GORDON Elliott continued on the crest of a wave as the master of Cullentra House added to his six winners last weekend with a treble on this eight-race card.
Woods Well set the ball rolling in the two-mile, five-furlong beginners’ chase with the Gigginstown-owned gelding gradually wearing down the front-running Thebarrowman in the straight for a five-length success under Jack Kennedy.
“He’s a grand honest horse who jumps well and is probably more a three-mile chaser. He might not be a graded horse and could be more of a handicapper,” said Elliott of the well-backed 2/1 chance.
The Elliott/Kennedy/Gigginstown combination were also on the mark in the INH Stallion Owners EBF Novice Hurdle as Monkshood justified odds-on support by seven lengths. The 4/5 shot drew clear from the last, where nearest rival Minella Beau was far from fluent, and Elliott said “He’s a big, honest, galloping horse. We might keep him for something like the three-mile novice hurdle at Limerick over Christmas. I like his attitude and hopefully he’ll be a nice horse.”
Davy Russell was full of praise for Elliott after Osco Mosco gained a hard-earned half-length win in the two-mile, four-furlong mares’ maiden hurdle. Nelius O’Keeffe’s four-year-old ended a run of second places as the 15/8 favourite got the better of A Hardy Nailer on the run-in, and Russell said: “How Gordon has got her to run so consistent for so long is a wonder to me. She’s not a lot to look at and her work wouldn’t excite you.”
Elliott commented, “She’s honest and she tries, and she deserved it. She makes it hard on herself the whole time but I’m delighted with that.”
Russell heads the jump jockeys championship on the 67-winner mark, six ahead of Ruby Walsh, as he was also successful on Mind’s Eye in the two-mile maiden hurdle.
The Stowaway gelding, who was strong in the market as fellow Gigginstown-owned Blow By Blow proved friendless after a lengthy lay-off, led before the last to beat Quick Grabim by half a length, with Blow By Blow just under two lengths further back in third. The trio all went off as 2/1 co-favourites.
Winning trainer Henry de Bromhead said: “Davy gave him a super ride and he’s a horse we have always liked. He jumped well, and showed a nice turn of foot after the second last. There is a rated novice hurdle on John Durkan day (at Punchestown) that he could go for and he’s a real chaser like a lot of ours.”
Blast Of Koeman took full advantage of his rivals misfortune to take the rated novice chase. Trained by Robert Tyner for the Inittowinit Syndicate, the 3/1 joint-favourite headed front-runner Robin Des Mana soon after the last to win by nearly three lengths and winning rider Phillip Enright said: “Most of his dangers fell. Mark Walsh (on Uaintseenothingyet) looked to be travelling well when he fell at the second last and (fellow joint-favourite) La Bella Vida went earlier which made it easier. He got a lovely tow into the race and progressed well from his first run over fences. He’s a horse that always had a turn of foot and he winged the last.”
Enthusiastic Co Kilkenny handler Michelle Gannon was in jubilant form after Erkindale Lady (25/1-14/1) gained a dramatic victory in the two-mile, seven-furlong handicap chase. Dinnie’s Vinnie looked sure to score when at least three lengths clear after the last but the 5/1 favourite was pegged back in the final strides by J.J. Slevin’s mount.
“We’ve had a lot of luck at Fairyhouse. I rode her mother to win here 10 years ago, and her half-sister Missyspet won twice here,” said Gannon.
“Bill Kyne has leased her in partnership with me. He’s not too well at the moment so I’m delighted for him. J.J. always kept saying to me she wants further, and she’s tough out. All the family are very tough and honest.”
Coincidentally her half-brother A Genie In Abottle also won a beginners chase at Fairyhouse last season.
The two divisions of the two-mile, four-furlong handicap hurdle were bookmaker friendly results, with Queeny (16/1) recording her third win in the past 12 months in division one. Trained by Ronnie O’Leary for Paul Hillis (from Bannow, Co Wexford), the grey daughter of Milan finished strongly to beat Be My Vinnie by a length and three-quarters.
Winning rider Ricky Doyle said: “Her last run was her first since a wind operation. She’s a bit moody and can either win or be very disappointing. She is very good to jump but hates having anything on her outside. It suited to be out there as the best of the ground was on the outside. Everything just went right today.”
Shark Hanlon enjoyed a welcome change of fortune when Ali Bin Nayef took division two at 33/1. After the five-year-old stretched clear on the run-in for Rachael Blackmore to beat Brosna George by four lengths, the Bagnelstown trainer said: “The pair of cheekpieces worked on him. He has plenty of ability but getting it out of him is the problem. The lads (Meadows Racing Club) are from Thurles and normally come racing but they are going to Cheltenham early in the morning.
“They are all happy as they had a few quid each-way on him. I think I’ve had 12 seconds since my last winner so I just wanted a winner.”
Suspensions
LIAM Gilligan was suspended seven days for weighing out with a defective body protector on In A Pinch in division one of the two-mile, four-furlong handicap hurdle.
Sean Flanagan was suspended one day for using his whip above shoulder height on Princess Lara in the mares’ maiden hurdle.
ACTING STEWARDS
C.P. Magnier, L. McFerran, R.J. McSharry, E. Galvin, P.D. Matthews
HORSE TO FOLLOW
QUICK GRABIM (W.P. Mullins): He didn’t enjoy the clearest of passages early in the straight but came home well on his hurdle debut, and should do well next time.