STANJAMES.COM

MORGIANA HURDLE

(Grade 1)

NICHOLS Canyon obviously failed to read the script for last Sunday’s StanJames.com Morgiana Hurdle as his defeat of the previously imperious Faugheen stunned a large Punchestown crowd.

The Champion Hurdler was sent off 1/6 for his return to action in the Grade 1 with an extension of his unblemished record expected to be a mere formality.

He met a seriously tough nut in Nichols Canyon, however, who refused to roll over and play second fiddle to his illustrious stablemate.

Rising star David Mullins grasped his opportunity with both hands as he kicked before the last on the 7/1 shot, who made all in the two-mile contest.

Faugheen could find no answers as he toiled under Ruby Walsh, only getting to within half a length of Andrea Wylie’s gelding at the line.

Willie Mullins saddled the first three home with Wicklow Brave a length and a quarter further back.

“That worked out completely different from the way they worked on Tuesday. Faugheen left Nichols for dead - maybe he left his race behind, I don’t know,” said Mullins.

“Nichols won four Grade 1s last year and he’s no back number by any means. He looks like a Champion Hurdle horse now, rather than the stayers.

“Faugheen was a little disappointing. Ruby said he hung but horses hang when they get tired. Maybe he just met a good horse.

“They went a good gallop and Nichols did it the hard way, out in front, and jumped fantastic. Maybe he has improved more.

“Until he tells me something wasn’t right I’m not making any excuses for Faugheen. (Mullins later reported that nothing had come to light.) We’ll see how they come out of the race and they’ll be entered in all those races that Champion Hurdle horses should be in.

“They’ll probably have to take on each other but if we can keep them apart we will. Nichols Canyon was under the radar last year. He was a second string but did win four Grade 1s.

“We used the wrong tactics with him at Cheltenham and that took the gloss off him a bit. It was our fault. He put in a huge performance today.”

Sizing still the star novice

THE novice chasers were the chief support acts on the day and Sizing John took another step up the ladder with a smooth success in the Grade 2 Ryans Cleaners Craddockstown Novice Chase.

Jonathan Burke had the 4/7 shot prominent throughout and he moved a few lengths clear of Lord Scoundrel turning for home.

Henry de Bromhead’s charge kept on well when asked for an effort in the closing stages to score by eight lengths in the colours of Ann and Alan Potts.

“I’m delighted with that. It was a super ride by Johnny and he jumped great,” said de Bromhead. “That wouldn’t be his preferred ground but it was good to see him working through it and I’m very happy all in all.

“He lost the bit of company but Johnny said coming to the last he thought the race was over. He beat a good horse there and he won on heavy ground so we’re happy.

“He’ll get an entry now at Leopardstown at Christmas. That looks the natural progression. We’ll see what we meet there - maybe some old foes.

“On that ground I’d be in no rush to step him up in trip. He’s never done it but he does look like a horse that will go further.

“We’ll see how things go at Christmas but if he’s still in the Cheltenham reckoning he’ll get an entry in both the Jewson and the Arkle.”

Staying was the name of the game in the Grade 2 Florida Pearl Chase and Shantou Flyer showed reserves of stamina to land the two mile and six furlong contest for Colin Bowe.

Barry O’Neill hit the front four out on the 5/1 shot and he had to battle back to regain his lead two from home having been headed briefly.

The gelding, owned by Sean O’Neill from Castledermot, kept on well in the closing stages to score by a length and a quarter from Captain Von Trappe.

“He was very good. He went on soft ground before in Navan so we knew the ground would probably be okay but I was surprised how well he handled it,” said Bowe.

“He might go now for the Fort Leney over three miles at Leopardstown and then go to Cheltenham for the four-miler.

“Barry said he was very professional today and jumped brilliant. Even when he stuck him in short he was very good and I’m delighted with that.

“He stays very well and he’s improving all the time. He’ thriving with racing and is in good form. We’ll play it by ear with him.”

Colla Pier also overcame any doubts about handling softer ground when running out a convincing winner of the opening Irish Daily Mirror Handicap Hurdle.

Jack Kennedy produced the 13/2 shot to lead at the last and she powered clear for a three and three quarter length success.

“I thought the ground had gone on her but she handled that well,” said Paddy Mooney, who trains the mare for David Dunne.

“I’m delighted. Jack gave her a great ride, she jumped great and came home well. She has a bit of a wind problem and the soft ground can catch her out a bit. We’ll look for another handicap now if the handicapper isn’t too hard on us.

“That was a much better performance than last time. She finished a bit dead in the north and was lucky to get to the line.

“She has a bit of toe from the flat, as she won over a mile and two furlongs and she’s slick over her hurdles which helps.”

Conal looked a nice stayer in the making when making a winning ‘track’ debut in the two mile and six furlong maiden hurdle at Punchestown.

Ruby Walsh made the running on the six-year-old and he responded well when tackled by Blessed King before the final flight to post a two-length victory.

“Staying chasing will be his job and that’s a bonus. He looks to be a nice horse,” said trainer Dermot McLoughlin.

“Ruby said he travelled and travelled and pick up when he asked him. He kept galloping, loved the conditions and jumps well so it’s all positive.

“I’ll talk to Mr Conway as I don’t know what the initial plans are. We might keep him over hurdles.”

Steel Wave continued his fine recent form when claiming the Flynn & Lynch Life And Pensions Handicap Hurdle.

Mark Enright got a nice run up the inner to lead after the second last on Garrett Power’s charge and the 11/4 favourite stuck on well in the closing stages to beat Back Before Dawn by a length.

For the second day running Jessica Harrington saddled the bumper winner as Billy’s Hope opened her account in good style.

Kate Harrington produced the 4/1 shot to lead a furlong and a half out and she went on for a two and a half length success over Coeur Joyeux.

“It’s great she’s won as she was just beaten the last day. She’s a beautifully-bred filly,” said Harrington.

“She may pull out again for the mares listed bumper at Navan although it might come a bit too quick. She loves that ground, that’s what she needs. She won well and was doing nothing in front.

“The owners (Flyers Syndicate) also have Cailin Annamh and it was a similar syndicate that had Macs Joy. It’s great for them. She’s a lovely filly and they lease her.”

ACTING STEWARDS

J.O. Onions, T. Hunt, J. Murphy, Mrs T.K Cooper, P.D. Matthews

HORSE TO FOLLOW

SIZING JOHN (H. de Bromhead): He has taken to fences like a duck to water and looks the one they all have to beat.