JUMP racing returned to Fairyhouse for the first time this autumn and Riviere D’Etel enlivened the home of the Irish Grand National with an impressive start to her chasing career in the Return Of The Jumps Mares Beginners Chase.
Trained by Gordon Elliott for Bective Stud, the daughter of Martaline was a decent juvenile hurdler last season and was sent off the 4/7 favourite here against six rivals.
Cruising
Jack Kennedy had her in front soon after the first fence and she put in a fine round of jumping before cruising clear after the last to beat Jeremys Flame by a facile 11 lengths.
“She jumped great and settled well in front. Jack said he got a great spin and she was as good a leaper as he’s rode over fences. She settled better than she did last year which was a help,” said Elliott’s assistant Ian ‘Busty’ Amond.
Elliott double
Elliott went on to complete a double in the Irish EBF Supporting Treo Eile Mares Maiden Hurdle where Glan (9/4) just got the better of fellow dual bumper winner Jeremys Jewel. Mark Walsh’s mount jumped to the front at the penultimate flight and needed to be ridden right out to the line to hold on by a head.
Owner J.P. McManus’ racing manager Frank Berry said: “She hurdled great today and just lasted home. She’s a nice little filly and likes the good ground. She’s game and maybe we’ll find a winners-of-one for her.”
Russian Diamond sparkles over fences as luck improves
RUSSIAN Diamond also whet the appetite of jumping fans with a decisive victory in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Beginners Chase. The 8/1 chance had previously been a bit frustrating over fences but Brian Hayes sent Annette Mee’s gelding to the front straight from flagfall and he took control in the straight to beat Port Stanley by five and a half lengths.
Winning trainer Emmet Mullins said: “He’s been unlucky over fences so far with a few silly falls and was unseated last weekend through no fault of his own. We might stay going depending on the ground for a while longer but I’m sure he’ll be targeted at Galway for some race next summer.”
The other race over fences on the card, the Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Chase over an extended two miles and seven furlongs, provided an exciting finish with Arrycan getting up close home at odds of 10/1 to deny the front-running Lord Lariat by half a length.
“The ground is key to him and Eoin (Walsh) got him into a lovely rhythm. They went a good pace and he jumped like a buck,” said trainer Liam Cusack. “The weather will dictate where we go. He could be aimed at the opportunity handicap chase at Leopardstown over Christmas.
“I’m delighted for the lads (Shannon Street Syndicate).
“Some of them were involved with Bog War who was a good servant to the yard and for some of them it’s their first horse. They are from around the Mountrath area and they will celebrate tonight in Eddie Kirwan’s in Mountrath.”
EXCELCIUS recorded his third win (two hurdles/one flat) in as many months when defying top weight in the Welcome Back To Fairyhouse Handicap Hurdle. Sean O’Keeffe’s mount asserted approaching the last and kept on well on the run-in to beat Cottie by a length and a quarter.
“He’s five and he’s only getting strong now. Soft ground kills him as he’s a real summer horse. He can go chasing and he’ll probably win another one or two on the flat,” said Tom Mullins who trains the gelding for his wife Helen.
“He dwelt in the stalls in the ladies race at the Curragh the last day and never got into it. He likes to be ridden handy and is good and honest. He’s in the Horses-In-Training Sale in Doncaster and may go there.”
Smooth Fellow
Ambitious Fellow, trained by Peter Fahey for the OGB Partnership, is also on the market after justifying 6/4 favouritism in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Auction Flat Race.
The son of Fame And Glory made smooth headway to lead early in the straight and got well on top inside the final furlong to score by a convincing five and a half lengths under Derek O’Connor.
“He put out a couple of splints after his first run at Punchestown and we are only getting him back going now. He’s a nice horse and anything he does at home he does well. He came on a good bit from his run in Kilbeggan,” said Fahey before adding, “He handled that ground today but is not ground dependant and will handle a good cut in it. He’s a nice strong horse and jumps well. He’ll go over hurdles now if he’s not sold.”
Coolnacritta in control
Fahey’s cousin Mark was also on the scoresheet when sending out Coolnacritta, owned by the JCB Partnership, to land division one of the Book Your Tickets For The Winter Festival Handicap Hurdle. The well-backed 5/4 favourite took control from two out to beat Paddy Wickla by three lengths.
“He’s been very straightforward since I got him and we learned a bit about him when he ran in Limerick the last day. Richie (Deegan) gave him a great ride,” said Fahey. “He’s entered up in Tramore on Thursday. We’ll see how he is and he might go down there. He wants good ground.”
Bouncing Pretty
The same Fahey/Deegan combination had to settle for the runner-up spot in division two where Pretty Little Liar (11/4) travelled strongly to lead early in the straight and drew clear on the run-in under Jordan Gainford to beat Inforapenny by an easy 10 lengths.
“She’s run a lot over the last six weeks but every time she’s come bouncing out of the race and she’s a good ground horse. She travelled nicely today and she’s unbelievable to jump. I might go for a beginners’ chase for horses rated below 102 but if the rain comes she’ll be getting a rest,” said trainer David Dunne. “Most of the owners (Pretty Boys Syndicate) are local and it’s great that they can be here.”