GIGGINSTOWN’S Roi Du Mee relishes soft ground and conditions were very much in his favour at Tramore where he rolled back the years to repeat his 2013 success in the Listed At The Races Chase for in-form trainer Gordon Elliott.
With Bryan Cooper having injured his wrist, Kevin Sexton was the successful deputy and he made every post a winning one to land the spoils by eight lengths from last year’s winner Marito, despite an awkward jump at the final obstacle.
The winning trainer was represented by his brother Joey who said: “He loves being in front and got his own way today on ground he enjoys. He’s limited now in graded races but he’s paying his way.” It was a case of doubles all round from there on in with Bandon trainer James Dullea enhancing his already fine strike rate at the seaside venue with handicap wins for Just Get Cracking and West Of The Edge. They gave him his first double as a trainer.
Just Get Cracking, with Paul Townend in the saddle, set the ball rolling by taking the 2015 Waterford & Tramore Racecourse Supporters Club 80-109 Handicap Hurdle. The 6/1 chance had two and a half lengths to spare over Rebel Cry at the finish and is jointly owned by Sean O’Connor and Catriona O’Donovan from West Cork.
LUCKY PLACE
This marked their first win together although they are both involved in other horses in the yard. “It was his run in a handicap and I think he did it well enough,” said Dullea. “We always thought he’d go on heavy ground but Paul said he wasn’t enjoying it so we’ll aim for better ground and up him in trip. This place has been lucky for us.”
Tramore became even luckier for the Cork handler following West Of The Edge’s success in the two-mile and five furlong Ani-Pets Veterinary Clinic 80-102 Handicap Hurdle. Ridden by amateur Declan Queally, who followed up with success aboard Davinia’s Tip just over an hour later, the 2/1 favourite put in a slow jump at the last but was soon back on an even keel and was driven out to score by two and a quarter lengths from Change The Rules.
West Of The Edge carries the colours of the Good At It Too Partnership made up of “great owners” from Cork and Tipperary. Dullea remarked: “We knew the ground would suit him and the trip was no problem. I think he’ll go chasing from now on. it would be great if there was a chase back here but I don’t think there’s another one until April.”
Adrian Maguire supplied Queally with his second success of the day via another course specialist Davinia’s Tip (11/4) in the Knockenduff Stud Martin McGrath Memorial Beginners Chase. Tony Tipper’s Presenting mare jumped out to her left on occasions but led from start to finish to justify a certain level of market activity by 18 lengths from Hop In.
Her trainer stated: “She had the mares’ allowance and Dec’s 5lb claim and jumped and handled the ground and the track. She’s a winner around here already and been second in similar ground and that’s why we came back here. Today was her day.” Market leader Wither Hills was a first fence casualty.
FLYING START
Jockey Ruby Walsh, together with his boss Willie Mullins, got his new year off to the best possible start with a 15-length winner through the Supreme Horse Racing Club’s 4/9 favourite Avant Tout in the David Flynn Building Contractors Maiden Hurdle confined to five-year-olds.
The French-bred had just taken it up before the last when he was left clear to collect by the tired fall of the long-time pace-setter Utmost Zeal at that flight. A mud-spattered Walsh commented: “I’d say he stays really well because he was off it (the bridle) at the top of the hill but kept going all the way.”
The championship duo doubled up courtesy of another odds-on favourite Sambremont in the Padraig Curran - South East Cleaners Maiden Hurdle. Walsh had to give the Shanakiel Racing Syndicate’s 8/15 market leader a bit of encouragement but he responded to pressure from before the final flight to get the better of Perfect Woman early on the run-in by one and three quarters of a length.
Mullins commented: “I was disappointed with his run the first day and am delighted he pulled out victory here. He’s more a chaser than a hurdler and is a full-brother to Djakadam but he’ll stay novice hurdling this season.
“I think he’ll be better on better ground towards the springtime and he’ll go up in trip. Like our first winner he’s a fantastic jumper and a stayer.”
Tyrone House made the four and a half hour journey from Co Armagh worthwhile when making virtually all in the Tom Carroll Memorial Handicap Chase, a race in which there were only two finishers. Treacy’s Star was the main fancy here but his rider reported that he did not handle the heavy ground and was pulled up in the closing stages when out of contention.
The 11-year-old winner was headed by Distracted on the approach to the final obstacle but fought back bravely to gain the upper hand for a half length win at odds of 20/1. Keith Watson is both the successful owner and trainer of this four-time winner who was crediting his 22 year-old son Marshall with his first racecourse success.
The rider paid tribute to Tyrone House with the comment: “He’s been a good servant to us and won a three-mile and one furlong race in England so we know he stays all day. I’d just like to thank my parents for their support.”
Acting Stewards
P. Coveney, Mrs C. Corballis, V. Connolly, J. McEnery, S. Quinn
HORSE TO FOLLOW
UTMOST ZEAL (G. Elliott): He has failed to live up to expectations so far but can be deemed unlucky not to have been placed after taking a final flight fall in the two-mile maiden hurdle. He was tiring in the heavy ground after attempting to make all and deserves another chance.
Injuries
IAN McCarthy broke his collarbone in a schooling fall on Thursday morning while Bryan Cooper missed out at Tramore after sustaining a wrist injury. He is expected back at the weekend.