AS expected the hugely talented Debuchet, one of the most exciting young horses in the country, brought down the curtain on a fine first season with a victorious return to domestic action in the Listed Kevin McManus Bookmaker Champion (Pro/Am) Flat Race.
The Margaret Mullins-trained four-year-old came here off a tremendous effort in the bumper at Cheltenham where he only succumbed to Fayonagh’s whirlwind charge in the final strides.
Back against his own age group, the Force Eight Syndicate-owned gelding turned out fresh and well just three weeks after his Prestbury Park efforts to bring his bumper career to a victorious finale.
Odds of 4/5 looked generous about Debuchet, whose form was in a different league to that of his rivals, and the market leader was ideally positioned to take charge as the runners neared the straight.
At this point, the Patrick Mullins-ridden gelding was the only contestant still on the bridle and it just looked a question of when he would pick off the front running Cornelius Sulla.
The latter kept on bravely under pressure and it was only nearing the last furlong that he gave best as Debuchet moved on to pull five lengths clear. There was a further seven lengths back to the Thurles winner Coldamour.
“You’re always worried coming back after Cheltenham but he came out of that race very well and seemed very well at home and he was taking on his own age group,” said the successful trainer.
“I don’t know about plans but I doubt he will go to Punchestown and that’s him finished in bumpers. He’d like the ground a bit better than it was today.”
It was an afternoon to remember for Listowel-born rider John Mulvihill (20) as Hareth provided him the first success of his career in the Martinstown Opportunity Handicap Hurdle. The Charles Byrnes inmate won here in May 2014 but didn’t run again until February with his three outings since yielding a succession of placings.
Fresh from a respectable third at Navan at the weekend, Hareth travelled smoothly on the outer and nothing was going better as the leaders turned for home. After the second last the 3/1 favourite only needed to be shaken up to deal with Soir De Chantenay who went down by two and a quarter lengths.
“I’m delighted for John. He came to me around Christmas and gave the horse a lovely ride and kept things simple,” stated Byrnes. “Last time at Navan we felt Hareth lugged in behind horses so the plan was to ride him a bit wider today.”
Mark Enright notched up a double ahead of his bid for Grand National glory on Thunder And Roses and the rider completed his brace on the Liam Casey-owned and trained Carole Rose (14/1) in the mares handicap chase. The daughter of Mahler coped well with the slower than ideal ground and answered Enright’s every call from the second last to edge out a resilient Leaders Questions.
“I’m surprised as I thought the ground would be much to heavy for her. She’s a very honest mare who jumps brilliantly,” reported Casey.
Earlier the Enright-ridden Sizinguptheamazon (15/8) took advantage of a good opening in the I.N.H. Stallion Owners EBF Maiden Hurdle but not before he was given a scare by a couple of the outsiders. The Alan and Ann Potts-owned runner led before two out but was soon fighting hard to fend off Aaron Lad and Babytaggle.
To his credit, the seven-year-old retained control to follow up his encouraging second at Gowran last month which came off a 13-month absence. The odds-on Without Limites could only manage fourth.
“He’s very consistent but although he’s seven he’s only had the six runs as he’s had problems with his feet. I’d say the step up to two miles, three furlongs suited him,” remarked Jim Dreaper.
After struggling to make an impact throughout the season Pahaska (10/1) came good to aid Gordon Elliott’s push for championship honours by landing the two and three-quarter-mile mares handicap hurdle.
Over the last half-mile. the Jack Kennedy-ridden four-year-old and Magic Of Light were embroiled in a protracted battle for supremacy, but a slight mistake at the last ended the latter’s hopes of success. On the run-in, Pahaska held off the staying-on Whats In It For Me by a neck.
“She has been disappointing but she was getting all the allowances and she does jump well which is a big help to her,” declared the winning rider of the Gigginstown House Stud-owned mare.
Tikkanen Express (16/1), who won a maiden hurdle last summer, made a seamless transition to the larger obstacles with a smooth success in the beginners’ chase. The 16/1 shot turned in a bold round of jumping under Philip Enright on his first outing since October and the pair sauntered away from their rivals in the straight to score by an easy six and a half lengths.
“We’ve been very quiet since New Year’s Day as the horses weren’t quite right and he’s only our third runner since then,” stated trainer James Dullea. “He’s an exceptional jumper and the hope was that he’d be better over fences. Philip gave him a good ride as he’s not easy and can be highly strung but he’s been better since he came back in. He’ll keep going through the summer.”
Earlier Ger Fox warmed up for his National ride on Raz De Maree by taking the mares’ maiden hurdle on Noel Meade’s Turfmans Daughter (8/1).
The Jimmy Kernohan-owned seven-year-old only returned from a 17-month absence at Navan five days previously and was clearly all the better for that comeback.
She had the measure of Good To Flow from the second last and crossed the line with six and a half lengths to spare over the keeping on Open To The World.
“She’s had a few problems since she was placed in a maiden hurdle at Down Royal in October 2015,” declared Fox. “The ground was probably a bit heavy for her last weekend and she jumps great so we took a chance and came here. She wants a trip.”
ACTING STEWARDS
J. Moloney, J. Horgan, C. O’Mahony, A. Ryan, S. Quinn
HORSE TO FOLLOW
SOIR DE CHENTENAY (G. Cromwell): A three-time winner in France, this gelding produced his best effort since coming to Ireland when finishing second to Hareth in the handicap hurdle. A similar event looks to be well within his reach.
Collins misses ride
CIAN Collins was forced to give up his remaining ride and was taken to Limerick Hospital for x-rays after his mount Orchard Road slipped up on the approach to the second last flight.