KYLECRUE gained the 12th racecourse win of his career in the Faber Audiovisuals Handicap Hurdle at Galway on Sunday where owner/trainer John Ryan later expressed interest in taking his prolific winner to the Paddy Power Chase at Cheltenham in November.
The son of Gold Well, who actually began his career with a debut point-to-point win at Ryan’s own Templemore point-to-point track in April 2013, made all the running under Conor Brassil, to record a length and a half success over Prospectus.
Ryan commented: “He’s a proper class horse and those other horses were never going to pass him. He has a bit of class and is as tough as teak.
“He was left off for the summer and he’s only getting going now and is a soft ground, two-mile, four-furlong horse. He has won 12 races now and also won his point-to-point first time out. He has been campaigned lightly this year, particularly because he is getting older, and will now go for a big handicap. He could go on to Cheltenham (in November) for the Paddy Power Chase.
“He has a great pedigree and the dam is related to Willie Mullins’ good novice hurdler Adamant Approach and he has the speed and class.”
ENRIGHT DOUBLE
Riding honours on the card went to jockey Philip Enright who recorded a double, beginning with Midnight Stroll, for his employer Robert Tyner, in the opening Tattersalls Ireland EBF Auction Maiden Hurdle.
Backed from 7/1 on track in to 11/2, the Brendan Keogh-owned winner had shaken off Allardyce jumping the final flight and in the end held staying on Cosmo’s Moon by one and three-quarter lengths.
Tyner later said: “He settled a bit better today as he was a little bit keen the last day at Gowran, when he was fresh and well in himself. He jumped adequate today and did it nicely. This race was worth €20,000 and was almost as good as winning a bumper and maiden hurdle. He can’t get rated too high for winning that type of race.”
An hour later, Enright was again on the scoresheet as he steered the John Joe Walsh-trained Hard Bought to win the Renvyle House Hotel Handicap Chase for T. Tynan.
Hard Bought improved to lead three out and although he edged left briefly on the run-in, held runner-up First To Boogie by a length at the line. The stewards later called an enquiry but left the result unchanged.
Trainer Walsh reported: “He went well and jumped great and that’s his trip. Maybe it was a bit quick for him at Clonmel the last day and Philip gave him a great ride today.
“We put cheekpieces on him today and maybe it woke him up a little bit more. Hopefully, he’ll win again and we’ll get something else for him along the line.”
Another to record a Galway double was the Henry de Bromhead trained Calino D’Airy who gained his second course and distance win in 19 days when landing the Sanserv Rated Novice Chase under jockey J.J. Slevin for Gigginstown House Stud.
The 6/4 favourite made all to beat Don’t Tell No One by two and a half lengths and, with de Bromhead absent, jockey Slevin later commented: “I was delighted to get the ride and he is a nice horse for the future and jumps savage. He has won his point-to-point and is a good gutsy horse who got a bit lonely up the hill.
“He is a good jumper who is definitely capable of stepping up in grade.”
ELLIOTT LOSS
Half an hour later, Calino D’Airy’s owners Gigginstown House Stud were on the mark again but this time in tragic circumstances as their winner Lucky Pass (4/7 favourite) collapsed shortly after passing the winning line. The Keith Donoghue ridden winner was subsequently reported to have broken a shoulder and was as a result put down.
Talented Lucky Pass’ loss was the third such loss for his trainer Gordon Elliott in recent weeks, following the cruel losses of stable stars Mega Fortune and Fayonagh. Lucky Pass died the unbeaten winner of his four races, having previously won his point-to-point for Brian Hamilton and two 2015 bumpers when in the care of Willie Mullins.
Gallahers Cross was another debut point-to-point winner to score on his first try on the racecourse, landing the concluding galwayraces.com (Pro-Am) Bumper for trainer Peter Fahey and jockey Katie Walsh.
The well-backed 7/4 joint-favourite showed plenty of ability in scoring a six and a half lengths win over Monstrosity and, afterwards, Fahey revealed: “He won his point-to-point well and is a cracking horse. More than likely he will go to the sales at Cheltenham in November and I’d love to keep him in the yard but we’ll see what happens. Roger Loughran did a lot with him and pre-trained him before he came to me and he had previously won his point-to-point for Sandra Hughes.
“He’s owned by Sean and Jerry Bell, from Kildare and both are farriers; Jerry was a farrier with Dessie Hughes and Sean is farrier with Kevin Prendergast.”
Trainer Willie Austin and 7lb-claiming jockey Chris Meehan were on the mark in the swordsecurity.com Handicap Hurdle with 12/1 chance Crack On Corrie, in the colours of the Four Aces Racing Club.
The distant relation to Danoli, whom Austin bred, was recording her debut win at the 14th attempt and afterwards the trainer said: “It was nearly time for her to win and has been a bit frustrating but she was wrong the last day in Listowel. She’ll get another one of those low-grade handicaps and she’s still well-in. Chris (Meehan) had never ridden for me before.”
Acting Stewards
D. Pugh, S. McDonogh, A. Ryan, D. Gavin, P.D. Matthews
Horse To Follow
COSMO’S MOON (R. McNamara): He finished second on his hurdles debut in the opener and looks well capable of winning a maiden hurdle soon.