FOR the second time within a month in Ireland, safety concerns regarding a slippy and greasy surface at a racetrack led to the abandonment of the last two flat races on this mixed card, which led to an hour long interval before the National Hunt action got underway.
A number of runners in the first three races slipped at various stages of their respective events, notably in the opening juvenile maiden.
After the third race, the stewards received representations from a number of riders regarding the safety of the surface and in the interests of safety the two remaining flat races were scrapped.
This decision followed a similar situation at Cork less than a month ago where a slippy surface saw the last two flat races fall by the wayside.
“A number of the riders expressed concerns that their horses had slipped on various bends so we have abandoned the two remaining flat races,” said clerk of the course Lorcan Wyer.
“In the past under similar conditions we have aerated the bends which has worked well. The track has always ridden well and there hasn’t been any slippage. Unfortunately the horses just weren’t getting any purchase on the ground tonight.
“Maybe it’s the recent dry spell and the two millimeters of rain we had here this afternoon but I can’t quite put my finger on what was different about this evening,” concluded Wyer.
Colm O’Donoghue, whose mount Tinder pulled-up in the opener having slipped as well as being hampered by another runner that slipped, commented: “Everyone has done their best and there is a nice dig in the ground tonight but the horses just weren’t getting a grip on the ground. It’s just one of things and it’s unfortunate.”
In the featured thetote.com Connacht National Handicap Chase Aranhill Chief (14/1) repeated his heroics from 12 months ago to become the second back-to-back winner of the race in its brief history.
Stephen Mahon’s charge hadn’t won since the 2015 edition of this extended three miles contest but he showed all his old zest under Kevin Sexton.
The Patrick Kelly-owned gelding was never out of the first two and he battled on tremendously well in the straight to fend off the 3/1 joint-favourite Sir Abbot. Aranhill Chief crossed the line with a length and a quarter to spare, while top-weight Mr Diablo was a further five lengths back.
“I was disgusted with how he jumped at Ballinrobe last time but I schooled him myself the other morning and he was much better,” said Mahon. “He’s a tough little horse and he just hasn’t been jumping like he can. He’s won the Galway Blazers before and has good course form at Galway so we’ll look at going back there.”
The impressive Gambling Girl made short work of her two opponents in the Dermot Hughes Car Sales Novice Chase to set up a double for Jessica Harrington and Robbie Power.
Fresh from a smooth win at Killarney last month the 13/8 shot moved past the odds-on Chatham House Rule before the fourth last and she looked to have this race under control leaving the back straight.
Robbie Power never had to get animated in the straight for the River Racing Partnership-owned mare to saunter to a 14 lengths success over the favourite.
“She’s a super jumper and she really rattles off that ground. I let her stride on down the back and she won hard held really,” reflected the winning rider.
Sandymount Duke (4/9) brought up the double as he atoned for an odds-on defeat at Killarney with an all the way triumph in the two and a half miles beginners’ chase.
The Ron Wood-owned and bred gelding jumped well throughout and when he needed to raise his effort early in the straight to deal with Full Cry he did so.
The latter was seen off on the approach to the last and Sandymount Duke finished seven and a half lengths clear of Hard To Call who did well to finish so close following an indifferent round of jumping.
“The ground was perfect for him here, it was maybe a shade quick for him last time,” commented Power. “I was probably a bit careful on him on at Killarney but I was more aggressive on him today and he jumped super. The further he goes the better he’ll be.”
The flat action was headed by Andy Slattery’s Branch Line (7/2) who made a winning debut in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Auction Maiden.
This son of Rip Van Winkle, who is the first horse to carry the colours of the trainer’s wife Mary, took up a good position from his wide draw and he travelled nicely through the race for Billy Lee.
Nothing was going better as the last quarter of a mile loomed and, in the closing stages, Branch Line responded well to pressure to see off Billy Big. He crossed the line a length and three-parts ahead of Randall Stevens.
“He’s as good as any flat horse I’ve ever had and he’s the only two-year-old I’ve had that could work with An Saighdiur and go away from him,” commented Slattery.
“He was a bit coltish beforehand, he was a bit green and his wide draw was a worry, but he’s in the National Stakes and that’s what I think of him.”
“He’s about 16.2h and I’m going to take my time with him for a while and maybe look at a listed race in about six weeks and then have a crack at the National Stakes. His colours are the same as those of Winning Fair (Champion Hurdle winner) who my father won nice races on.”
Dermot Weld’s Munaashid (evens), who showed up well in maidens won by Hit It A Bomb and Idaho last autumn, confirmed that promise in the 10 furlongs Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden.
The Hamdan Al Maktoum-owned son of Lonhro was sent to the front by Pat Smullen nearing the last furlong and he steadily saw off the pace-setting Benny Paret to finish with two and a half lengths to spare.
“His form last year entitled him to do that. He quickened up nicely and hopefully he’ll progress from it,” remarked Smullen.
Sister Slew (9/1) bagged her first win on turf for almost three years, and her fifth career success in total, in the 47-65 rated handicap over seven furlongs.
The Robbie Downey-ridden six-year-old seized control of the race with over a furlong to run and finished three lengths ahead of the always prominent Clear Focus. Shane Nolan trains the winner for Martin and Eithne McManus.
ACTING STEWARDS
D. Pugh, R. Groarke, R.W.T. Brabazon, G. McCourt, P.D. Matthews
HORSE TO FOLLOW
RANDAL STEVENS (M.D. O’Callaghan): He was well backed to improve on his midfield finish at Leopardstown last month and duly did so by taking second behind the smart looking Branch Line. A similar event looks well within his reach.