ENDA Bolger appears to have another exciting recruit on his hands for J.P. McManus as Ballyoisin opened his account under rules with a facile victory in the Troytown Bar Maiden Hurdle.
Those who supported the Presenting gelding into a red-hot 4/6 favourite had few worries as the race was in safe keeping from a long way out, and Barry Geraghty could afford to ease right down on the run-in and still have 11 lengths in hand over Mighty Concorde.
“That was a nice performance especially for a four-year-old. He was very impressive in his point-to-point (at Belclare), and Derek O’Connor was singing his praises. He was a bit keen and hopefully he’ll learn to settle a bit more,” said Bolger before adding, “The ground (officially good) could be important to him, and it’s possible he could be more of a spring horse.”
Mark Walsh partnered a 116/1 double on the card highlighted by the feature race success of Valours Minion in the Meath Farm Machinery Handicap Chase.
Turning point
The turning point in this two and a half miles contest came at the final fence with long-time leader Aranhill Chief meeting it all wrong and handing the initiative to Val O’Brien’s charge.
The 8/1 chance took full advantage and was driven right out by Walsh to prevail by half a length. The 12-year-old gelding was still a maiden just over 13 months ago but amazingly has now won eight times in the interim, and the Athenry trainer said: “He loves that ground and stayed on really well up the hill. Hopefully this good weather keeps up for a while and he could go to Galway next month.”
Walsh initiated his double when Pilgrim Way appreciated the step up to two and three quarter miles to take the N.I. Childrens Hospice Handicap Hurdle.
Trained near Carrick-on-Suir by Mark Cahill for Dubliner Frank McNulty, the 12/1 shot (available at over twice those odds in the morning) travelled well to challenge in the straight and was driven out on the run-in to score by three and a half lengths.
Top-weight Perrie Hill stayed on really well in the closing stages to grab the runner-up spot.
“He’s just a four-year-old and was very babyish but is coming to himself now. We’ll find something similar and he wants good ground. I’d say he’ll get a break for the winter,” said Cahill.
Andy Lynch holds Irish Grand National aspirations for Jarob (5/2), who got his jumping act together to land the Emerald Facility Services Beginners Chase.
Chris Jones’ eight-year-old gelding travelled well to lead two out, and was pushed out on the run-in by Keith Donoghue to beat Georges Conn by a length and a quarter.
“We’ve schooled him plenty, and he jumps brilliant at home. He’s getting more confidence all the time. He loves that ground and is not a winter horse. If it stays like that he could run again in two or three weeks’ time. He wants further, and I’ve always felt he could be an Irish National horse,” said the Dunsany trainer.
Casual Approach will be part of Gordon Elliott’s travelling party to Cheltenham in October after overcoming a five-month summer break to take the Albany Hurdle.
The two miles and six furlong contest was run at a sedate pace before coming alive on the final circuit, and Bryan Cooper produced the 6/1 chance to dispute at the final flight before just getting the better of an exciting finish with Sang Tiger by a head.
“We are going to bring him to Cheltenham next month as he’s qualified to run in novice hurdles until the end of October. He’s a grand, big horse. The plan was to drop him in and I think he’ll come on from that,” said Elliott, who trains the Scorpion gelding for Easyfix Hurdles chief Michael Earls.
Phil The Flyer made it three wins in his last four starts when taking the Racing Again Wednesday 7th October Handicap Hurdle in impressive fashion.
Trained by Ray Hackett for his father Liam and well-backed from 10/1 into 15/2, he drew clear two out under Shane Shortall and stayed on strongly to score by a comfortable seven lengths.
“He won over two and a half miles the last day at Cork and I said to Shane to make plenty of use of him. The uphill finish was always going to help. He needs good ground and I would like to jump a fence with him this year before the ground goes,” said the Toomevara trainer.
Not A Whisper went off at 20/1 on her debut in the Bective Restaurant Flat Race but belied those odds with a convincing success. The four-year-old daughter of Kodiac was patiently ridden by Johnny King, making smooth headway in the straight and responding well when asked for an effort in the final furlong to beat Bobarlee by two lengths.
“I always thought a lot of her but was afraid she wouldn’t stay. The slow pace early played into her hands, and Johnny gave her a great ride and took his time. She could go for the mares’ listed race here. I’d say she will handle soft ground, and they have done a great job here with the ground. It is a credit to them,” said Aidan Howard, who trains the promising winner for Tom Miley.
ACTING STEWARDS
T. Hunt, P. Reynolds, R. Dore, P. Moloney, H. Hynes
HORSE TO FOLLOW
SILVER TURTLE (N. Meade): From the family of Harchibald, he made a pleasing debut when staying on nicely in the straight behind the impressive Ballyoisin.
Whip use bans
Adrian Heskin picked up a one day suspension for using his whip with excessive frequency aboard Sang Tiger in the Albany Hurdle, while Paul Cawley was also given a one-day ban for continuing to use his whip on Messie (finished 10th in the bumper) after his chance of winning or being placed was clearly gone.