AFTER fine efforts in two of the biggest handicap chases of the season, the Gearoid O’Loughlin-trained Mitchouka secured the decent prize that his talents merited in the Grade B TRI Equestrian Handicap Chase.
After a creditable sixth in the Paddy Power Chase and a fifth to A Wave Of The Sea over two miles at the Dublin Racing Festival, the Chris Jones-owned gelding switched to the intermediate trip of an extended two miles, five furlongs.
The Leopardstown Chase third Livelovelaugh gave a tremendous exhibition from the front and didn’t deserve to lose. However, he was unable to hold off his fellow 100/30 joint-favourite on the run-in as Mitchouka stormed home under Ricky Doyle to lead in the last few strides.
“He’s a quirky little horse but we seem to have found the key to him. The secret is not to do too much with him,” said the delighted winning trainer. “Ricky rides him in his work and has been a massive help and my girlfriend Rebecca rides him every day. We’ll look at Punchestown and possibly aim at the Galway Plate with him.”
A memorable weekend for Francis Casey was rounded off by Max Flamingo (11/2) who gave the trainer his second winner in as many days in the Donohoe Marquees Maiden Hurdle over two and a half miles.
This Kalanisi gelding was placed in maidens at Downpatrick and Thurles in the autumn and rewarded the decision to keep him under wraps until the ground improved.
On his first outing since mid-November, the six-year-old struck the front before the last for Denis O’Regan and went on to defeat Barbary Master by three and a quarter lengths.
The 114-rated winner is owned and bred by the trainer’s mother June.
“He’s a very honest horse who will stay further and he will probably go to Fairyhouse over Easter for a novice handicap over three miles,” commented Casey, who has just three horses under his care.
Dynamite does it
The Fairyhouse and Punchestown Festivals are on the horizon for the 150-rated French Dynamite who took advantage of a simple opportunity to defeat two over-matched rivals and justify 1/7 favouritism in the Seamus Meade Hurdle over two and a quarter miles.
His season began with an excellent second in the Lismullen Hurdle and the Robcour-owned gelding made a few mistakes but he still won by a comfortable nine lengths under Robbie Power.
“It was a good opportunity and Robbie felt that the couple he didn’t jump well were down to the shadows,” stated Mouse Morris.
“We’ll look at Fairyhouse for him now and a longer trip would suit him better.”
Dramatic finale
gifts race to
Dark Raven
THE day reached a dramatic conclusion with the TRI Superstore (Pro/Am) INH Flat Race where Lake Winnipesaukee, who held a commanding lead at the time, took the wrong course as the runners approached the straight.
Victory in this four-year-old only affair went to a smart-looking newcomer in Dark Raven (5/2) who struck for Willie and Patrick Mullins. This Patrick McCormack-owned son of Malinas led early in the straight and picked up smartly to go clear and defeat Silas Marner by seven and a half lengths.
“We hadn’t asked him too many questions at home so I was pleasantly surprised he could do that. He might have been a bit fortuitous with the one in front running out,” declared Mullins who is eyeing the valuable Tattersalls Ireland George Mernagh Memorial Sales Bumper on Easter Sunday as the next target for his charge.
The unfortunate Aaron Fahey brought his mount, Lake Winnipesaukee, on to the chase course which ended the pair’s involvement and resulted in the rider being hit with a 14-day suspension after the stewards were of the opinion that he was negligent by his misjudgement of the correct course for this race.
The rider reported that his saddle had slipped forward, that his mount had been too strong to ride and through a lack of energy he was unable to steer his mount around the final bend on to the correct course.
Illusion back
The former Irish Cesarewitch winner Royal Illusion (8/13) was also on the mark for Mullins in the TRM Equine Nutrition Mares Maiden Hurdle. This Ballylinch Stud-owned daughter of King’s Theatre had shaped up well to be third to Delvino on her hurdling debut three months previously.
Paul Townend sent her to the front with two to jump and the pair quickly eased clear en route to a five-and-a- half-length triumph over Sweet Street.
“Paul said the drying ground was a huge help and I’ll look towards the spring festivals with her and she could go back on the flat in the summer,” remarked Mullins. The stewards reversed the placings of the fourth and fifth-placed runners with jockey James O’Sullivan picking up a three-day careless riding ban for his efforts on Moonlit Wings (demoted to fifth).
A 122-day absence from the track was no barrier to success to the Padraig Roche-trained Steer Clear (100/30) who made it two wins from his last three starts in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Rated Novice Chase over an extended two miles.
Mark Walsh was able to control this race from the front on the J.P. McManus-owned front-runner who asserted in good style from the last to the line to pull seven lengths clear.
“He just had a bit of a setback after his last run but he loves that ground. Mark said he jumps and gallops,” reflected trainer Padraig Roche.
Commanche charge
Sean Flanagan and trainer Adrian Murray have enjoyed an industrious association this season and they combined for another success with She’s Commanche (9/1) in the Anton O’Toole Mares Handicap Hurdle.
Off a 10lb higher mark than when scoring at Fairyhouse in October and on her third outing since then, the daughter of Getaway cruised to the front before the last flight and she went on to prevail by seven lengths.