DARASSO’S taking switch from France to Ireland yielded a second graded triumph in just over four weeks as Joseph O’Brien’s charge accounted for the very capable Cadmium in the Toals.com Webster Cup.
Fresh from a commanding Red Mills Hurdle success, where those in behind included the Triumph second Coeur Sublime, the six-year-old was returned the evens favourite for his switch to chasing.
In his native France the son of Konig Turf won both his starts over fences and he remains unbeaten in this sphere after adding this Grade 2 to his haul.
The outsider Tycoon Prince made this a good test and took a couple of his rivals out of their comfort zone but he could do no more from the third last when Cadmium ranged alongside. The Barry Geraghty-ridden Darasso steadily warmed to his task, just as he did at Gowran last month, and arrived with a sweeping effort after the second last that saw him edge ahead at the final fence. A safe jump there set him up for a strong finish that saw him carry the day by two and a quarter lengths.
“It took him a little while to warm up and he was getting better as the race went along so maybe he’d want a little further,” reflected J.P. McManus’ racing manager Frank Berry.
“He likes this ground and you’d like the way he’s progressing so we’ll see where he ends up. If it dries up again he’ll probably go out to the field.”
A resurgent Scoir Mear put the seal on a memorable week for J.P. McManus as he sprang a 25/1 surprise in the €65,000 Irish Stallion Farms EBF Novice Handicap Chase to earn a crack at the BoyleSports Irish Grand National.
The Tom Mullins inmate was without a win since October 2016 and had struggled for form over the last year but produced a display in keeping with the best of his form over hurdles.
As a depleted field turned for home not too many were in with a realistic chance and soon the leaders thinned out to leave Youngpaddymc and the Jody McGarvey-ridden Scoir Mear doing battle. From the last to the line the victorious grey was too strong for his aforementioned rival who went down by three and a half lengths.
“He’s been frustrating. I fancied him at Naas a couple of runs ago but his jumping was deplorable and we’ve worked on that since,” commented Mullins.
“In the Leinster National last week he was almost buried at the first and he was never travelling after that but he was a different horse today. I’m delighted to see him back to the sort of form he showed two years ago and he’ll probably be aimed at the Irish National now.”
SMART PROSPECT
The smart Caravation followed up a recent course success with an admirable display from the front in the two-and-three-quarter-mile Irish Stallion Farms EBF Novice Hurdle which suggested she will be well worth her place at graded level before the season ends.
The Philip Dempsey inmate produced an assured display from the front under the trainer’s son, Luke, and she found plenty in the straight when pressed by fellow 2/1 joint-favourite Milan Native.
The latter was almost upsides from two out but the William Flood-owned and bred Caravation was not for passing and held on gamely by half a length. The winning rider picked up a one-day whip ban for his efforts.
“She toughed it out well having done it the hard way,” commented Dempsey.
“I’d say with the ground the way it is she could easily run again this season and I’ll speak to William but she’ll probably have one more run.”
There was a landmark success in the offing in the Vincent Ward Memorial (Pro/Am) Flat Race where Harry Swan (17), a son of the multiple National Hunt jockey Charlie Swan, rode his first winner on Irish soil courtesy of Fiddlerontheroof (16/1).
The John Joe Walsh-trained winner had shown up well to reach the frame in a couple of decent bumpers and he built on those efforts to win what looked quite a hot affair.
In the colours of the winning rider’s grandmother, Trish Hyde, the son of Stowaway was always close to the pace and he showed a fine attitude in the closing stages to hold the odds-on newcomer, The Big Getaway, by a length and a quarter.
“He’s a nice horse who had just come up against a couple on his first two runs. Whatever happens he will be a very nice horse for the future,” remarked the trainer.
GOOD PERFORMANCE
Final List (15/8), who had finished no worse than third in four previous outings over timber, struck for Gordon Elliott in the Toalsbet App Maiden Hurdle.
The Gigginstown House Stud-owned son of Doyen was dropping down sharply in trip after running over two and three-quarter miles last time but the switch to a galloping track enabled him to cope with the switch to two miles.
Davy Russell’s mount produced a much better jump than Debuchet at the third last and the latter could never quite get back the couple of lengths he lost there. At the line Final List had two and a half lengths to spare.
“I’d say the track made a big difference to him. He just found the likes of Thurles too sharp and he fell in a bumper at Tramore but he was much more comfortable around here. He’ll head for a novice hurdle now,” commented Elliott.
Man of the moment Gavin Cromwell capped a memorable few days as he teamed up with Gold Cup-winning rider Paul Townend to take the Toalsbet Casino Handicap Hurdle with Ejayteekay (10/1).
It was all change at the final flight in this two-mile contest as the strong-travelling Serious Ego blundered away his chance when looking likely to score and this handed the initiative to the favourite Sil Ver Klass. However, the latter was worn down by the Brian Poots-owned Ejayteekay who got home by a length and a half.
“Since she’s come back in she’s more relaxed and settled which is helping her to get home in her races,” declared Cromwell. “Hopefully, she might win another won for us over hurdles and we have the option of going chasing with her too – she’s already run over fences.”
Bilbo Baggins, who had been restricted to just two previous runs this season, came with a powerful late surge to claim the Toals.com Handicap Chase, which provided trainer Adrian Murray with his first winner since January 2018.
Sean Flanagan conjured a sustained charge from his mount on the run to the last and the 15/2 chance scored by two and a quarter lengths. Bilbo Baggins carries the colours of Anthony McLoughlin.
HORSE TO FOLLOW:
EPSON DU HOUX
(H. de Bromhead): This five-year-old showed lots of promise to take fourth in a well contested bumper and on this evidence a first success in this sphere should soon be coming his way.
ACTING STEWARDS:
L. McFerran,
R. Macauley, R.S. Martin, G.V. Magee,
P.D. Matthews.