A gloom continues to shroud the scene in Ireland, with action resuming at Punchestown on Thursday, following the funeral of Michael O’Sullivan the previous day.
With Cheltenham now just a fortnight, some further clues emerged over the last week, as Willie Mullins continued his dominant form, winning nine of the 30 races that were down for decision.
The Week That Was
Punchestown – Monday
Familiar Dreams brought a touch of class to this rescheduled fixture, which was cancelled on Friday due to waterlogging.
The winner of four bumpers last season and bought by current connections for €310,000, the Gordon Elliott-trained six-year-old made the breakthrough over flights in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden Hurdle.
Only doing just enough to hold off the long absent Toad Hall, she could now take her chance in the Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham.
Elliott later doubled his tally in the concluding bumper with newcomer Santo Sospir, while there were also doubles for Willie Mullins, Paul Townend, Philip Rothwell and Tiernan Power Roche.
Naas – Sunday
Declan Queally registered a double on this curtailed six race card, landing the Grade 3 Winning Fair Juvenile Hurdle with Bacchanalian.
Kept busy since the turn of the year, the likeable chestnut won’t be on the boat to Cheltenham, despite holding a Triumph Hurdle entry.
Later partnering I’ll Sort That to victory in the concluding bumper, Queally’s mount led from pillar to post in worsening conditions, with heavy rain forcing the cancellation of the final two races, both of which were due to be run on the chase course.
Elsewhere on the programme, Jacob’s Ladder claimed the Grade 3 Michael Purcell Memorial Novice Hurdle, while Will The Wise justified favouritism in the Pertemps Qualifier.
Both have a few options at Cheltenham, with the unexposed Will The Wise now prominent in the betting for the Pertemps Final.
Fairyhouse – Saturday
An infection was the reason for the defection of Grand National hero I Am Maximus in the feature Bobbyjo Chase.
Willie Mullins still managed to claim this Grade 3 contest, with Thyestes winner Nick Rockett ultimately getting the better of Irish Grand National victor Intense Raffles. There was just three-quarters of a length between the pair at the line, with a rematch at Aintree in April now firmly on the cards.
Doubling his tally, Mullins also claimed the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Colreevy Mares Novice Chase with Spindleberry (13/8 to 8/11f).
The market spoke volumes prior to this Listed heat, with Bioluminescence (10/11 out to 9/4) and the bay victor flip flopping in the market. Favoured by the conditions of this near two-mile six-furlong contest, the well-supported market leader eased to a six and a half-length win.
The pair could now renew rivalry in the Mares’ Chase at Cheltenham next month, although Mullins did state that the race ‘might just come a bit soon,” for his progressive seven-year-old.
Completing a treble for the master of Closutton, Kaiser Ball impressed in the concluding bumper.
Ridden by Thomas Costello, donning the silks of his mother Marie, this French bred five-year-old came from off the pace to lead early in the straight, readily stretching clear in the closing stages to register a seven and a half length win.
Clearly a very talented individual, he would undoubtedly be a live contender if lining-up in the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham next month.
Punchestown – Thursday
No less than four Cheltenham contenders emerged from this eight-race programme.
While he won’t be the choice of Paul Townend in the Brown Advisory at Prestbury Park, High Class Hero will go there with a live chance after beating stable companion Loughglynn in the QuinnBet Beginners Chase.
William Munny firmly put himself in the picture for the Supreme Novices’ with a dominant display in the fourth, while Jade De Grugy is Mares’ Hurdle bound after her win in the Grade 3 feature.One of five to face the starter for the BetVictor Quevega Mares Hurdle, the Kenny Alexander-owned six-year-old proved far superior to her rivals on what was her first start since her Grade 1 success last season.
Responsible for both High Class Hero and Jade De Grugy, Willie Mullins also claimed the concluding bumper with Gameofinches.
A faller on his sole point-to-point start, this Blue Bresil six-year-old quickly shot to the top of the market for the Champion Bumper after this facile success.
TOUCHING GESTURE FROM OWNERS OF SPINDLEBERRY
Kudos to owners Fearghal & Bronagh Eastwood for donating their share of the €18,000 prizemoney won by Spindleberry at Fairyhouse to the Irish Injured Jockeys Fund.
The late Michael O’Sullivan was aboard the progressive Policy Maker bay when she finished second in the Grade 1 Irish EBF Honeysuckle Mares Novice Hurdle last season.
INTRIGUING GAMBLES AT FAIRYHOUSE ON SATURDAY
The opening maiden hurdle at Fairyhouse on Saturday hit the headlines after Great Attitude landed a significant gamble.
The Tom Cleary-trained six-year-old debutant was available at 125/1 in early shows for this two-mile heat, eventually going off an 8/1 chance under talented conditional Tiernan Power Roche.
Pestering the market leader in second for much of the contest, he eased by that rival early in the straight and had five and a half lengths to spare at the line.
Interestingly, the German bred bay was previously trained by Cormac Farrell and owned by Douglas Taylor, with the former successfully pulling off a high profiled coup back in 2010. Adding further intrigue to the story, Farrell saddled Sticktotheplan in the concluding bumper, with this one also the subject of sustained market support.
Backed from 25s to a starting price of 11/10, the Great Pretender five-year-old ultimately failed to justify market confidence, finishing well behind the principals in fifth.
WHAT’S COMING UP
A low-key card is scheduled to take place at Clonmel on Thursday, before the Grade 2 Webster Cup Chase takes centre stage at Navan on Saturday.
The Flyingbolt Novice Chase is also down for decision at Proudstown Park, with Spillane’s Tower second to Blood Destiny in this Grade 3 contest 12-months ago.
The action moves to Leopardstown on Sunday and Monday, the final National Hunt fixtures of the season at the Foxrock venue.
The newly named Dublin National over the marathon trip of three and a half miles is one of seven races pencilled in for Sunday, with the Listed QuinnBet Handicap Chase the feature.
ONE TO WATCH
Road To Home (Willie Mullins): The winner of a bumper at Listowel when in the care of Eugene O’Sullivan, this Gamut six-year-old was still in with every chance when running out before the second last on his debut for current connections. While the stable second string at Naas on Sunday, he made eye-catching late progress to take third and appears to be crying out for a step-up in trip.
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