AS expected, Douvan prepared for his forthcoming trip to Cheltenham with an effortless success in the Grade 2 Boylesports Tied Cottage Chase which illustrating this stellar talent’s wellbeing.
As he looked to make it 13 straight wins since joining Willie Mullins, Douvan faced perhaps the easiest assignment of his career and he didn’t need to break sweat. He remains in excellent heart ahead of a quest for a third successive Cheltenham triumph and the Susannah Ricci-owned Douvan remains a red hot 1/3 favourite for next month’s Queen Mother.
The soft-ground-loving Smashing looked the one that would give Douvan most to do but the 1/14 favourite eased ahead of that rival after the first fence for Ruby Walsh. Douvan jumped and travelled with his usual élan without exerting himself.
When Smashing pulled-up lame at the end of the backstraight, the 33/1 shots Draycott Place and Realt Mor were left giving chase but they never threatened. Douvan posted a leisurely six and a half-length triumph over Realt Mor, who finished well ahead of Draycott Place.
“He didn’t show us anything that he hasn’t shown us before. I’m relieved that’s over,” was Willie Mullins entirely accurate comment.
“Deadly,” was the reflection of Ruby Walsh. “I jumped by Smashing at the first and my horse just sauntered around at his own speed. I gave him a squeeze at the back of the second last and he just jumped out through the bridle. He’s a wonderful horse and it’s great to see people coming out to watch him. Cork got a great crowd when he ran there and it’s been the same at Leopardstown and here.”
Ross O’Sullivan and his wife Katie Walsh teamed up for their biggest success together as Baie Des Iles (8/1) ground her rivals into submission in the Racing UK-sponsored Grand National Trial. The soft-ground-loving grey, who ran a fine fifth in the Welsh National last time, produced an exhibition of jumping from the front and plenty of her rivals were struggling some way from home in this three and a half-mile contest.
Twelve months ago Bonny Kate beat the winner into second in this race and she looked the only threat from the fourth last but she could do no more turning for home. This left the staying-on Sambremont to come through and secure second late on but he was still almost five lengths adrift at the line.
“Three and a half miles on soft ground is her thing,” stated a delighted O’Sullivan, who trains the winner for Zorka Wentworth. “I was delighted with her run at Chepstow but Katie felt that maybe she didn’t enjoy being in behind horses that day so she wanted to be positive on her today. We’ll probably look at the Eider Chase at the end of the month and she’ll get an entry in the Irish National but the concern would be that the ground might not be soft enough for her by then.”
Willie Mullins ended the day with a double as Isleofhopendreams bounced back from his unlucky Christmas defeat to win the Pertemps Network Group Handicap Hurdle. The sparingly campaigned 10-year-old, who was making just the 12th appearance of his career, had absolutely no trouble coping with a 6lb rise up the ratings for his neck defeat in the Leopardstown qualifier of this series.
A patient Danny Mullins switched the 11/2 joint-favourite to the inside in the straight and the pair stormed into contention before picking off Sutton Manor after the last for a two and a quarter-length triumph. Presenting Percy and Glenloe, who finished fourth and fifth respectively, were others to show up well with a view to the final of this series at Cheltenham.
“He’s improving all the time. I’d imagine that will get him into the final at Cheltenham,” declared Mullins, whose charge is owned by the Down-based Kilbroney Racing Partnership.
150 WINNERS
A double for Gordon Elliott moved the trainer on to the 150-winner mark for the season and his Mick Jazz (7/1) kicked off the brace by turning over Cilaos Emery in the Listed INH Stallion Owners EBF Novice Hurdle. The latter created quite an impression in winning a maiden before Christmas but the more experienced 134-rated Mick Jazz boasted the best form by virtue of his third in a high-class handicap hurdle at Fairyhouse two months previously.
This duo fought out the finish and the market leader edged ahead early on the run-in but Mick Jazz answered Jack Kennedy’s every call to finish strongly and prevail by a neck.
“We were toying with the idea of the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury but winners at home are important so we came here,” declared Gordon Elliott, who trains the winner for George Mahoney. “You’d be wondering what he’d find off the bridle but, in fairness, he pulled out all the stops there. I’d say he’ll head towards the County Hurdle.”
The Elliott double was completed by Oakley Hall (9/4) who built on two runner-up finishes to land the bumper in willing style. The Jamie Codd-ridden son of Milan responded well to his rider’s directions to overhaul the front-running Judgement Day in the final yards and looks a nice staying prospect for the future.
“This track wouldn’t have been ideal for him and he wants a trip, he’s a nice chasing type. He’s owned by the wife of Niall Hannity of Racing UK fame and he’s for sale,” reported the trainer.
It was a day to remember for jockey Donal McInerney as the jockey rode the first winner of his career from his first ride as a professional on the Cheltenham-bound Auvergnat (9/2) in the P.P. Hogan Memorial Cross Country Chase.
Just eight days after falling in a cross-country chase at Cheltenham, the J.P. McManus-owned runner confirmed that he is an emerging force in this discipline. McInerney bided his time as Ballyboker Bridge and Colour Squadron engaged in a lengthy duel up front and it was only on the run to the last that he produced his mount to lead. Auvergnat kept going well on the testing ground to repel Usuel Smurfer by a length and a half.
“It’s great for Donal who has been with us a few years and is a very hard worker,” said Enda Bolger. “The ground is testing and the front two probably took each other on and this horse was there to pounce.”
The useful Velocity Boy (9/4) got off the mark over fences with a clear-cut triumph in the Michael Fitzpatrick Memorial Beginners Chase over two and three-quarter miles.
In a race where only two horses counted from a long way out, Barry Cash made the running on Velocity Boy. When Robin Thyme clouted the second last, the race looked as good as over which left the Ardattin Grange Syndicate-owned Velocity Boy to come home a dozen lengths clear.
“We felt as though he’d get this trip and now we’ll look at something better for him.” remarked trainer William Murphy. “There is a good novice handicap chase at Naas later in the month.”
ACTING STEWARDS
P. Caffrey, N. McCaffrey, M. O’Connor, J. Gaisford-St. Lawrence, S. Quinn
Horse To Follow
SIRE DU BERLAIS (G. Elliott): This French import ran with promise to take third in the novice hurdle won by Mick Jazz. There should be plenty of improvement forthcoming.