WHILE various horses were warming up for Royal Ascot at the Curragh, Batts Rock may well have completed his own preparations with victory in the Molson Coors Maiden Hurdle.
The 124-rated gelding had been placed on five of his previous six outings over timber and justified his position as the 2/5 favourite for this two and a quarter-mile contest. The six-year-old’s jumping wasn’t all that fluent but when Davy Russell asked him to assert in the closing stages he responded well to pull half a dozen lengths clear of Ificudiwud.
“He’s owned by Noel and Valerie Moran who sponsor the yard and have a few horses with us including Swingbridge so it’s great to get another winner for them,” stated Elliott.
“His jumping can let him down sometimes but he’ll be going back on the flat shortly and if he gets into it we might send him for the Ascot Stakes next.”
Batts Rock and Davy Russell (right) jump into the lead to win the Milson Coors Maiden Hurdle from Ificudiwud / Healy Racing
O’Brien’s club
Elliott also supplied the favourite, Global Society, in the Molson Coors-sponsored bumper but he had to give best to Joseph O’Brien’s Centaur. This son of Canford Cliffs finished a couple of places behind the market leader when they met at Down Royal several weeks previously but comprehensively reversed that form to prevail by two and a half lengths.
Tom Hamilton was on board the 7/1 shot who is owned by the Joseph O’Brien Racing Club.
NEWRY trainer Sean McParlan sent out his first winner on the track since July 2016 as Hi Murphy justified 5/2 favouritism in the Frank Fitzsimmons Memorial Hunters Chase. A winner of three point-to-points this season and second in a hunter chase at Cork over Easter, the Peter Murphy-owned seven-year-old was kept close to the pace by Declan Lavery and the pair got the better of a lengthy tussle with the recent course scorer My Oakclahome.
After landing the opener at the Curragh, Jessica Harrington then followed up with the Robbie Power-ridden Thegoaheadman (7/1) in the Tote Supporting Downpatrick Handicap Hurdle. The 106-rated son of Jeremy went to the front before two out and defeated the strong-travelling Dynamic Allen by a length and a quarter.
DECLAN Lavery was given a one-day whip suspension for his effort on Hi Murphy in the hunter chase.
AFTER winning a handicap hurdle at this track several weeks ago, Keith Watson’s Manomine (5/1) made a victorious return to Downpatrick in the Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Hurdle to give jockey Darragh O’Keeffe his first winner of the season.
The 10-year-old made the running and finished eight lengths ahead of Balgowlah. Manomine, who is owned by Jimmy Matthews, has found a new lease of life since springing a surprise under Kate Kelly in the charity race at the Punchestown Festival.
Pat’s Pearl (6/1), who chased home Manomine here last time, made a winning start over fences in the Joe Rea Memorial Beginners Chase which was confined to horses rated 102 or less over hurdles.
John McConnell’s charge turned in a very willing effort under Ryan Treacy after moving to the front with three to jump. At the line the Pauline Conlon-owned daughter of Kalanisi had half a length to spare. This was Treacy’s first ride for the trainer.
Another horse to build on a recent second at this track was Canadian Steel in the 0-102 rated Racing TV Handicap Chase. Noel Kelly’s charge was an 8/1 chance to build on that second to Well Joey several weeks previously and he seized control of this near three-mile contest before the second last fence to score by 13 lengths.
Jody McGarvey was on board the 10-year-old who was recording the first success of his career.