WILLIE Mullins warmed up for Cheltenham in perfect style at Naas last Sunday when Pairofbrowneyes led home a Closutton one-two-three in the Toalsbet Leinster National.
The 12/1 shot bounced back to form to land the €100,000 contest for the second year running, with the three-mile event returning home after being switched to Gowran last season.
Paul Townend held his mount up towards the rear in the early stages before producing him to lead at the second last. He powered clear form the final fence to record a five-length win over stable-mate Isleofhopeanddreams.
With the final touches being applied to his raiders for the week ahead, Mullins wasn’t on hand to welcome back his winner. Townend sprinted out of the winners enclosure as he dashed to the airport to catch his flight to England.
Earlier the pair had also combined successfully when Chacun Pour Soi made a highly impressive start on these shores in the Toalsbet.com Beginners Chase.
Townend bounced the 4/9 shot out in front and he produced a scintillating round of jumping, stretching clear before the straight for a 31-length win for Rich Ricci.
“He’s very likeable. It was like riding a handicapper. He made one mistake at the ditch down the back but he sorted himself out and you couldn’t be any more pleased with him,” said Townend.
“He’s really exciting, he’s a good horse. He obviously had a big reputation coming to us but they don’t always live up to that. They found a good one there anyway. Hopefully he can keep improving and building on that.”
DOUBLE
There was also a double on the day for Alan Fleming and owner Barry Connell.
Espanito Bello made it two from two when overcoming a 14-month absence in the opening Adare Manor Opportunity Maiden Hurdle. Conor McNamara produced the 20/1 shot to challenge two from home and he stayed on best in the closing stages to beat Defy De Mee by a length.
“It’s been hit and miss all season with him and he’s been ready since last November but the ground hasn’t been right,” said Fleming.
“We always liked, he won a four-year-old bumper here and won it easy. He’s done that nicely today and I think he’ll come on a lot from it.
“Hopefully the ground stays soft for a while now and he’s definitely entitled to go and run in a nice novice somewhere. He was quick over his hurdles early on and I thought he was good and quick even when he was a little bit guessy. He was low, he wasn’t too high or anything.”
Mount Pelier completed the brace when running out a six-length winner of the Naas Supporters Handicap Hurdle later on the card.
Donagh Meyler’s mount travelled well to lead at the last and quickly asserted to seal matters.
“I was really impressed with him. He’s improving rightly this horse and the soft ground is helping him a lot,” said Fleming.
“You are always a little bit worried coming back within a week, and it was Navan on soft, so I’m really happy. Chasing is his game, he’s a great jumper. Hopefully we might have a nice one on our hands to go chasing next season.”
GOOD EFFORT
The Naas Directors Plate Novice Chase was effectively turned into a match after a couple of fences but it was still an impressive effort by Kaiser Black to account for smart mare Camelia De Cotte.
Jetz blundered away Robbie Power at the first and then hampered Robin De Foret when running loose at the second.
The 15/8 shot Kaiser Black tracked 6/4 favourite Camelia De Cotte throughout before taking it up after the second last. The Pat Doyle-trained gelding asserted from the last to record a comprehensive 11-length success in the Grade 3 contest for owner Michael O’Driscoll.
Winning rider Jack Doyle said afterwards: “He was always travelling well and he jumped super. He kept gaining length in the air.
“From jumping the third last to turning in I wanted to try and sit as long as possible and probably ended up getting to the front too soon but there wasn’t a lot I could do about it.
“We went there looking for a bit of nice ground, to pick up a bit of prize-money and anything after that was going to be a bonus. We didn’t really know where we were with him.
“This is probably the first year we’ve had a trouble free run with him the whole way through. He’s just had niggly problems up to that but this year he hasn’t missed a day.
“We were thinking maybe the Irish National and then going to Punchestown, looking for a bit of nice ground at the end of the season.”
Oliver McKiernan is also eyeing some of the Irish spring festivals for Gallant John Joe after his hard fought victory in the Irish Racing Writers Kingsfurze Novice Hurdle.
Barry Browne drove the 4/1 shot into the lead going to the last in the two-miler and he knuckled down well to score by half a length from Mister Blue Sky in the Listed contest.
“That’s great. The race was on the short side for us and we were on the wrong side of the weights with a couple of them,” said McKiernan.
“We put him into the race because we couldn’t see another one and we thought he’d need another run if he was to go to Fairyhouse or Punchestown.
“We’re delighted because he works well at home. I’d say the cheekpieces helped him a little bit. Barry had a bit of bother with him the last day in Leopardstown, they got their wires crossed a little bit, but today everything went perfect. Barry gave him a powerful ride and he knows him well.
“He jumped beautifully, especially the last, and he did it very well. He should be a better horse over two-and-a-half or two-six.
“I’m not sure what the plan is and will have to talk to the [Keep The Faith] syndicate. They were asking if he could go to Aintree but I’m not sure as he’s a handful to get the start relaxed.”
Peter Fahey was delighted to get a winner for the green and gold of JP McManus when Gypsy Island claimed the concluding Toalsbet Casino Mares Flat Race.
Darragh O’Keeffe was confident on the 10/11 shot, producing her to lead two furlongs out and sending her clear inside the final furlong for a two-and-a-quarter-length success.
“It’s great to have a horse for Mr McManus and I’m thrilled that she’s won, especially after he bought her after winning in Ballinrobe,” said Fahey.
“They are only taking the top off it really. She wants a cut in the ground. She settled really well today and probably learned a good bit from the run in Navan.
“We’ll make a plan after today but it’s grand to get a winner in those colours anyway, that’s the main thing.
“She’s not qualified for Aintree because she ran over hurdles, so if anywhere it’ll be Fairyhouse or Punchestown.”
HORSE TO FOLLOW
VALENTINA LADY
(P. Nolan): Made an eye-catching debut in the bumper.
ACTING STEWARDS
M. Cosgrave, M.C. Hickey, L. Reynolds, J. Powell,
P.D. Matthews.