CHRISTY ROCHE brought his tally of winners to four at a well-attended Thurles yesterday when steering the Aidan O'Brien-trained Theatreworld to a facile success in the Murphys Stout Race.
After tracking stable companion, Penndara from the outset Roche sent the Sadlers Wells colt to the front before the turn into the straight and steadily drew clear to leave his rivals struggling. The partnership eventually scored by three and a half lengths after being eased down close home.
Afterwards O'Brien said: "He likes good ground and did it well today. He will now go to Punchestown for the Murphys Irish Stout champion four-year-old hurdle."
The Thurles Traders Maiden resulted in a titanic battle from the furlong pole between Analisa and Cento, with the former just shading the spoils by thy minimum margin for Jim Bolger and Kevin Manning.
Pat Shanahan, rider of the Dermot Weld-trained runner-up incurred the wrath of the stewards for using his whip with excessive force and frequency and was handed a two-day suspension - April 16th and 17th.
Former John Oxx inmate, Khayrawani, opened his account over timber when recording a snug success under Co nor O'Dwyer in the first division of the Littleton Maiden Hurdle.
Despite drilling in the betting from 5-4 to 7-2, the Paddy Burke-trained Caerleon gelding appreciated the better underfoot conditions (good to yielding) when holding off the gambled on Saving Bond by one and a half lengths.
Another gamble went astray in the second division on Wesperada, who was unable to quicken under Richard Dunwoody and finished third to the Paddy Prendergast-trained Corrib Legend who jumped fluently throughout for John Shortt to score by two lengths.
In the penultimate Horse and Jockey Inn Handicap Chase, Clonmel hotelier, John Nallen, who has been associated with champion trainer O'Brien for several years as a leading owner, saddled his first success since acquiring a permit to train in January when Minella Express held off the challenge of Rossmanaher by a length.
At Tipperary on Saturday Oxx got off the mark for the season when Harghar landed the Junction race under John Murtagh.
Under a strong ride from the champion jockey, the Aga Khan-owned grey got up on the line to deny the Bolger-trained Identify with O'Brien's highly regarded Lone Eagle only finishing seventh.
Oxx said of his well-backed 7-4 winning favourite: "He has done well to win today as I thought seven furlongs on this track would be too sharp for him. We will now step him up in distance for the ten furlongs Ballysax race at the Curragh and hopefully there is more improvement to come."
