FOR the fourth time in five years, Willie Mullins carried off the Listed BBA Ireland Limited Opera Hat Mares Chase as Cut The Mustard justified 1/3 favouritism after surviving one notable scare.
At the third fence, Tintangle looked as if she might run out and this manoeuvre had an unsettling effect on Cut The Mustard who briefly went to follow suit but she safely negotiated that fence and thereafter Paul Townend’s mount was untroubled as she moved into a clear lead.
She did get in close to the fifth last but remained in control at all stages to score by half a dozen lengths from Tintangle with the latter’s stablemate Isle Of Destiny securing some precious blacktype in third.
“It was straightforward apart from the third fence. Paul said his mare tried to follow Tintangle out and he thought he was lucky enough to get away with it,” reported Mullins of the Sullivan Bloodstock-owned mare. “Two to two and a half miles suits her and we’ll try to keep her to mares’ company.”
Mullins and Townend struck with another odds-on shot as Aione (10/11 favourite) followed up his recent Gowran Park triumph in the Connolly’s Red Mills Irish EBF Auction Novice Hurdle which was won by City Island last year.
Trouble
There were times during this two-mile, three-furlong contest that the market leader looked as though he might be in trouble but he was in front turning for home and he produced a much cleaner jump at the last than the chasing Russian Diamond which settled the outcome for the Susannah Ricci-owned winner.
“He looks like he wants fences already and that’s what we will do with him next season.
“I’d say we will aim him at the final of this series at the Punchestown Festival,” said Mullins.
AFTER sending out the second and third in the day’s feature Gordon Elliott then saddled a one-two in the Ardstone Homes Supporting Kill GAA Rated Novice Hurdle as Aramax (7/2) recorded an impressive eight-length triumph.
The J.P. McManus-owned Aramax shaped up well on his second Irish start to finish third to Wolf Prince at Fairyhouse last month. He looks a lively candidate to follow in the path of Band Of Outlaws who took this race 12 months ago before Fred Winter glory at Cheltenham.
A mistake by the odds-on Gin On Lime at the third last left her fighting a losing battle and for the duration of the straight the Mark Walsh-ridden Aramax gave the impression that he had stablemate Recent Revelations covered. The latter made a hash of the last which settled the outcome.
Mark Walsh and J.P. McManus went on to enjoy a double as Entoucas (4/5 favourite) took advantage of a good opportunity in the O’Driscoll O’Neill Supporting Kill GAA Maiden Hurdle. Joseph O’Brien’s 131-rated six-year-old had posted a series of good runs in decent maidens and he enjoyed a relatively straightforward success from the front. He had plenty to spare in beating Fakiera by five lengths.
Nice ground
“He jumped well and I’d say he enjoyed the nice ground. He’s a fine, big horse who should make a chaser in time and it’s nice he’s got that out of the way,” stated the owner’s racing manager Frank Berry.
Gordon Elliott also enjoyed a double as The Caretaker (11/4) won the Jordan’s Centra Supporting Kill GAA (Pro/Am) Flat Race to build on his debut third in the first four-year-old bumper of the year at this track last month.
In the colours of Sheila O’Ryan, this son of Mukhadram showed a smart turn of foot for Jamie Codd to take several lengths out of the field inside the last quarter of a mile. His rivals never looked likely to claw back this deficit and The Caretaker finished with three and a half lengths to spare over Hardwired who had finished a place behind him here last month.
“He’s a nice horse. I fancied him for his first run and he’s built on that and I’d love the way he quickened when Jamie asked him to. He’ll win plenty of races,” observed Elliott.
Valdieu could be finally back on right track
NOEL Meade’s Valdieu showed signs of realising his potential as a chaser as he made his first venture outside of beginners’ company a winning one in the Cavan Developments Supporting Kill GAA Handicap Chase.
In first-time cheekpieces the 123-rated seven-year-old showed a willing attitude for Sean Flanagan who picked up a one-day whip ban for his efforts.
The Gigginstown House Stud-owned gelding led form the second last and kept on determinedly to hold off Halsafari by half a length. The 3/1 joint-favourite has now won both his starts at this track.
“It’s nice to win but he has been a disappointing horse this season as he showed us lots as a bumper horse and a hurdler,” reflected Meade.
“I suppose it also shows what he was running against in beginners’ chases.
“They went a good gallop which suited and hopefully he might improve a bit through the spring.”
Val O’Brien sent out his first winner of 2020 as Muhaafiz, who shaped very well on his return from a 15-month absence at this track last month, took the Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Hurdle.
The 7/1 chance was going nicely in the lead for Gearoid Brouder at the entrance to the straight and maintained a useful lead thereafter to finish three lengths ahead of Bythesametoken who didn’t enjoy the clearest of runs. The trainer’s brother Sean owns the winner who could return to Naas later in the month.