KLAIRON DAVIS copper-fastened his claim on the title of best two-mile chaser in training with a decisive victory in yesterday's BMW Handicap Chase on the opening day of the Punchestown Festival. The doubters that made Sound Man, who had an attractive 4lbs concession, joint favourite got a crushing answer with Klairon Davis romping home 10 lengths clear with jockey Frank Woods standing up in the irons.
For the last two seasons Sound Man and Klairon Davis have traded the sort of blows that only the multi-talented possess but on the days it had really counted, Klairon Davis has generally come out on top. Last season's Arkle Trophy and this year's champion chase seemed to prove the point but Sound Man's second to Viking Flagship at Liverpool with Klairon Davis only fourth gave Sound Man's supporters some of hope.
Early on in the race it looked good for Edward O'Grady's gelding with Richard Dunwoody conjuring leaps that testified to his partner's well being. Nakir and Opera Hat's efforts to worry him down the back straight did not work but a slight look further back showed Sound Man was turning into a perfect target for Klairon Davis's inexorable progress. At the third last Dunwoody began to niggle as Woods made his move.
With the pressure at its height Sound Man made a horrendous mistake and while Klairon Davis was not too clever himself at the next, he had more than enough in the tank to gallop easily away from Sound Man who courageously held off Opera Hat for second.
"The jump three out decided it," Woods declared simply. but Dunwoody knew the writing was on the wall before that.
"Klairon Davis was going better than me going into the third last. he got me off the bridle and my fellow got in too close to the fence. Sound Man felt really good today and jumped very well up until then but Klairon Davis was just travelling too well," Dunwoody said, with a certain resignation.
"Over two and a half miles and on really good ground I'd like to take the winner on again but I was really impressed by Klairon Davis today," Dunwoody added.
Arthur Moore was even more impressed by his charge. He said: "He is an outstanding horse, the best I have trained. The travelling to Liverpool after coming back from Cheltenham took it out of him but he was really blooming today. It's 10 hours to Liverpool but only 10 minutes here. The champion chase will be his target again next season."
Jumping also decided the Country Pride Champion Novice Hurdle, won by the Ladbroke Hurdle heroin, Dance Beat. John Shortt had the Jessica Harrington-trained mare in front from a long way out and looked to be holding the English-trained pair Ashwell Boy and Kimanicky on the turn-in.
However, Tommy Treacy guided Bolino Star up Dance Beat's inside on the run to the last and marginally led. A Lincoln winner on the flat, Bolino Star probably would have had the speed to go on and win had she jumped the last but she didn't. Ashwell Boy also crashed at the obstacle to leave Dance Beat seven lengths clear of Kimanicky at the line.
"She got in a bit close and slipped. She would have won," a dejected Treacy said and while Shortt believed Dance Beat would have battled back, he grinned: "I wasn't too sad to see the other two tumble over! She deserved it though, she has been brilliant all season."
The winning trainer said: "There are ifs and huts about every race but she was in the lead a long time and would have battled. We'll try and find a flat race for her now and then turn her out for the summer.
Shanagarry and Minella Lad produced a driving finish to the Bradstock Insurance Novice Chase with Conor O'Dwyer forcing Shanagarry's head into the lead to win close home by a length.
Shanagarry is trained by Co Wexford farmer Patrick Heffernan who trains his five horse string on Rosslare beach. Heffernan said: "This is my biggest success. Shanagarry is in here, again on Thursday but we may give him a break now.
The race had a sting in the tail for Charlie Swan. On his first day, back after a whip ban, the champion jockey was awarded another four days by the stewards for using his whip excessively on Minella Lad.
There will be better memories from yesterday for two amateur jockeys who rode their first race course winners. Tom Farrell from Newbridge guided Fays Folly to a comfortable success in the Kildare Chilling Hunters Chase, while 19-year-old Alan Fleming from Blessington took advantage of the last fence fall of the favourite, Tearaway King, to win the Brown Thomas Chase on No Mistake VI over the famous Punchestown Banks.
Arthur Moore added to his earlier success when Paul Carberry showed all his strength to get Professor Strong home ahead of Fambo Lad after a dour battle for the Berkeley Court Handicap Chase, while Royal Albert took the Balcas Handicap Hurdle for the Wicklow Hills racing syndicate from Grangecon.
Jockey Paul Cashman picked up a three-day suspension for using his whip excessively on the winner of the concluding race, Dan's Your Man. A total of £688,479 was bet with the bookmakers yesterday compared to the corresponding figure of £596,423 last year. However, eight races were run yesterday, one more than the corresponding meeting.
Yesterday's attendance of 11,500 was almost 1,000 up on last year.
