AS expected, Yorkhill got his chasing career off to a successful start as the day’s star attraction enjoyed a leisurely introduction to the larger obstacles in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Beginners Chase.
An outstanding novice hurdler last term, the Willie Mullins charge is unquestionably a stellar recruit to fences and that was reflected in his starting price of 1/8. This two-mile assignment was an ultimately very straightforward one for the Andrea and Graham Wylie-owned gelding, who Ruby Walsh sent to the front at a relatively early stage.
Notably, Yorkhill did show a tenancy to go left at a number of his fences but he was, nonetheless, in control at all stages. Burgas, who kept him company throughout, was shrugged aside well before the last as the Cheltenham Festival hero sauntered clear to finish with 14 lengths to spare.
“He showed that he has huge scope for jumping fences and I thought that was a good performance for his first run,” said Mullins. “I don’t mind if horses jump left at their fences when they have an engine like he does. He took a keen hold but he wasn’t rushing his fences which was good to see. We know that he will have no trouble stepping up in trip but I’m not sure there’s any need to as we know he’s very good at this trip.”
Minella Till Dawn built on the substantial promise of his debut second at Punchestown last month in the two and a half-mile maiden hurdle. In the face of sustained support for the French import Al Boum Photo, the winning pointer went off the second choice in the market at 5/4 but he turned in a display of class and courage. From the second last he was locked in combat with his aforementioned rival and Castlegrace Paddy and he gamely answered Mark Walsh’s promptings. A fine jump at the last had the J.P. McManus-owned gelding disputing the lead and he kept on well to defeat Castlegrace Paddy by a length.
“He’s a big, raw horse who wants a bit of time and Mark felt that he was still quite green,” commented Gordon Elliott. “He’s a staying chaser for the future and we’ll keep it small with him.”
RESILIENCE
A decent three-mile beginner’s chase went to A Genie In Abottle (2/1), who again showed his liking for an exacting stamina test. Fresh from a neck second to Martello Tower a fortnight previously, the Gigginstown House Stud-owned runner made most of the running for Bryan Cooper. The Beneficial gelding was being niggled along sooner than a number of his rivals but he responded well and one by one his challengers gave way. The odds-on Mall Dini was dealt with after two out and then Blazer was held having looked as though he was coming with a whirlwind charge. At the line, A Genie In Abottle had five and a half lengths to spare.
“You couldn’t have it far enough or soft enough for him but he does go on better ground too,” observed Meade. “He might be a horse for the four-mile at Cheltenham but we’ll see. I haven’t spoken to the lads yet but there is a three mile Grade 3 novice chase at Naas next month which would look suitable.”
Gavin Cromwell could have another quality juvenile hurdler on his hands in Prospectus (16/1) who turned over the odds-on Dakota Moirette in the three-year-old maiden hurdle. The former Hughie Morrison horse, who cost 20,000 guineas at the Tattersalls Autumn Horses In Training Sale, made a seamless transition to this discipline. Jonathan Moore’s mount was the only danger to the favourite from the turn-in and it wasn’t long before he began to assert.
After clearing the last, the McAlpine Syndicate-owned gelding went on to pull a dozen lengths clear. Moore stepped in for the ride on the winner with Keith Donoghue unable to do the weight
“I was worried about his fitness and I’m surprised he won the way he did but I did like him,” stated Cromwell of the gelding whose owners, the McAlpine Syndicate, include former world one-arm golf champion Brendan Swan as well as Dave Keena and Denis Kirwan. “We’ll look at Leopardstown where he’ll get an entry in the Grade 2 juvenile hurdle.”
Although he was out of luck with Mall Dini, owner Philip Reynolds did see his colours carried to victory as Tuzo (10/1) showed marked progress from a recent outing at this track to win the near three-mile handicap hurdle. The Davy Russell-ridden gelding relished this trip and having led before two out, Tuzo stayed on stoutly in the closing stages to defeat Incitatum by five and a half lengths.
“He had a lot of problems last year when his jumping was terrible but his problems seem to be behind him,” commented Paul Nolan. “He jumped a bit big and I do think that he will be a better chaser. He’ll probably go for one of the Pertemps Qualifiers at Leopardstown or Punchestown.”
BACK TO FORM
All The Chimneys (10/1) returned to the form that carried him to a pair of victories last season as he claimed the 80-109 rated two-mile handicap hurdle. A first winner since May for jockey Eamonn Corbett, the Willie Austin-trained gelding did battle with Another Challenge from early in the straight. The last-named was a tenacious rival but had to give best on the run in as the Tadhg Hogan-owned seven-year-old prevailed by three-parts of a length.
“He’ll go to Limerick over Christmas and when he gets too high over hurdles we have the option of going handicapping over fences. He loves two miles and hopefully he’ll be able to win another for us,” reported Austin.
Pat Fahy’s Awayinthewest (20/1-10/1) was a thoroughly convincing winner of the Irish Stallion Farms EBF 4-Y-O Fillies Flat Race. The daughter of Getaway quickened into a good lead for Richie Deegan early in the straight and kept up a relentless gallop to finish seven and a half lengths clear of the newcomer Classic Theatre.
“She’s shown promise in all her bumpers and this was the first winter ground we got,” reflected Fahy, who trains the filly for the Good As Gold Syndicate. “She’s a lovely filly who reminds me a lot of Storm Gem, who won nine races for me a few years ago. I wouldn’t rule out going for a winner’s bumper.”
ACTING STEWARDS
C.P. Magnier, T. Hunt, M.C. Hickey, T. Breen, P.D. Matthews
HORSE TO FOLLOW
CASTLEGRACE PADDY (P.A. Fahy): This Flemensfirth gelding showed he had progressed very well from his debut run when taking second in the decent looking maiden hurdle won by Minella Till Dawn. It won’t be long before he is registering his first success.