GENERALLY 80-95 rated handicap hurdles aren’t the province of odds-on favourites but Stilyker duly justified odds of 4/9 in the Comeragh Wildlife Park Handicap Hurdle over an extended two miles to kick off a treble for Willie Mullins.
Stilyker was returning from close to a year off on his debut for the yard but such an absence did nothing to deter punters who ensured the Graiglore Limited-owned gelding was sent off a very well-backed favourite.
At the line the always prominent Stilyker, who raced a shade keenly, had just a neck to spare over the oncoming He’s Leading Me On. However, Paul Townend’s mount looked set to win as he liked for much of the final half mile and he can be rated better than the bare result.
“I didn’t know a whole lot about him but I definitely wasn’t expecting him to be as keen as he was,” said Townend. “He’s done well to keep going after being so keen. He is a big horse for around here too so he will be a nice fun horse.”
Mullins and Townend also struck with Mi Lighthouse (7/2) in the mares’ beginners’ chase over just short of two miles.
The Four Mile House Partnership-owned eight-year-old was making a quick reappearance after finishing fifth to Sole Pretender at Ballinrobe on Tuesday and took advantage of this appreciably less demanding level of competition while also benefiting from patient tactics in a strongly run affair. The 7/2 shot headed the favourite Mighty Meggsie at the second last and then drew clear to hit the line with 14 lengths to spare.
“It looked like they just went too fast in front. They got tired and Paul just made the most of it,” observed Mullins. “I think her run in Ballinrobe earlier in the week just brought her on and that experience stood to her. I was aiming to go a longer trip with her but this opens a few other doors for the summer.”
The newcomer Quel Reve brought up the treble in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares INH Flat Race.
Jody Townend was on board this Great Pretender five-year-old who is related to a high-class Mullins mare in Let’s Dance. The filly showed plenty of promise in justifying 8/13 favouritism.
Princess Sophia attempted to slip the field approaching the last quarter of a mile but Quel Reve cut her down inside the distance and forged clear in the style of a smart sort to carry the day by seven lengths. The Closutton Racing Club-owned mare is likely to contest a winners’ bumper next.
ANOTHER well-supported winner came in the shape of Kingston Retreat who bolted up in the 80-109 rated handicap hurdle over two miles and five furlongs.
After a couple of respectable showings in handicaps at Clonmel and Wexford, this former Downpatrick maiden hurdle winner was backed from 13/2 into 4/1 on track. She arrived with a sweeping charge on the outer for Danny Mullins to take command approaching two out and despite diving somewhat at that flight, she quickly got back on an even keel to see off Garcon Doux by just under four lengths.
“We probably weren’t riding her handy enough and that was the improvement in her today,” commented Sean O’Brien who trains this winner for his neighbour Sean Shanahan. “We rode her wide because the ground was so well watered on the inside and all winners are coming from out wide.”
The 11-year-old Bitview Colin also struck under Danny Mullins in the handicap chase over just short of two and three-quarter miles.
John Ryan’s charge was notching up the sixth win of his 72 race career as he asserted before the final fence to win by five and a half lengths.
The well-backed 11/4 chance carries the colours of Imelda O’Riordan.
DECLAN Queally’s Churchtown Ruby (5/2) brought solid winter form into the opening maiden hurdle over an extended two miles and that translated into a straightforward success for this five-year-old. This Jimmy Gordon-owned daughter of Califet had a bit of work to do on her showing in a Clonmel bumper last month, but placed runs at Thurles and Limerick on her previous outings put her in with every chance and she won nicely.
She led after halfway for Jack Foley and despite not jumping the last three flights all that fluently, she retained control of the race to defeat Tudor Manor by a length and a quarter.
The long-standing alliance of Eoghan O’Grady and Phillip Enright teamed up for another winner as Maciver bagged the near two-and-three-quarter-mile maiden hurdle for horses who had never been placed. Owned by his breeder Ivor Dulohery, this five-year-old had struggled on his first three starts.
He was fitted with a tongue-tie and cheekpieces for the first time here though and turned in a much better effort. The 88-rated 12/1 shot had little difficulty taking charge before the final flight and he finished with three and a half lengths to spare.
“We had the dam Maryiver and she won twice here and Phillip won a beginners’ chase on her here. His half-sister is in at the Derby Sale, so Ivor will be delighted,” remarked O’Grady.
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