CUBOMANIA was the least fancied of the four runners in the Listed Pierce Molony Memorial Novice Chase at a very well-attended Thurles last Saturday but that didn’t stop him coming out on top for Gordon Elliott and Davy Russell in an incident-packed race.
Jetz was entrusted with favouritism but, once again he was let down by his jumping at the head of affairs and dropped back to the rear with an early blunder at the third.
To his credit, he still managed to take second, 22 lengths behind the Cubomania Syndicate’s 5/1 chance who was left clear by the final fence fall of Benruben who was closing on the winner when trying to fiddle the last.
Only two horses completed the course after the second favourite Duca De Thaix burst a blood vessel and was pulled up. Cubomania is now an eight-time winner and Russell said: “I was just lucky but, at the same time, you have to give credit to Gordon for having the initiative to enter him.
“After he won a novice handicap in Perth, I thought he might win a few races but he’s been a revelation and has turned into a right horse.”
The rider then paid a lovely tribute to the late racecourse manager, saying: “Pierce was a gentleman and he was one of the first to start looking after the jockeys. He was a great man, great fun and when there was no sauna here, he invited us up to the house to sweat in the hot tub!”
APTLY NAMED
The half-length victory of Kieran Purcell’s enthusiastic top-of-the-ground flag-bearer You Can’t Catch Me in the Devil’s Bit Beginners Chase was further proof of just how quick the ground has become when the 10-year-old lived up to his name when kept at full stretch by J.J. Slevin to hold the favourite Stooshie’s effort by half a length.
“He needs fast ground,” emphasised the trainer whose daughter Elaine owns the 14/1 shot (€23.20 on the Tote).
Purcell added: “He’ll tip away for the summer in novice races. He’s a grand little horse to have and we’ll take it day by day in whatever comes up and whatever suits.”
Sizing Rome, from the Jim Dreaper stable, overcame a 139-day absence to take the Duggan Veterinary Supplies Handicap Chase in the colours of Ann & Alan Potts Limited.
Keith Donoghue’s mount led two out and pulled out that bit extra on the run-in to defeat the market leader Bee A Beneficiary.
Dreaper explained: “We thought he was a good ground horse and kept him going all last summer. The first week of November after Cork where he ran well for a novice behind Out Sam in the Cork National, I left him off.
“Then, from the middle of January, my horses were showing signs of being affected by the equine flu. Not all of them got it but I had no runners for maybe six weeks. I’ve only had a couple since but it might be all for luck.”
The trainer remarked of his 4/1 winner: “He took a while to get it together and that’s the level he’s at but it’s the ideal prep for a summer campaign.”
MISFORTUNE
There was an unfortunate postscript to the Adare Manor Opportunity Maiden Hurdle, won by the Robert Tyner-trained 7/1 shot Iconic Lady as she broke down badly after coming with a late surge under Jordan Canavan to get up in the last stride to deny Chiavari by a head, with Brog Ahaon a neck adrift in third.
He’s Okay, 9/2 joint favourite with State Of Cognac, had to settle for fourth.
Iconic Lady is owned and was bred by Martin Cullinane and the trainer’s wife Mary kept it short after the six-year-old failed to make it into the parade ring, saying: “She had a few good placed runs and all the allowances.”
Paul Townend rode his 99th winner of the season when combining with his boss Willie Mullins for a two-and-three-quarter-length success in the Enjoy White Gypsy @ Finns Borrisoleigh Hurdle with the even-money favourite Scarpeta.
Sandymount Duke set the pace but the ‘good thing’ was on his heels and went to the front between the last two.
Racing for Thurloe Thoroughbreds Ireland Limited, the Soldier Of Fortune gelding finished down the field in the Coral Cup at Cheltenham and his trainer said: “We’ll probably look for something similar at the Festivals, either Fairyhouse or Punchestown but if a race like that comes up down the country, we’ll take that as well. He was disappointing on the flat last year but this year might be different – I think we’ll find races for him and he can go on very good ground.”
Adrian Murphy’s holiday in Miami was made even better when Napoleon Blue jumped well to capture the Horse & Jockey 80-95 Handicap Hurdle by half a length in the hands of Sean Flanagan. Leading at the second last, the 8/1 winner was chased home by Sophie’s Best but there was no joy for supporters of the favourite Be My Dream who was pulled up lame after four out.
Napoleon Blue is jointly owned by Tony McLoughlin and Francis Hegarty, both of whom are from Mullingar.
The former said: “He’s a real nice horse and Adrian thinks he’ll make a good chaser but hopefully he’ll pick up another hurdle before then.”
The Ted Walsh-trained Dewcup, with Michael Stenson aboard, was a good 13/2 winner for her Co. Waterford owner/breeder Michael Ryan when coming out best in the www.thurlesraces.ie (Pro/Am) Flat race by three lengths, with the favourite Soviet Pimpernel only third.
“The mother (Elyaadi) and father (Finsceal Fior) – Michael owned the whole family!” was the comment from the trainer.
“I was disappointed with him in Leopardstown where he probably needed the run and Michael gave him a lovely ride. He’s a full-brother to Mini Dahill and he might go to Liverpool to run in the bumper.”
HORSE TO FOLLOW:
PEREGRINE RUN
(P. Fahey): Ran a pleasing race in second over hurdles behind Scarpeta on his return from a winter break which will set him up nicely for a tilt at the Topham.
ACTING STEWARDS:
J. Murphy, J. Powell,
P.F. Ronan, P. Dunican,
L. Walsh.