Though postponements have frustrated jumps fans, the racing in Ireland over the weekend may have had connotations which last through the rest of the season. Irish racing expert Donal Murphy guides you through recent events and highlights an extraordinary achievement you may not have been aware of…
THE WEEK THAT WAS
Gavin Cromwell had an afternoon to remember at Fairyhouse on Saturday, completing a near 255/1 four-timer.
The Danestown handler saddled the first three home in the feature SBK Dan & Joan Moore Memorial Handicap Chase, with his The King Of Prs coming out on top in this Grade 3 contest.
Promising conditional Conor Stone-Walsh guided the 11/2 chance to victory, with his stable companions Path d’Oroux and Midnight It Is in second and third respectively.
A smart performer on the level and third in the Cesarewitch at the Curragh in September, Sixandahalf had earlier provided Cromwell with his initial success. Starting off over flights, this Snow Sky five-year-old eased to an impressive 12-length win, with the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham now firmly on her agenda.
Cromwell also struck with Noble Birth and De Temps En Temps, with the latter taking the concluding bumper under Declan Lavery.
Elsewhere on this seven-race programme, Willie Mullins registered a brace, saddling the first four home in the beginners chase.
Fifth in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham last year, Mistergif claimed this 12-runner contest, staying on strongly under JJ Slevin to beat Tullyhill by a length and three-quarters.
Mullins had earlier claimed the three-mile handicap hurdle with stable debutant King Alexander.
Previously trained in the UK and a three-time winner when in the care of Nicky Henderson, this Mount Nelson seven-year-old ultimately came home two-and-a-half lengths to the good and is an interesting prospect going forward.
At Punchestown on Sunday, Mullins again had a fruitful afternoon, combining with Paul Townend for a short-priced treble.
The pair claimed both graded races down for decision, striking first with Lecky Watson in the Sky Bet For The Fans Novice Chase.
After lowering the colours of Slade Steel on his debut over fences, the seven-year-old chestnut followed-up in this Grade 3 heat, beating Down Memory Lane by eight-lengths. The runner-up appeared to be fighting a losing battle when making a bad mistake at the last, with outsider Ifiwerearichman falling there when still in with a squeak.
Fourth in the Champion Bumper of 2023 and fifth in the Albert Bartlett last year, it’ll be interesting to see how Lecky Watson fares come March, with the Dublin Racing Festival likely to be his next port of call.
While it wasn’t straightforward, Salvator Mundi justified odds-on favouritism in the Grade 2 Sky Bet Club Moscow Flyer Novice Hurdle.
Keen and not jumping with much fluency, the Joe Donnelly-owned five-year-old did pick up well to lead before the last, going on to beat stable companion Kel Histoire by three-lengths. Sixth in last year’s Triumph Hurdle and the current Supreme Novices’ favourite, a more professional performance will be required if he is to come out on top at Prestbury Park.
Mullins and Townend went on to complete their treble with Kappa Jy Pyke, while the prolific Londonofficecallin provided Gavin Cromwell with further success by taking the concluding Albert Bartlett Qualifier Handicap Hurdle.
Cromwell registered his sixth success in the space of three days when Will The Wise scored at Punchestown on Monday, while Willie Mullins matched that through the win of Magic McColgan.
Despite veering badly left at the last and almost coming to a halt, the latter remarkably still managed to prevail by two and a half lengths.
WINGED LEADER EXTENDS WINNING STREAK
It was great to be present at Tinahely point-to-point on Saturday afternoon to see Winged Leader extend his winning run to 15. Beaten by just a neck at the Cheltenham Festival in 2022, the admirable David Christie-trained 11-year-old has been prolific ‘between the flags’.
Beginning his incredible streak at Farmacaffley in February of last year, he really snatched victory from the jaws of defeat at the weekend. Pushed along behind the smooth travelling Between Waters on the approach to two out, he gradually chipped away at the deficit.
Getting to the front when his aforementioned rival blundered at the last, he kept on strongly from there to win by three lengths.
Again entered to run next weekend, he’ll be widely expected to continue his remarkable run.
STONE-WALSH MAKING A MARK
After making a real impact on the level when under the tutelage of Joseph O’Brien, Conor Stone-Walsh is really starting to demonstrate his undoubted talent in recent weeks.
The Co. Wexford youngster was successful on his first ride over flights at Cork in November of 2023 and has been steadily raising his profile ever since.
Essentially Gavin Cromwell’s second jockey, his last six wins have come aboard horses trained by the Danestown handler.
Landing a valuable Listed handicap hurdle at Leopardstown over Christmas, he again showcased his riding prowess when guiding The King Of Prs to victory in the feature at Fairyhouse on Saturday.
Likely to be given further big race opportunities in the coming months and still claiming a valuable 5lb, he is a name to keep on side.
WHAT’S COMING UP
Rescheduled meetings take place at Clonmel and Cork on Wednesday and Friday respectively, while Fairyhouse is sandwiched between on Thursday afternoon.
Given a favourable mention in a November stable tour, the Willie Mullins-trained Funiculi Funicula is an interesting runner at Clonmel, while the champion trainer saddles two of the six for the feature Munster Hurdle, with Paul Townend opting to partner Bunting over Got Glory.
At the weekend Navan and Thurles take centre stage, with a pair of Grade 2s down for decision at the Co. Tipperary venue on Sunday.
ONE TO WATCH
Come On The Lads (Gavin Cromwell): A three-time winner on the level, this Elzaam five-year-old has shown promise on his last two efforts over flights. Ninth of 23 at Leopardstown on St Stephen’s Day, he improved on that showing to finish fourth in another big field maiden hurdle at Punchestown on Sunday. Now likely to go down the handicap route, he looks well capable of adding to his tally of wins.
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