DOUVAN’S eagerly awaited second appearance in Ireland was nothing short of faultless as he recorded an effortless victory in the Sportinglife.com Moscow Flyer Novice Hurdle.
In the aftermath of this imperious display the Willie Mullins inmate is as short as 5/2 for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle and this performance represented a compelling trial for the Cheltenham Festival opener. Last year Vautour won this before Cheltenham glory and the manner in which Douvan dismissed a useful field in this Grade 2 has ensured that a huge level of expectation will accompany his appearance at Cheltenham.
The Susannah Ricci-owned Douvan was sent off the 1/3 favourite under Ruby Walsh. He travelled strongly and jumped smoothly and was still firmly on the bridle when joining the leaders off the last bend. With imperceptible effort the son of Walk In The Park moved ahead of the very promising Alpha Des Obeaux at the last flight and he was unextended to score by three and three-quarter lengths – a margin which scarcely conveys his superiority.
“He did that nicely. He jumped and galloped and just did everything that he has been doing at home,” said an understated Mullins. “I don’t really think that the trip, ground or tactics matter and I would imagine he will go straight to Cheltenham.”
Mullins and Walsh got their day off to a perfect start when Jarry D’Honneur (2/1) turned in a stylish display in the two and a half mile-beginners’ chase. The J.P. McManus-owned gelding was all the better for a fourth to Lots Of Memories at Navan which was his first outing for 14 months. The six-year-old had won his last three outings in France. He jumped superbly in the lead and, from well before the last fence, he had the measure of last season’s classy novice hurdler Apache Jack. At the line Jarry D’Honneur had eight and a half lengths to spare over Bishops Road who reclaimed second late on.
“He improved from Navan and jumped well and you couldn’t have asked for much more,” commented the owner’s racing manager Frank Berry. “Ruby said this trip was no problem for him and he handles this ground which is a plus.”
DOUBLE
Robbie Colgan also ended the day with two winners and he completed his double on Gordon Elliott’s Noble Endeavor in the two and a half miles rated hurdle. The Chris Jones-owned son of Flemensfirth is quite a talented sort and first time cheek pieces allowed him to show just what he is capable of. Noble Endeavor was bearing down on the pace-setting Aklan nearing the last and a somewhat awkward jump there failed to check his momentum. The 15/8 favourite was soon in front and he had four and a quarter lengths to spare by the time he reached the line.
“I don’t know if he’s still a bit green or a bit of a monkey but I do think there is a nice handicap in him and a big field would suit him,” declared Elliott who could now target his charge at the spring festivals.
Earlier Colgan took the three-mile handicap hurdle on Lean Araig (7/1) who won nicely on his first venture outside of maiden company. This was a well-deserved success for trainer Oliver McKiernan who endured a series of frustrating near misses over the Christmas period. The always prominent Lean Araig asserted his superiority in the straight and was a comfortable four and a quarter lengths winner over Sarah Battle.
“He’s been a nice horse from day one but his jumping let him down. We’ve done plenty of schooling lately and his last time schooling at home he was really taking his hurdles on,” reported McKiernan. “He’s an out and out three-miler and Robbie gelled very well with him.”
The testing conditions ensured that the Connolly’s Red Mills Amateur National for the Conyngham Cup was going to be quite a test and the former Eider Chase winner Portrait King was best equipped to cope with them.
On only his sixth start since winning the 2012 Eider, the Declan Queally-ridden Portrait King (6/1) was labouring in a remote fifth approaching the straight. In a slow motion finish, the Marie Davis-owned grey began to close down the leader with some purpose. His abundant stamina reserves carried him into a clear advantage on the run-in as the game pace setter Rogue Angel had no more to give.
“He’s had problems and he’s done a tendon and two pelvises, all on different occasions,” reflected Maurice Phelan. “All he does is stay and gallop and he’ll come back here next month for the Grand National Trial which he won three years ago.”
Trainer Gillian Callaghan and jockey Keith Donoghue got back amongst the winners for the first time in over a year courtesy of Mount Corkish Girl (6/1) in the mares’ maiden hurdle. The daughter of Beneficial was left to come home eight and a half lengths clear when Iamtoldiamgrand, who had moved into a close second, exited at the last. The What A Combination Syndicate-owned winner was banned for 60 days following a running and riding inquiry into her eighth to Free Expression at Naas in November although this was reduced to 30 days on appeal.
Donoghue, who spent eight months on the sidelines after breaking his leg in March, commented: “It’s great to get a winner as I’ve been struggling to get rides and struggling with my weight. The Callaghans have been very loyal to me.’’
After pulling up when evens favourite for a Tramore handicap on New Year’s Day, Treacy’s Star (9/2) made amends in the Martinstown Opportunity Handicap Chase. The Brian Hayes-ridden mare led from three out and she had this race in safe keeping from early in the straight as she improved on her fourth in the corresponding race last year.
The 15/8 favourite Pencilhimin weakened quickly after making a mistake at the third last and he was found to have burst a blood vessel.
“The ground was just too heavy for her at Tramore but luckily Ruby looked after her and that’s why we’re here,” commented Pat Fahy. “She was sour last season and took a lot of sweetening up and it’s great she’s won a race.”
Acting StewardS
S. Barry, C. Cunningham, Mrs T.K. Cooper, J. Murphy, P.D. Matthews
Horse To Follow
MICHEAL FLIPS (E. Bolger): He hadn’t run since May 2013 but he showed that he retains plenty of zest and ability in finishing third to Noble Endeavor. It will be interesting to see what direction he takes now.