JENNIES Jewel has been a dream mare for her trainer Jarlath Fahey and Naas owner Andrew McIntyre in recent times. She added further to her tally in the Thurles Racecourse Hurdle when upsetting Andrew McNamara’s bid for his first training success with a ready win over Val De Ferbet.
This three-mile contest developed into a match between the pair on the approach to the third last but the hotpot was being shaken up after the next. Jennies Jewel, in contrast, was full of running at that stage and headed her rival before the final flight, going away to deliver by four and a half lengths in the hands of Ian McCarthy.
Fahey said of his 2/1 winner: “Her form had been seriously franked in Cheltenham, with Vroum Vroum Mag and Diamond King both winning. Punchestown will definitely be on the agenda and she’ll be covered by Presenting between now and then. The mares’ hurdle is the better option but she needs three miles at this stage so I might make an entry for the stayers as well.”
Reflecting on his five time winner’s achievements the Monasterevin trainer concluded: “She’s just been unbelievable. She’s only a handy size but she’s all heart and I think she’s only been out of the prize money four or five times in her career from 43 or 44 runs. It’ll be a sad day when she retires.”
Co Galway handler Steve Mahon has an exciting prospect on his hands in Tom Quinn’s dual bumper scorer Champagne Harmony who made a successful debut over timber in the Martinstown Opportunity Maiden Hurdle.
Ridden by Ger Fox, the even-money favourite swept into the lead off the last bend and sealed the issue with a bold jump at the final flight. At the line the six-year-old son of Stowaway had an impressive 17 lengths in hand over Crocodile Dundee.
Champagne Harmony has plenty of size and scope and Mahon remarked: “I can’t wait until he goes chasing. I ran him in a listed bumper at Navan on the basis that he would then run in the Cheltenham bumper but he pulled a muscle that day and was lame behind for two weeks.
“He’s a lazy horse and I would have liked this race to be two and a half miles, rather than two but when I saw it I thought it was an opportunity for both the horse and my former neighbour Ger. I’’ll give him another run, maybe in a novice hurdle and then park him up for a summer’s grass.”
FLANGAN WINNING
Jockey Sean Flanagan is enjoying a purple patch and teamed up with his long-time supporter Liz Doyle to take the Templemore Beginners Chase with the always prominent 16/1 outsider Follow The Swallow.
The Anna Gannon Syndicate’s eight-year-old was in front after two out and nailed it close home for a three-quarter length victory over Macs Legend, with the odds-on favourite and long-time leader Chatham House Rule a further three lengths adrift in third.
Doyle said: “The ground (officially yielding) was a huge change around for him because he wants really nice ground. He jumped like a stag today and his jumping was worth 10 lengths in a beginners’ chase.”
Co Cork trainer Mary Louise Hallahan sent out her father Con’s 7/1 shot Kansas City Chief for a three-quarters of a length success in an eventful Jimmy Neville Memorial Beginners Chase. All the drama here was at the final fence where Hurricane Darwin, who appeared to be the likely winner, fell, slightly hampering both market leader Fine Article and the eventual winner.
Kansas City Chief took full advantage for Andrew Lynch to collect at the expense of So Young. Hallahan commented: “We were probably lucky but Andrew still thinks he may have stayed on for second. We’ll look for a winners of one over a trip and Andrew gave him a great ride.”
LYNCH DOUBLE
Lynch doubled up aboard Mick The Jiver, a 6/1 chance from the Eoghan O’Grady stable, in the Clonoulty 80-95 Handicap Hurdle. This race was marred by the fatal fall of Vic Approach, who was challenging in second at the time, at the last obstacle.
Mick The Jiver went on to contain the determined flourish of Sarah Battle, who was inconvenienced by the faller, by a neck. O’Grady rushed off to saddle his runner in the finale and it was left to his father Arthur, the winning owner, to comment: “He’s tough and he battles.”
Market leader Candle Island’s jockey Davy Russell reported that his mount was pulled up, having made jumping errors and become detached from the main contenders.
Norman Lee’s previous course winner Rebel Cry, the 11/4 favourite, was a comfortable victor of the Devil’s Bit Handicap Chase off bottom-weight, leading from three out under Jack Kennedy to oblige by three and a quarter lengths from The Conker Club.
The nine-year-old’s trainer stated: “He did it well and likes it around here. He’s owned by a good owner of mine Michael Hogan from Castletroy and we’ll find a similar contest for him.”
The stewards were called into action after the outcome of the Littleton Flat Race, in which the Tom Hogan-trained Cant Wait passed the post a nose in front of Arena Seven. After deliberating into possible interference between the two principals inside the final furlong, they were satisfied that Cant Wait had improved his placing in relation to Arena Seven and ordered that the placings be reversed.
Gillian Callaghan has care of the promoted 33/1 longshot for the ER Syndicate from Donegal and the newcomer was giving his 22 year-old rider Paul Bannon his second win in the saddle.
Acting Stewards
J. Rearden, P. Ronan, J. Murphy, S. Quinn.
HORSE TO FOLLOW
HURRICANE DARWIN (A. Fleming) Looked to be an unlucky casualty at the final obstacle on his first run over fences but should make amends the next time.
Hayes banned
CLAIMER Frank Hayes picked up a two-day ban in the fourth race for failing to comply with the starter’s instructions.
Enright x-rayed
JOCKEY Mark Enright went for X-rays on his right hand after his fall from Miradane in the handicap chase.