REST OF THE CARD

A THOROUGHLY well-deserved first graded success in just under two years came the way of Shaneshill in the Grade 2 John Mulhern Galmoy Hurdle, the centrepiece of a Willie Mullins four-timer.

A half length runner-up in last season’s RSA Chase, Shaneshill (9/4) also chased home Thistlecrack at Aintree and would have been closely involved in a Leopardstown Grade 1 last time only to fall at the last. These efforts higlighted the gelding’s capacity to land a good prize and he did so to bely his position as the stable second string under Paul Townend.

The Andrea and Graham Wylie-owned gelding was left in front when Milsean exited at the third. On the approach to two out Snow Falcon, De Plotting Shed and the favourite Clondaw Warrior were poised within a couple of lengths of the leader. However, Shaneshill kept on doggedly to defeat Snow Falcon by three-quarters of a length.

“He’s improving. Paul felt that the nicer ground suited him well whereas Ruby felt the ground was too soft for Clondaw Warrior,” commented Mullins. “He jumped fantastically and the race was run to suit him. I’d imagine the Stayers Hurdle would be his owner’s preferred target. I was disappointed with Clondaw Warrior but we know that he is better than that and he’ll improve back on better ground.”

BUMPER FAVOURITE

The Cheltenham Bumper favourite Getabird was a 1/10 winner of the concluding P.J. Foley Memorial Flat Race but not before he was given a fright by Hardline. This four-runner contest was run at a sedate pace before turning into a sprint for home over the last couple of furlongs.

Hardline threw down quite a strong challenge but the Patrick Mullins-ridden and Susannah Ricci-owned Getabird responded well and asserted in the last 150 yards to win by a length and a quarter.

“I thought that was a good performance considering they went very steady and it turned into a sprint. I think he’ll go straight to Cheltenham now,” said Mullins. “We know from Fairyhouse that he has plenty of stamina.’’

The day began well for the Mullins team as Bon Papa took advantage of a gilt edged opportunity in the Langton House Hotel Maiden Hurdle. The J.P. McManus-owned Fairyhouse bumper scorer was a faller when going well on his jumping debut at Cork earlier in the month and had absolutely no difficulty dropping back from three to two miles.

The 1/5 favourite jumped to the front for Barry Geraghty with two to jump and, without having to exert himself, he crossed the line four and a half lengths clear of Giant Spirit.

“He’s improving all the time. Earlier in the season I didn’t have him on the list to travel (Cheltenham) but he is now,” declared Mullins. “Whatever he does over hurdles this season we’d be looking forward to going chasing with him next season.”

Mullins then supplied another winner for McManus as the free-going but talented Great Field (3/1) won the PMF Accountants Beginners Chase on his first outing since March. On his first ride for the champion trainer, jockey Jody McGarvey made the running on the six-year-old who jumped boldly at times but took a few liberties as well.

Great Field made mistakes at the last three fences but when the chasing General Principle exited three out the leader was left well clear. He came home with seven and a half lengths to spare over the Cheltenham Festival winner Mall Dini.

“That was a good performance and I think he will be better on better ground and his jumping will improve too. We’ll keep him to this sort of trip,” observed Mullins.

Notwhatiam (20/1), whose chance didn’t go ignored beforehand, made light of his position as one of the longest priced runners in the field in the Martinstown Opportunity Handicap Hurdle. The Richie Rath inmate was always up with the pace for J.J. Slevin and, with very few of the runners getting involved over the last half-mile, he shook off Go It Alone in the straight to win by six and a half lengths.

“Myself and J.J. always thought a lot of this horse and he’s a real soft ground. We’ll probably give three weeks or so and then run him back. He should have a good future over fences,” stated Rath, who trains the winner for Seamus O’Connor.”

Fresh from landing a Tramore maiden hurdle at the start of the month, a much improved Adreamstillalive (9/2) struck again in the Ladbrokes-sponsored 0-102 rated handicap hurdle. The David Mullins-ridden frontrunner had the majority of her rivals in trouble turning for home and, while she did swish her tail in the closing stages, she maintained a decent lead to finish five and a half lengths ahead of Conna Cross.

“She did everything in her power to get rid of David when he first got up on her in the parade ring but she was good in the race,” remarked Henry de Bromhead. “The owners (One For Luck Racing Syndicate) are local to here so it’s great for them. She’s a big scopey mare and when she does go jumping fence you’d hope that she will be much better at that.”

Thyestes news

ROGUE Trader, who was pulled-up in the early stages of the Thyestes, was reported to have jumped poorly by Barry Geraghty. Joint-favourite Prince Of Scars was reported to have hung left throughout before pulling-up.

Also in the Thyestes, Cian Collins picked up a two-day whip ban for his efforts on the unplaced Roi Des Francs.

ACTING STEWARDS

Mrs J.O. Onions, V. Connolly, M.C. Hickey, M.F. O’Donoghue, P.F. Graffin

Horse To Follow

ORMSKIRK (G. Cromwell): He wasn’t at all disgraced in being beaten just over 12 lengths into seventh behind Adreamstillalive. He can improve on this.