MOST of the bigger jumping yards were in action at Limerick on Saturday and the feature on the seven-race card, the €20,000 Limerick GAA Chase, was won by the Henry De Bromhead trained, Gigginstown House Stud owned Attribution, who won under 5lb claimer J.J. Slevin.
The son of Alhaarth was chasing 4/9 favourite Ballyoisin for much of the way and, having moved past that rival approaching the home straight, went on to score a three and a quarter-length win.
De Bromhead, whose Stars Over The Sea was first-past-the-post in the controversial voided race at Killarney on Thursday, wasn’t present but Slevin later commented: “He (Attribution) is game, tough and honest and he jumps. He had loads left but got lairy in front and it’s great to get the win.
“At the top of the hill, he (Ballyoisin) was in trouble as he went very quick and won four days ago and that might have taken its toll on him, as he is a very very good horse. My lad is no slouch either and was only 5lbs wrong at the weights.”
Racing began with the Online At limerickraces.ie (M) Maiden Hurdle which was won by The Birdie Crowe, for trainer Jessica Harrington and jockey Mark Bolger.
The Bernadette Leigh-owned 8/11 favourite quickened clear of her rivals on the run-in for a four-length win over Joy’s Gift.
Bolger, who plays a big role in the Harrington yard, later said: ”she was probably entitled to do it after her run at Roscommon but is a winner of two bumpers, jumps very well and won easy there. I imagine they’ll have plenty of fun with her now.
“She has grown since last year, is stronger and a lot more mature and doesn’t run as keen. There’ll be plenty more to come from her.”
Darkest Flyer made a winning debut for former champion trainer Noel Meade in the Limerick Racecourse On Twitter Handicap Hurdle, scoring a comprehensive five and a half-length win under jockey Jonathan Moore.
Meade wasn’t present but Moore later reported: “in fairness to him, he was working well at home and we knew we were coming here with a live chance.
“The race probably fell apart a bit and I had him up handy and he won a bit cosier than it looked.
“Noel has has him a few months and, on his homework, he had a right chance. Hopefully he can improve for that again.”
Another former champion trainer, Edward O’Grady was also on the mark when his The West’s Awake landed the Michael English Plays July 27th Beginners Chase, under former champion jockey Paul Townend.
The John Magnier-owned the son of Yeats, (backed from 100/30 - 5/2f) scored a four-length win over Just Cause and O’Grady, who trained high-class chaser Nick Dundee for Magnier in the 1990s, later revealed: “I haven’t had a lot of runners recently but I’ve had seven seconds since my last winner. I was coming in from the yard this morning, after 6.30am and what was on the radio – The West’s Awake! I thought ‘there was an omen’.”
He added: “Paul (Townend) was very impressed with his jumping and he gave a lovely round so we’ll see what we’ll do now.
“He has never reached the potential that we thought he might have – he’s a gorgeous horse but missed last summer due to a prod of a nail so didn’t get a summer last year. Maybe he might find his niche over fences now, which would be very nice and while he’s in next Wednesday, it might come a bit quick and I don’t know where we’ll go next.”
Gordon Elliott is himself chasing a first trainers’ championship and the Gold Cup and Grand National winner was on the mark with Presenting Julio, who was supplying jockey Chris Meehan with his first Irish winner in the three-mile handicap hurdle.
Meehan, who famously suffered a broken leg last July when an ambulance drove over him after a fall in a hurdle race at Merano, Italy, later commented: “he is very professional about his work and did it nicely. Gordon has done very well with him but we were concerned today as we thought the ground might have gone a wee bit tacky for him - he won nicely though.
“It’s my first winner in Ireland. I was based in England for five years and rode a few winners there, came back and am with Gordon four or five months now and have had about 15 rides for him. It’s good to get that on the board and hopefully there will be plenty more to come. I’m 23 and from Co Down.”
There was a potentially smart winner of the concluding fillies’ bumper as the Mags Mullins-trained Thegreatestreward (4/1) displayed plenty on her debut to draw seven lengths clear of runner-up, and twice-placed Dalouga, to win under Patrick Mullins.
Mullins was charmed with the performance and later said: “I really liked her but thought I hadn’t enough work done with her as I’d have liked to.
“She was doing everything lovely at home – I think she’s a very good filly. All mine are for sale and she’s a good filly and jumps super – I love her!”
Rodger Sweeney was a relieved man following the win of his Cadawill, who had really tried the Cheltenham Festival-winning trainer’s patience, in the Racing Again July 27th Handicap Chase.
The son of Mohaajir was today gaining his maiden win, on his 38th attempt, under rules when scoring a half-length win under Andrew Lynch.
Sweeney later revealed: “He ran in a hurdle race the other day but showed no interest and, if he didn’t run well today, was heading back to point-to-points. I’d always have a few quid on each-way but I didn’t expect anything from him today!”
ACTING STEWARDS
J. Powell, C. O’Mahony, E. Flannery, J.O’Shaugh-nessy, M.F. O’Donoghue
HORSE TO FOLLOW
THEGREATESTREWARD (M. Mullins) looks a mare to follow having won impressively her on debut in the fillies’ bumper.