BALLYCHORUS booked her ticket to Cheltenham for the four-mile NH Chase with a confidence-boosting success under Adrian Heskin in the day’s most valuable event, the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Novice Chase at Thurles on Thursday.
Barry Connell, who owns this likeable seven-time scorer was on hand to see his mare make every yard of the running and must have been relieved to see her safely negotiate the final obstacle, before coming home nine lengths clear of Emcon.
Sent off the 2/5 favourite to make amends for her two last fence falls in good class races Ballychorus jumped well in the main and her trainer Mag Mullins said afterwards: “I’m relieved to get a clear round with her and she was very good there.
“I’m thinking of the four-miler in Cheltenham for her and think she’ll be much better on better ground.”
Trainer Jim Dreaper sent out his fourth winner of the week when the Alan Potts-owned 2/11 favourite Kayf Supreme got off the mark at the fourth attempt over fences in the Ballycahill Beginners Chase.
Davy Russell’s mount was always prominent and jumped on at the seventh from home. With Kansas City Chief the only one able to keep tabs on him from that point on Kayf Supreme was able to run out an easy 17-length winner at the line.
His handler commented: “He’s been consistent but had wind issues last year. He’s had a number of wind ops and the surgeon said there was nothing more to cut out so we just tie his tongue down and hope for the best. We’ll try and find something similar again.”
Gigginstown’s number one rider Bryan Cooper initiated a double when steering the Willie Mullins-trained 4/6 favourite Burgas to a comfortable all-the-way four and a half length win over Mr Antolini in the two mile Thurles.ie Maiden Hurdle.
The jockey reported: “He jumped great, much better today and did it quite easily. Hopefully he can step up to novice company now and he’ll be a fine chaser for next year.”
Cooper doubled up for his boss half an hour later when combining with Eoin Griffin for a length victory through another odds-on favourite Road To Respect in the Cashel Maiden Hurdle.
Griffin reflected: “To be honest I didn’t think at the start of the season I’d be standing here in February, waiting for this fellow to win a maiden hurdle.
“He’s had a couple of tough races and is still a bit weak behind the saddle. He still has a bit of developing to do but he’s a nice horse for the future so we’ll mind him for the rest of the season and drop him back in trip.
“I’d imagine the Michael Purcell race in two weeks’ time will come a bit soon so we’ll probably go to Fairyhouse for the two and a half mile novice there and then kick on to Punchestown. I’d imagine he’d appreciate better ground but he’s not a good ground horse.”
Willie Mullins demonstrated just why he is top dog at this track when supplementing Burgas’ victory with a decisive five-length win for Luke McMahon’s French-bred Augustin on his seasonal reappearance in the Munster INH Flat Race.
A drifter in the betting out to 7/4 favourite, the six-year-old was in command under the trainer’s son Patrick from over a furlong out on his first outing since last March and his rider expects further improvement.
He commented: “He’s very relaxed and I think he’ll make a great three miler because he just stays going. I think he’s one that’ll continue to improve and continue to give his owner great fun.”
Co Galway-based trainer Shane Ryder was on the mark in the two mile and six furlong Rock Of Cashel 0-102 Handicap Chase with 14/1 shot Garrai Phaidin who blazed the trail up front for Brian O’Connell and survived several blunders to win, eased down by a 16-length margin from Adams Wood.
Market leader Milanesque was a close second when coming to grief at the final fence, an obstacle that also claimed both Toomdeely and Classic Jewel on the first circuit and was omitted on both circuits as a result.
Ryder has care of Garrai Phaidin for Paul Collevy from Mountbellew and remarked: “He has a little bit of ability but his jumping can be erratic at times and your heart is in your mouth with him.”
The Mikey Fogarty-ridden Go It Alone was on offer at 20/1 that morning and the well-supported 7/1 chance scored for the four member Neveronyourown Syndicate, which includes his trainer Colin Bowe, by eight lengths in the Killinan 80-95 Handicap Hurdle.
“The step up in trip probably helped him. He stays well and handled that ground,” said Bowe, adding: “We’ll play it by ear because he’s been busy enough.”
ACTING STEWARDS
J. Rearden, R. Lanigan, E. Halley, M.F. O’Donoghue
HORSE TO FOLLOW
MR ANTOLINI (G. Power): He ran a good race on his racecourse bow when filling the runner-up spot behind Burgas in the two mile maiden hurdle and it would be no surprise to see him build on this in time.