BLACK Warrior, a horse his trainer Charles Byrnes said “must have been 1,000/1 in running,” turned over the hot-pot Master Of Verse under a tactical ride from Davy Russell in Limerick’s novice hurdle last Saturday evening.
All the races on the card were sponsored by Coral.ie so it was a good result for them as the six-year-old, a recent winner at Clonmel, steadily reeled in Master Of Verse from two out to take command halfway up the run-in and prevail by two and a half lengths.
Black Warrior is owned by the Milkers Syndicate, made up of a group of farmers from the Ballingarry area, and the easy-to-back 7/4 winner returned to an enthusiastic reception.
Byrnes observed: “The favourite wasn’t jumping well and looked to be running with the choke out. Our fellow might go to Galway for a two and a half mile hurdle, but he doesn’t owe anyone anything – he looked as if he’d go up a hill the way he ran there.”
Gunner McGregor, who gave trainer Dusty Sheehy his first winner in three years at last month’s Clonmel fixture, followed up with a second victory under Brian Hayes in the two-mile maiden hurdle, on his hurdling debut. Sent off 9/4 co-favourite with Gone Platinum and Castle Guest, the Aristotle gelding got the better of the first named in the final 100 yards when staying on for pressure to strike by five and a half lengths from Gone Platinum.
Sheehy trains the five-year-old for Richie Minogue from Inistioge and commented: “On his last run I definitely fancied him. He’s done plenty of schooling since and jumped well today. I’ll probably look at a nice novice in Galway for him, but wouldn’t rule out a mile and a half handicap on the flat.”
The Graiguenamanagh handler currently has eight horses in his care, but plenty of boxes to fill, and reported: “I put in a new woodchip surface on the gallop from top to bottom and it has been a major help.”
UNSEATED TREACY
Templemore trainer Leslie Young took the honours in the 80-95 handicap hurdle with Margaret Marshall’s durable campaigner Fleurys Fort who took over at the second last, where Hunters Vision blundered, and held the effort of Crocodile Dundee by a length. The long-time leader Sweet Little Lies was being pushed along before the turn in and finished out of the money.
Fleurys Fort’s connections had an anxious moment in the closing stages of the race when the 6/1 chance unseated Ryan Treacy after the line, but the uninjured rider explained afterwards: “He just shied away from me.’’
Said Young: “He had a few runs in the winter on heavy ground, but he travels so much better on nicer ground. He’ll stay going over hurdles until the handicapper gets a hold of him and then he’ll go chasing.”
Afatcat, from the Steve Mahon yard, left his disappointing Ballinrobe run behind him when coming out on top for Ger Fox, who rode out his claim in the process, in the two-mile handicap hurdle with his three and a quarter length defeat of Caridadi.
Unfortunately, John Joe McGrath, the successful owner of the 16/1 long shot, was attending a wedding the same day and missed the occasion. Mahon commented: “For whatever reason my horses are all running a bit flat, but his run in Ballinrobe was scurrilous. He’s a grand horse and he’ll probably go for a chase in Galway or a hurdle there – he’s a versatile horse and can mix it.”
Trainer Peter Fahey, who is away on holidays in Portugal, also missed out when Xsquared took the beginners’ chase in the hands of Kevin Sexton at a price of 7/2 for the Adders Partnership, made up of retired mathematics lecturers from Dublin.
Seeyouallincoppers headed the betting to make a successful debut over fences in this event, only to take a crashing fall when challenging in second at the penultimate obstacle where the winner landed in front. Xsquared went on to collect by three-quarters of a length from Akito.
Fahey’s assistant Gavin Lawlor reflected: “It’s great to get a win for the owners and he’ll tip away for the summer on nice ground.”
HOLIDAYS IN PORTUGAL
Portugal was also the holiday destination of choice for Co Clare handler Aengus King who was due to head there the following day with a welcome win for Change The Rules (7/1) in the 0-109 handicap chase in the bag.
Adrian Heskin’s mount swooped late from the clouds after being prominent early on to deny the likely-looking winner Glenwood For Ever by a three-length margin in the colours of his trainer. King remarked: “I thought the ground would be too fast for him, but the chase course was well-watered and it turned out to be in our favour.
“The heavier the ground, the better for him and he came out of nowhere towards the end. He’s a horse I think will stay all day.”
Aeglos was all the rage to continue Joseph O’Brien’s sensational start to his training career in the bumper, but he met his match in Gordon Elliott’s well-regarded filly Takeittothelimits who belied her 16/1 starting price when running out a very convincing four-length winner for rider Cian Collins who has been associated with the Co Meath stable for the last four months.
Collins agreed: “She’s a good filly and she’s been working well at home. Gordon likes her and was hoping for a good run.”
Acting Stewards
J. Moloney, P. Curling, Mrs F. Ward, O. Kearney, H. Hynes.
HORSE TO FOLLOW
GLENWOOD FOR EVER (P. J. Gilligan) He did everything right in the 0-109 handicap chase and looked home and hosed until nailed by the winner close home. Should be able to make amends.
Fox ban
THERE was a sting in the tail for Afatcat’s jockey Ger Fox who was hit with a one-day ban for careless riding in the handicap chase for causing interference to the runner-up Caridadi.