ON a day when the Association of Irish Racehorse Owners (AIRO) held an Owners Roadshow at the track to answer any questions about ownership, it was appropriate that the opening Join The Naas Racecourse Business Club Maiden Hurdle went to By Your Side, whose enthusiastic owner Kieron Gammell lives literally on the perimeter of the track.
The Lope De Vega gelding, successful three times on the flat for Ed Dunlop, has been unlucky on a number of occasions since sent hurdling by current connections but gained reward here under a patient ride by Michael O’Sullivan.
The 6/4 chance travelled strongly to challenge in the straight but the talented claimer waited until after the last before asking for an effort and they just prevailed by a short-head from 11/8 favourite The Lovely Man.
“He’s been knocking on the door and it’s great for Kieron as he lives local and will get a great kick out of that,” said trainer Gordon Elliott before adding, “Michael gave him a peach of a ride and he jumped better today.
“He’ll probably go for a handicap at one of the Festivals and he might win a flat race as well.”
Opened account
Troubled Times, a useful sort in bumpers last year winning twice including a listed event at Gowran, opened her account over hurdles in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Maiden Hurdle.
The 6/4 favourite, owned and bred by Willie Cleary, made all under Phillip Enright and kept on gamely on the extended run-in (final hurdle omitted due to an earlier faller) to beat Chautuaqua by two and a half lengths.
“She was entitled to do that on her bumper form. She jumped so well that the last hurdle being taken out didn’t help her and she wouldn’t do a whole pile when she gets there,” said Cashel trainer Sam Curling.
“She will stay going now for the summer and we’ll see what mark she gets.”
Nucky knuckles down for Meade win
THE featured Treo Eile Rated Novice Hurdle went to Nucky Johnson, although the 7/2 chance would have traded a lot bigger in running as Doyen Ta Win had built up a sizeable advantage jumping two out.
However, Liam McKenna’s mount soon ate into the lead and finished strongly to eventually beat the front-runner by five and a half lengths.
“I thought before the turn-in that it was in doubt but Liam said he picked up quick enough when he asked him,” said Noel Meade who trains the gelding for the Missed Flight Syndicate.
“We put him away for the whole winter and gave him a break because we thought he wouldn’t go on soft ground.
“He hasn’t done much wrong and if he’s alright he’ll probably go to Fairyhouse for the two-mile novice. He’s not big and I’d say he’ll run on the flat as well.”
Second winner
Dara McGill (19) partnered his first winner over hurdles and second in total under rules as Herculaneum, trained by Noel Kelly for the Cill Iseal Syndicate, proved strongest on the run-in to hold off fellow 16/1 shot Only One Plan by half-a-length in the Owners Insurance Included In AIRO Membership Handicap Hurdle.
“He was always going well and when he jumped the third last, I just took a pull on him. I swung him wide after turning in and, once he hit the front, he wasn’t doing a lot,” said the young Derry amateur.
There was another syndicate victory in the Thanks To All Our Sponsors In The National Hunt Season Handicap Hurdle where Miss Tempo overcame an absence of 15 months by making all in the hands of Mike O’Connor.
Trained by Henry de Bromhead for Ferroandel Racing, the 14/1 shot kept on well from before the last to beat Danesfort Mayfly by three lengths.
O’Connor said: “The plan was to make it. She is a forward going mare so we said we’d pop out and keep things simple with her.
“She came here fit and well but we thought that she might take the run. She’s a tough mare, puts her head down and stays going.”
THE classiest performance was reserved for the finale as Mirazur West readily landed odds of 1/2 in the Nursery Of Champions Flat Race.
The J.P. McManus-owned gelding made all under Derek O’Connor and asserted inside the final furlong for an easy four and a half lengths verdict over He’s My Hero.
Winning trainer Willie Mullins was represented by David Casey who said: “He’s a lovely horse and had been working well at home. He seems a little bit more tractable than his brother (Ferny Hollow) was in his early days.
“He’s a beautiful stamp of a horse and Derek was delighted with him.”
Good support
Elsannah, 10/1 in the morning and backed down to 11/2, justified good support in the three-mile Naas Racecourse Handicap Hurdle, taking control from before the last under Ian Power to beat Tangental by five and a half lengths.
“She’s an out-an-out stayer and will be interesting over a fence,” said Tara trainer Shane Crawley before adding, “Grellan Dunne is a savage owner and just lets me do whatever I want. She needs the ground to be safe so she won’t be one for the summer.”