LOCAL kingpin Willie Mullins was double-handed in the inaugural running of the Listed Pat Walsh Memorial Mares Hurdle at Gowran Park yesterday and his two runners Daisy’s Gift and Whiteout duly finished first and second but not in the order that was expected.
The lesser-fancied of the pair Daisy’s Gift, with Paul Townend in the saddle, was the one who came out on top at a price of 13/2 when finding more for pressure to defeat the 5/4 favourite Whiteout by half a length. They pulled seven lengths clear of Collen Beag in third.
Nigel King from Nottingham, who has had four horses with Mullins over the years, all of which have won, is the successful owner. Townend reflected: “She did it well and the ground (officially good) probably suited her. They went a nice gallop and she stays well. It was a bit of a surprise, beating the other one but everything panned out well for her.”
Baily Cloud made a successful return to action in the Racing Again Tomorrow Maiden Hurdle when registering a very taking display, making every yard of the running in the hands of Bryan Cooper to score by a snug four length margin from Rathmuck Native. Market leader Stuccador had no more to offer between the final two obstacles and had to settle for third place.
The 2/1 winner races in the familiar green and orange colours of Mouse Morris’s Northern patron Adam Scott and had been absent for seven months.
“I just thought he might blow up when he made it,” the trainer said. “He ran well in top class races last year but I just didn’t think he’d win. He still has a bit to do to fill out and will make a nice chaser. He’ll stay hurdling this season.”
Jockey Paddy Kennedy and Monastervin trainer Paul Fahey have endured their share of setbacks but bounced back when combining for a four and a quarter length success with 8/1 chance Do Try Dolly in the Follow Gowran Park On Facebook Handicap Hurdle.
The rider has had the misfortune to break his leg three times and this was his first winner since Jetson obliged 20 months ago.
Fahey has care of the seven-year-old mare for the New Booleigh Deere Syndicate made up of agricultural contractors from Ballon and Nurney who were unable to attend due to work commitments.
“She’s a great little servant and that’s Paddy’s first winner for me,” said the trainer. “He’s very obliging and I’m glad to give him a winner after all his mishaps. If the weather stays right she’ll keep going and we’ll be aiming for a two mile handicap in Dundalk. ”
Prince Kup, from the Edward O’Grady stable, made it third time lucky in the Thomastown Maiden Hurdle when quickening up nicely for Andrew Lynch from the final flight to beat Holy Water by three and a half lengths.
The 15/8 favourite is owned by the Loumar Partnership made up of the trainer’s wife Maria and Louise Fitzpatrick from Dublin and O’Grady remarked: “That’s the first winner for the partnership and they have a couple of horses they’re hoping to have fun with and trade on.
“He obviously came on from Listowel and there’s still a possibility that he could run back in a flat race.”
Newmarket-on-Fergus handler Pat Lynch saddled the former Jim Bolger inmate Freedom Square for a three-quarter length win in the Dining Packages @www.Gowranpark.ie 80-95 Handicap Hurdle.
The unconsidered 20/1 shot came from well off the pace under Ger Fox, deputising for Shane Shortall who was concussed in a fall at Clonmel the previous day, to lift the prize in the last strides. The well-supported favourite Turfjager was a big disappointment here, finishing second last.
Lynch trains the four-year-old, who took his chance in the 2013 Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot, for his neighbour Gearoid O’Loughlin, an amateur rider. He commented: “He was on his last chance today because he’s been working well and we couldn’t get over why he was running so bad. That’s the only way to ride him and Ger switched him off and he did it well.”
Castleblaney trainer Anthony McCann teamed up with 3lb claimer Jody McGarvey to capture the Book Goffs Thyestes Packages Today 80-102 Handicap Hurdle with Rita Shah’s Authorative (12/1) who gained the upper hand in the closing stages for a three-quarters of a length win over the favourite Steel Wave.
“We knew he was well in himself coming here and I’m lucky to have Rita’s full support behind me,” was the trainer’s post-race comment. “We put a new woodchip gallop in 10 weeks ago and it’s starting to pay off. This horse is pretty versatile and that’s Jody’s first winner for us.”
The father and son partnership of Willie and Patrick Mullins signed off with a facile success via Snag List in the Join Gowran Park Golf Club (Pro/Am) INH Flat Race.
The 1/3 favourite is owned and was bred by Ballylinch Stud manager John O’Connor and she strolled home by two lengths from Faraway Mountain.
Mullins, jnr. observed: “She did what she was showing us at home and I didn’t want to hit the front too soon. She’s only small so I don’t know if she’d handle heavy ground but she’ll win plenty of races.”
ACTING STEWARDS:
N.P. Lambert, N.B. Wachman, M. Hillman, P. Coveney, P.D. Matthews.
HORSES TO FOLLOW
JEREMY’S JET (A. J. Martin): Ran an eye-catching race in the two mile maiden hurdle and could be an interesting contendor when he makes his handicap debut.