REST OF THE CARD
APPROPRIATELY, Willie Mullins secured the final six-figure prize of the campaign as Open Eagle took centre stage in the Ballymore Handicap Hurdle.
The formerly high-class flat handicapper returned from a year off to score at Thurles last month and he took a major step forward to win this hotly contested two and a half-mile event under Patrick Mullins.
The latter, who finished the meeting with such a tremendous flourish, took the shortest route round on the Montjeu eight-year-old who was conspicuous by the ease with which he travelled through the race.
The 20/1 chance picked off stablemates Thomas Hobson and Livelovelaugh to strike the front early in the straight and he soon opened up a useful lead. Open Eagle needed the line late on but it arrived in time for him to contain the strong-finishing Dream Berry by half a length.
“The intention had been to go chasing with him this season but he got a setback so we shelved that for the time being,” remarked Mullins. “He’s a horse that we could go back on the flat with and he’s one that likes a little ease in the ground.”
A superb week for Colin Tizzard and Robbie Power concluded with an excellent effort from the much improved Sizing Codelco who gave weight all round to claim the Palmerstown House Pat Taaffe Handicap Chase.
The Alan and Ann Potts-owned eight-year-old blitzed his rivals in a quality handicap chase at Aintree last time out and once again showed his class.
This wasn’t quite the same tour de force that he produced at Aintree but in scoring off a mark of 150 Sizing Codelco has his connections eyeing up some big prizes next term. The 4/1 chance still had several rivals to contend with as he faced up to the last two fences but he was holding Forever Gold from before the last and he crossed the line with three and a half lengths to spare.
“It’s been a brilliant week. I actually didn’t think this horse was as good as he was at Aintree and Robbie said the same thing after he came in,” stated Tizzard. “I suppose we could look at Newbury in November (formerly the Hennessy) and he’s a good ground horse so in the spring we can hopefully target the Grand National.”
It all came together at the most opportune of times for Whatareudoingtome who bagged the Three.ie Handicap Chase off bottom weight. Niall Madden won on board the son of High Chaparral who looked to relish his first attempt at this three and three-quarter-mile trip.
The 16/1 chance put himself into the reckoning as the runners turned for home and showed fine attitude from before the last to overhaul fellow McManus-owned runner White Arm by five lengths.
“He was perhaps a bit unlucky at Fairyhouse last week when he fell at the second last and he does stay well,” declared Philip Dempsey.
“Niall gave him a great ride and his family all seem to be better on better ground. It’s possible that he might be kept going for the better ground but we’ll enjoy today before making plans.”
Need To Know improved on his fourth in the Ladies Cup on Tuesday by fending off a quartet of Enda Bolger challengers for the Dooley Insurances Cross Country Chase.
After the earlier departure of Ballyboker Bridge, the Benny Walsh-ridden winner was left facing a the quartet of J.P. McManus-owned runners and he rose to the challenge in fine style.
COMPENSATION
The 8/1 produced some great jumps for Walsh and flew the second last which enabled him to open up a decent lead which his rivals were never able to bridge. At the line, John Paul Brennan’s charge had eight lengths to spare and he was providing Walsh with compensation for his unfortunate exit on Mtada Supreme who was going so well when running out late on in the La Touche.
The prolific winning pointer is owned by Marie Brennan and Colm Hearne.
The five days concluded with a taking success for Peter Fahey’s newcomer Vocarium (5/1) in the Attheraces.com (Pro/Am) Flat Race.
Inside the final quarter of a mile, the Katie Walsh-ridden son of Poet’s Voice was doing battle with Lady Ischia and State Of Nirvana but he was much the strongest in the closing stages. The half-brother to several high class flat runner drew away inside the distance to score by three lengths.
“That’s brilliant. Since poor Owega Star was killed in Listowel we had been looking for a nice horse for his owners Anthony and Siobhan Callan to come back with and it’s worked well,” declared Peter Fahey.
“He likes nice ground and he’s one that will keep going through the summer.”
ACTING STEWARDS
T. Hunt, V. Connolly, M. Hillman, B.J. Fitzsimmons, M.F. O’Donoghue
HORSE TO FOLLOW
LADY ISCHIA (G. Cromwell): This daughter of Getaway made an encouraging start to her career by finishing a three-length second to Vocarium in the bumper. She looks more than capable of making her mark in this sphere.