A DOUBLE that was both poignant and memorable saw the honours go to Timmy Hyde who picked up both bumpers on the card. The first of these came courtesy of the four-year-old Feelin’ Groovy who bolted up under the trainer’s 16-year-old grandson, Tim.
This was a fourth ride on the track for the transition year student, who had guided Feelin’ Groovy to a trio of third-place finishes in recent months, and from early in the straight an initial success looked assured.
The winning jockey had his mount nicely placed on the inner as the runners neared the turn-in and Feelin’ Groovy (9/2) nipped through to take charge of this race. The son of Mastercraftsman then surged clear for a resounding eight-length triumph over The Big Galloper and this allowed the rider to emulate both his father and grandfather, both of whom had previously ridden winners on the track.
“It’s great for Tim and he’s gotten a great kick out of it I’d say,” said the winning trainer. “This horse might head for a winners’ bumper and then he’ll go hurdling. He’s a good jumper.”
Hyde then struck with Kelp Forest, also in the colours of his wife Trish, as the Arcadio gelding accounted for a couple of useful previous winners in the two-mile bumper. Formerly trained by William Codd, who passed away last month, the 14/1 chance travelled notably well for Stephen Connor.
When Warlike Intent gave best turning for home, Kelp Forest emerged as the clear threat to the odds-on Clinton Hill and the Hyde inmate was going appreciably better at this stage. Kelp Forest then responded to pressure in the closing stages to see off Clinton Hill by three-quarters of a length.
“My thoughts are with poor William Codd who trained him and always thought he was a good horse,” declared Hyde. “For whatever reason he wasn’t at his best on his last couple of runs but he did run very well in the four-year-old bumper at the Punchestown Festival last year when he didn’t enjoy the clearest of runs,” declared Hyde.
Gordon Elliott’s three-strong assault on the five-runner four-year-old conditions hurdle paid dividends but only just as Pete So High somehow pulled victory out of the fire. The Gigginstown House Stud-owned runner didn’t look the most enthusiastic participant when he came under strong pressure with two to jump and he ceded valuable momentum to Randalls Ur Poet at the final flight.
The latter seemed sure to score when he moved on early on the run-in but Jack Kennedy conjured a late charge from Pete So High who scrambled home by a short-head. The front two came together a couple of times in the straight but a stewards’ enquiry made no change to the placings. The 11/10 favourite Commentariolus was two and a half lengths away in third.
“He wore cheekpieces the last day but was too keen in them so we left them off him and he settled better,” remarked Elliott’s assistant Davy Condon. “He wouldn’t be mad about that gluey ground either and he should do better on good ground.”
Castafiore Park (4/6) continued a good run for Bryan Cooper and Paul Nolan with a smooth success in the two-mile, five-furlong mares’ maiden hurdle. The Philip Byrne-owned daughter of Walk In The Park had been placed on three of her first four racecourse outings and looked a class apart on those efforts.
Cooper made the running on the six-year-old who sauntered clear from the second last for a resounding 11 lengths triumph.
“She’s done that well,” declared Nolan. “She’ll go handicapping and we’ll try to stick to mares’ company and we’ll leave chasing until next season.”
EFFORT
There was a reversal for odds-on punters in the other maiden hurdle as The Granson (7/4) came home alone after the last flight fall of the Elliott-trained Crezic. The Denis Hogan-trained and ridden The Granson, who is owned by Padraig Coffey, made the running as he looked to build on some decent efforts in bumpers and maiden hurdles.
This two-mile contest looked to be going to The Granson at the second last but a rallying Crezic had improved to hold every chance when he crashed out at the final flight. This left Hogan’s mount to finish 10 lengths ahead of Buck A Trend.
“My horses was hanging in the straight and thank God for the stand’s side rail. I don’t know what would have happened had Gordon’s horse stood up but I know my lad stays going,” reflected Hogan. “Hopefully we can find a rated novice hurdle for him now.”
Princess Mahler gave John Joe Walsh his first winner of 2018 in the two-mile mares’ handicap hurdle. The six-year-old was returning to the fray three months after a close second at Tramore and she duly built on that promise.
Rachael Blackmore produced Princess Mahler to lead at the second last and the 3/1 shot recovered well from a final flight error to hold Bracklin Princess by a length and a quarter.
“She was a bit unlucky at Tramore last time but she’s done that well and I’m pleased for the syndicate who are from Dublin (Curb Your Enthusiasm Syndicate) and they’ve had to wait a while for this,” declared Walsh. “She’s not the biggest but she’ll be a grand mare for the summer.”
Fresh from saddling his biggest winner to date with Goulane Chosen at Gowran Park earlier this month, Seamus Spillane stuck with Ballea Fox in the 80-95 rated three-mile handicap hurdle. The Noel Hanley-owned gelding, who was running for just the fifth time, wasn’t ignored in the betting and was returned at 16/1 having been 50/1 earlier in the day.
Barry John Foley and Ballea Fox left the favourite Goodthynemilan toiling in vain from the second last and the victorious duo crossed the line with nine lengths to spare.
“The step up to three miles and the first-time tongue tie helped him. I was hoping he’d be in the first four today and he’s a horse who would always like a cut in the ground,” reported the trainer’s son, Denis.
Acting Stewards
J. Moloney, J. McGuire, J. Osborne, Ms. F. Ward, H. Hynes
Horse To Follow
BUCK A TREND (J.D. Dullea): This Getaway six-year-old ran quite respectably to take second in the maiden hurdle won by The Granson. This was the second time in four starts that he has reached the frame and he could improve again.
Free entry
COMMENDABLY Limerick announced during this fixture that it would be free entry to their rearranged Wednesday card. This is an initiative that other tracks would do very well to consider implementing under similar circumstances.