Irish racing once again had viewers hooked on both sides of British-Irish divide over the past week. Here is Donal Murphy’s recap of events, including a fast finisher to watch next time out…
THE WEEK THAT WAS
Lossiemouth shortened at the head of the betting for the Champion Hurdle, as she brushed aside Teahupoo in the Hatton’s Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse on Sunday. Despite a mistake four out, the Willie Mullins-trained grey eased to the front before the last and readily stretched clear on the run-in, readily justifying market confidence.
While out of luck with Stayers’ Hurdle hero Teahupoo, Gordon Elliott claimed the other Grade 1 at the weekend, the Drinmore Novice Chase.
Elliott saddled three of the five in this two-and-a-half-mile contest, with Henry de Bromhead responsible for the other two. In what was an extraordinary finish, less than a length separated the first four home, with 22/1 chance Croke Park just holding on to register a pillar to post success, under a well-judged Sam Ewing ride. Late surges from the de Bromhead pair, Heart Wood and Gorgeous Tom, ultimately came up short, with race favourite Firefox finishing third.
There was another shock in the Grade 3 juvenile hurdle, with 33/1 chance Naturally Nimble overturning 1/4 favourite Willy De Houelle. A French import, the Willie Mullins-trained latter had no apparent excuses in second, but should come on plenty for the run, his first since April.
Formerly a Grade 1 contest, Mullins saddled five of the eight for the Royal Bond Novice Hurdle, with his Tounsivator coming out on top. Fifth in handicap company when last seen at Listowel, the 12/1 chance was a surprise winner, beating Champion Bumper runner-up Romeo Coolio (1/2f) into second.
Elsewhere on this eight-race programme, Gavin Cromwell’s La Malmason easily accounted for her rivals in a mares’ handicap chase, while point-to-point winner Koktail Brut impressed in the bumper to complete a treble for Gordon Elliott.
Willie Mullins and Paul Townend combined for a treble of their own on Saturday’s Fairyhouse card.
This three-timer was highlighted by the success of Anzadam in the Grade 3 feature. Already a dual winner in his native land, the Authorized bay impressed in coming home six and a half-lengths clear of Kala Conti, a Grade 2 winner from last season.
A high-class hurdler, Impaire Et Passe made the perfect start to life over fences when taking the opening beginners chase. With two of his rivals crashing out at the last, he was flattered by the winning margin of 12 lengths, but nonetheless couldn’t have done much more, jumping well throughout.
Mullins and Townend were also on the mark with Ballygunner Castle, who claimed an incident-packed maiden hurdle. A loose horse hampered a number of participants in this 25-runner affair, with the winner almost carried out approaching the last. Successful in the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham and Punchestown in 2023, A Dream To Share proved very easy to back, but still finished an encouraging fifth after meeting with trouble in running.
Looking back to Tramore on Tuesday of last week and Willie Mullins unleashed yet another smart prospect in the shape of Karniquet.
With just four hurdles jumped due to the low-lying sun, this Gigginstown House Stud-owned chestnut eased to an 11-length success, following in the hoofprints of Gaelic Warrior, who won this very race in 2022.
Mullins also claimed the bumper with Sortudo and his son Patrick later stated that this point-to-point recruit ‘could be at the top end of our bumper horses.’
FURTHER WOE FOR CHAMPION KENNEDY
Jack Kennedy is facing another lengthy spell on the sidelines, following the fatal fall of his mount Twoohthree at Fairyhouse on Saturday.
Crowned champion jockey at Punchestown in May, the Co Kerry native has been plagued by injury throughout his career, but is clearly a hardy individual who will no doubt bounce back in due course.
NOTABLE SUCCESS FOR DERHAM
“Very rarely in horse racing a plan comes together but this one actually did,” Harry Derham enthused after the success of Washington in a valuable handicap hurdle at Fairyhouse on Sunday.
The young, up-and-coming trainer deserves plenty of kudos for travelling across to Ireland to take on and beat the likes of Mullins and Elliott.
With the aforementioned pair dominating the National Hunt scene here in recent seasons, competition from the UK can only be seen as a good thing.
THURLES CONTINUES TO CAUSE ISSUES
The inability to produce winter ground is continuing to cause problems at Thurles, with Thursday’s card at the Co Tipperary venue decimated by non-runners.
Clearly not happy with conditions, Willie Mullins withdrew nine of his 10 intended runners due to the going description of ‘good’. As a result, the feature Listed chase turned into a farce, with Fil Dor (1/40f) seeing off a much inferior rival, while the quality of other races also suffered.
While not as badly affected by absentees, Friday’s card was again of a poor standard.
Good ground is not what trainers are looking for or expecting at this time of the year and to reiterate a point from a few weeks ago, fixtures at Thurles should be redistributed until conditions change.
It was soft to heavy at Tramore on Tuesday last, with the ground no doubt similar at many other tracks throughout the country.
WHAT’S COMING UP
Clonmel plays host to an eight-race programme this afternoon, one of just three National Hunt fixtures scheduled this week.
Last seen finishing third and fourth in a Grade 1 over fences at the Punchestown Festival in April, Three Card Brag and Sandor Clegane clash in a conditions hurdle, which also features recent winners Drumgill, Franciscan Rock and Plains Indian.
With Grade 2 and Listed contests down for decision, Navan on Saturday is sure to be full of quality, while the Hilly Way Chase takes centre stage at Cork on Sunday.
ONE TO WATCH
Gorgeous Tom: Fourth of five in the Drinmore, this Henry de 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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