Another action-packed week of racing in Ireland saw some potential Cheltenham Festival contenders emerge and our resident Irish correspondent Donal Murphy is here with his take on all the racing in the Emerald Isle.
THE WEEK THAT WAS
All eyes were on dual Champion Chase winner Energumene, as he returned from a lengthy injury enforced absence at Cork on Sunday.
In against some quality rivals in the Grade 2 Hilly Way Chase, the 10-year-old made virtually all under Paul Townend, as he claimed this prize for a third time.
Making a mistake three out, his task was simplified when nearest rival Banbridge, who still looked to have every chance at the time, unseated Richie Deegan at the last.
The Willie Mullins-trained victor did jump right and impede Banbridge at that obstacle, with the stewards later satisfied that no riding offence had occurred.
There was a sad postscript to this feature contest, with 2020 Champion Bumper winner Ferny Hollow fatally injured after falling two out.
Only By Night claimed the other Grade 2 on this seven-race programme, as she easily accounted for her rivals in the mares’ novice chase. Clearly going from strength to strength since switching to fences, this Gavin Cromwell-trained six-year-old looks a serious contender for even bigger prizes in the months to come.
Large fields were pretty much the order of the day at Navan on Saturday, with Mark Fahey’s Flicker Of Hope claiming the most valuable prize on offer, a Listed handicap hurdle over three miles and a furlong. In what was a thrilling finish, two short heads separated the first three home, with the progressive son of Buck’s Boum just getting the better of Backmersackme and Oscars Brother. At five, five and six respectively, the first three home are all open to further progress and with this race won by Flooring Porter in 2020, who knows where they could end up.
Sent off at the prohibitive odds of 1/3, The Yellow Clay snatched victory from the jaws of defeat in the Grade 2 novice hurdle. While he comprehensively beat Fleur In The Park over the course and distance last month, that rival almost reversed the form after attempting to make all. The Gordon Elliott-trained victor ultimately stayed on best in the closing stages to prevail by a neck at the line, with the runner-up losing little in defeat.
Earlier on the programme, Champion Bumper winner Jasmin De Vaux overcame some sketchy jumps to win on his debut over flights. Returned at 1/3, he quickened up smartly away from the last and should come on plenty for the experience.
Winning point-to-pointers claimed the first two races down for decision, with Magic Boum and Goraibhmaithagat both coming out on top despite proving easy-to-back.
Elsewhere on the card, Ile Atlantique impressed on his debut over fences, making all and jumping well throughout. Third to stable companion Ballyburn in the Gallagher Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham in March, the Tony Bloom-owned six-year-old could go right to the top over fences on this evidence.
Fifth in the Coral Cup, Franciscan Rock landed the feature at Clonmel on Tuesday last, beating Sandor Clegane into second.
Willie and Patrick Mullins, along with owners Simon Munir and Isaac Souede, took both divides of the qualified riders maiden hurdle.
They struck first with hurdling debutant C’est Ta Chase, before Karafon, who was fifth in a Grade 2 when last seen, completed the brace half an hour later.
NOTABLE SUCCESS FOR THREE HORSE TRAINER
With the big prizes here so often claimed by just the same few, it was great to see Desmond Kenneally land a Grade 3 novice hurdle at Cork on Sunday.
One of just three horses in his care, Pray Tell outstayed Gordon Elliott’s 5/4 favourite Minella Sixo away from the last, and ultimately came home two and a half lengths to the good under John Shinnick.
Now set for a break, it’ll be interesting to see how far this son of Ask can progress, with three miles appearing to be his optimum trip, despite the fact he has won over shorter.
TEN TO FOLLOW UPDATE
It was good to see one of my selections make the breakthrough at Navan; with He Can’t Dance justifying prohibitive odds on his debut for Gordon Elliott and Gigginstown House Stud.
While he looked to have a straightforward task in the concluding bumper, he was kept honest by Coyote Spirit and will improve for the run.
Two more picks were also in action at Proudstown Park, with Echoing Silence disappointing on her debut over flights.
Carrying the Honeysuckle silks of Kenny Alexander, the £410,000 purchase proved easy-to-back late on and in against mostly geldings, she trailed home in fifth.
As already mentioned above, Fleur In The Park, another of my selections in action, was narrowly denied in Grade 2 company.
WHAT’S COMING UP
A three-time winner at the highest level over flights, Dancing City starts off over regulation fences at Punchestown this afternoon.
Third in the Albert Bartlett at Cheltenham in March, the Willie Mullins-trained seven-year-old, who won a point-to-point on debut back in December of 2021, should prove hard to beat
Well-represented throughout the programme, Mullins also looks to have strong claims with Joystick, Hey Sunshine and Port Joulain.
The champion trainer saddles both Got Glory and French import Kitzbuhel in the conditions hurdle, with Colonel Mustard and Beckett Rock other leading hopes in this 10-runner heat.
The opening rated novice chase is another quality affair, with Henry de Bromhead saddling the hat-trick seeking Jasko Des Dames, French import Zurich and dual winner Nas Na Riogh.
Elsewhere this week, National Hunt action takes place at Cork on Friday, a replacement fixture for the one lost on November 24th, with Fairyhouse and Navan taking centre stage at the weekend.
ONE TO WATCH
Mercury Mission: In first time cheekpieces, this Philip Rothwell-trained five-year-old really finished with a flourish in a big field handicap hurdle at Cork on Sunday. Settled towards rear by promising conditional Tiernan Power Roche, he made eye-catching progress in the straight, eventually finishing a never nearer third. Now on a revised mark of 102, he looks a winner in waiting. Bromhead-trained six-year-old finished fastest of all and was in front shortly after the line. While a smart hurdler, he looks destined for even greater things over fences and on this evidence, a step up in trip will surely aid this promising bay.
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