ALAN Fleming continued his impressive start to the jumps campaign when saddling a double at Punchestown last Saturday.
The Curragh handler took his recent record to six winners from seven winners when Tully East and Marakoush both ran out convincing winners in the colours of Barry Connell.
Tully East was sent off 11/4 favourite for his handicap debut in the Cavan Supporters Club Novice Handicap Hurdle and made light of his mark of 120.
Adrian Heskin produced his mount to lead two from home and he asserted on the run-in to post a cosy three and a quarter-length victory over Prince Kup.
“We’re very pleased with him. We were quite disappointed after Tipperary (last of six) but it was my own fault as I shouldn’t have run him on the goodish ground,” said Fleming. “He loves soft ground. He did that well today and hopefully he’ll improve and step up.
“He’s a lovely looking horse by a great sire (Shantou). He has it all ahead of him. He’s a great jumper and will hopefully make a good chaser.”
DOUBLE
Marakoush landed the brace with a powerful front-running performance in the two-and-a-half mile Kildare Now Maiden Hurdle.
The 7/2 shot soon opened up a healthy advantage under Heskin and although coming back a bit before the straight he kept on strongly in the closing stages to post a 12-length success over Road To Respect.
“He’s lovely - really nice. He improved a lot from Naas,” said Fleming. “He was quite keen and we’ll probably have to work on that. He enjoyed the trip and the ground.
“We’ll have to get him to settle a bit better the next day. That looked a very good maiden hurdle and he’s after doing it well.”
MULLINS FAMILY
It was a day of doubles with Danny Mullins and his uncle Willie both claiming two winners on the card. Danny Mullins teamed up with Paul Hennessy in the opening Ballymore GAA Christmas Fair 3-Y-O Hurdle as front-running Thywillbedone ran out a game winner.
The Holy Roman Emperor filly had enough in reserve at the end to hold the run of 5/2 favourite Newberry New by half a length.
“I only have the one and I bred her so it’s great. I’ve trained thousands of winners but I’m shaking like a leaf after that - it’s unreal the buzz,” said leading greyhound handler Hennessy.
“What Danny Mullins has done with her for the last three months is unreal. It’s like that Salt ‘N’ Pepa song Whatta Man! He’s been very patient with her. He comes in to ride her three mornings a week before he goes to Willies’. I said I’d try and get a race before Willie comes out with all his. I don’t care what happens for the rest of the year now.
“She’s only rated 44 for Dundalk so that’s an option and Danny thinks she’ll improve again.”
Danny Mullins then teamed up with his uncle as the David Lawlor-owned Whiteout gave the champion trainer the first leg of his brace in the featured Grabel (Mares) Hurdle.
The front-running Gitane Du Berlais was sent off 8/11 favourite for the listed contest but faded in the closing stages as Whiteout took it up going to the last and beat another stable-mate Valyssa Monterg as the Closutton team filled the places.
“The way the race was run - everyone seemed to want to take on Gitane Du Berlais, cooking her goose and their own goose,” said Willie Mullins. “The other two mares picked up the pieces and I believe soft ground is key to Whiteout.”
Willie Mullins completed his double in the Gain Support Laois GAA Beginners Chase as Outlander made a winning debut over fences.
The Gigginstown gelding was always prominent, under Bryan Cooper, and the 7/4 shot hit the lead before the second last to record a length-and-a-half success over Free Expression.
“It was a very good race and jumping won it for him. He made one or two mistakes but he was racing the whole way. I was very impressed,” said Mullins. “He looked like he would get further there but he’s by Stowaway and they do not appear to get three miles.
“The Drinmore will have to be looked at if he recovers in time. I was very pleased with his jumping.”
Jumping also won the day for J.P. McManus’ Quantitativeeasing as he excelled over the banks, under Nina Carberry, in the Risk Of Thunder Chase.
Enda Bolger had the first two home as the 11/4 shot went clear before the second last for a three-and-three-quarter length victory over Love Rory. On His Own wasn’t quite as quick over some of the obstacles and the 13/8 favourite could only finish seventh.
“That’s the first race he’s won for us since we got him. He was really sweet today,” said Bolger. “Obviously we were worried about On His Own but the experience was a big help.
“He’ll stick to the cross-country races and might got to Cheltenham next month.”
DIVIDENDS
The decision to skip the cross-country contest with Rossvoss paid dividends as he landed the two-mile, six-furlong handicap chase earlier on the card.
Ruby Walsh, teaming up with his father Ted, gave the 14/1 shot a perfectly timed ride as he led before the last to secure a two-length victory in the colours of Dermot Desmond.
“I was going to run him in the cross-country race but when I saw On His Own and a few other highly rated ones in there I thought he might as well run in his own company,” said Ted Walsh. “I may run him in the cross-country handicap at Cheltenham in December. He jumps those fences well.”
Jessica Harrington unleashed an exciting looking prospect in the concluding bumper as Our Duke posted an impressive 21-length success.
Kate Harrington sent the 16/1 shot for home before the straight and the Oscar gelding galloped on strongly in the closing stages.
“He’s a full-brother to the horse that won at Clonmel (Oscar Sam) so the Cooper family are happy!” said Harrington. He was really good I actually didn’t think he’d do that. I thought there might be smarter and quicker horses in it than him.
“He stayed galloping the whole way and it was brilliant. He’s absolutely gorgeous and when he came into the parade ring he grew about six inches. Soft ground suits him.”
Disappointing
Clonard Street only beat one horse home in the opening juvenile hurdle, disappointing for a horse placed in stakes company on the flat. Jockey Mark Walsh reported to the stewards that his mount jumped poorly and post-race samples were taken for analysis. Paper favourite, Clonard Street opened at 13/8 on course but within seven minutes drifted to an SP of 5/1. On Betfair Clonard Street was steady in morning trading between 2.5 (6/4) and 2.76 (7/4) but in the final seven minutes before the start he drifted from 3.6 (5/2) out to 8.4 (over 7/1).
ACTING STEWARDS
S. Barry, P. Caffrey, M. O’Connor, J. Rearden, P.D. Matthews
HORSE TO FOLLOW
OUR DUKE (Mrs J. Harrington): He was impressive in the bumper and looks capable of claiming another soon.