DUNGARVAN trainer David McGrath was back in the winner’s enclosure at Thurles after a 16-year absence, following Goulane Chosen’s three and a half-length success in the Cashel Maiden Hurdle which put the seal on a double for 3lb claimer Brian Hayes.
Homebred in Ring, Co Waterford by Mary O’Donnell, the six-year-old son of Well Chosen put the experience he gained in a number of placed efforts to good use here to win his first race.
In doing so the 2/1 joint favourite was upholding previous form with the other joint favourite Speed Demon who had to settle for the fourth spot.
McGrath, who had several good staying chasers, notably Leopardstown Chase winner Sullane River in his care in the 1990s, explained: “I’m trying to get back into the game. This horse won a point-to-point in Nenagh last January and he’ll have one more run before he’s left off. That was his owner’s first winner on the track.”
Hayes had earlier got the meeting, and punters off to a good start with a cosy win aboard the Garry Ahern-trained Our Katie in the opening Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Novice Chase.
The game 11/10 favourite, who was on the mark at the last Thurles meeting two weeks previously, jumps for fun and was well-suited by this step up in trip.
She was in the first two throughout and had victory in her sights once given the office before three out. Owned by Eileen Barry from Bartlemy, the 11/10 favourite scooted away from the final obstacle to beat the long-time leader Down Ace by a snug four and a half lengths. “Brian said he never had to get after her today,” said the trainer, adding: “There’s no plan. She’s had two quick runs and the Dawn Run race at Limerick remains her target.”
Jockey Andrew McNamara rode his first winner for trainer Liam Burke on the 9/4 favourite Sumos Novios in the Ballycahill Beginners Chase.
Carrying the yellow and black colours made famous by The Listener and owned by the Dorset-based Old Moss Syndicate, the seven-year-old took it up on the run to the fifth from home and kept up the gallop to register a four and a half-length success over Bold Conquest.
Sumos Novios is a strapping horse in the mould of an old-fashioned chaser and his handler remarked: “He’s 17.2hh and is just a very hard horse to keep condition on. Even at home I have to keep him away from other horses because he can get ‘lit’ up. For a big horse he’s so athletic and well able to shorten up.”
My Murphy was the trainer’s last winner at Navan in March 2014 and Burke quipped: “Never mind being on the cold list - I was colder than cold! We’ll look at a novice handicap in Navan for him next.”
Ger Fox and Steve Mahon combined to land a touch with He Rock’s in the Rock Of Cashel Handicap Chase.
The six-year-old, who races in the livery of his Kilcolgan owner Tom Quinn, was 40/1 in the morning and was backed into 14/1, recouping that investment with interest with a four length defeat of the staying-on Truckin All Night.
“I said to Tom this is his day and would have been disappointed if he hadn’t shown some sort of form,” said Mahon.
“Ger is a neighbour of mine from home and he comes down and schools for me once a week. He reminds me of Barry Geraghty at the same stage when he was just starting out and said he only had one anxious moment in the race.
“I know I’m a dreamer but I’ve always held this horse in the same regards as Prince Of Tara who won a Troytown Chase for me and he reminds me of him. It’s a long way to go to the Troytown but I can see him progressing along those lines and he loves soft ground.”
Sue Magnier’s familiar colours were carried to success by the always-prominent market leader Lockstockandbarrel in the thurles.ie Maiden Hurdle.
The Willie Mullins-trained Flemensfirth gelding won readily on his hurdling bow in the hands of Ruby Walsh, drawing clear from two out to prevail by nine lengths.
The 11/10 favourite’s jockey stated: “He jumped super and on his bumper form he was good enough to win. He was green in front a bit but I wouldn’t mind being light enough to ride a few more horses in those colours!”
Jockey Mark Enright maintained his good recent run of success thanks to Samanntom’s dogged front-running performance in the Killanan Handicap Hurdle. Sent to post the 5/1 favourite the seven-year-old Portrait Gallery gelding ran his rivals ragged to collect for the local Aidan Fogarty stable with a nice bit in hand by four lengths from The Grey Guy.
Kilfeacle-based Fogarty trains Samanntom for his father Joe and nominated a two mile six furlong race at Punchestown on Wednesday for his winner. “He was sick at Christmas - that’s why I didn’t run him but he’s a fine big horse.”
Sheila Lavery’s all-the-way scorer Laid Back Luke turned in the most impressive performance of the day when blitzing the field in the Munster INH Flat Race.
Jamie Codd’s mount, a steady 12/1 chance from 33/1 in the morning, never saw a rival and stretched clear inside the final quarter mile to slam Ballybryan by 17 lengths. The favourite Gala Ball finished a further length and a half away in third.
Lavery was understandably thrilled with Laid Back Luke’s effort and related: “I only got him nine days ago but he deserved that because he should have been placed in his first point-to-point and won the second.
“He’s owned by neighbours of mine who I persuaded to put him into training. It’s lovely to have a National Hunt horse in the yard and he won a schooling bumper under Robbie Colgan on the bridle in Fairyhouse. He’ll go for a maiden hurdle somewhere if he’s not sold in the meantime.”
ACTING STEWARDS
T. Rudd, A.J. Molloy, E. Halley, M.F. O’Donoghue
HORSE TO FOLLOW
BALLYBRYAN (J.A. Nash): He seems to be progressing in the right direction and was the only horse to get within sight of the very impressive bumper winner Laid Back Luke on his second start. Sure to get his turn before too long.