COLLIER BAY, one of the most improved hurdlers in training this season, added yesterday's Smurfit Champion Hurdle to his Leopardstown AIG Champion Hurdle success with a comprehensive victory over last year's winner, Alderbrook, and the fast-finishing outsider Pridwell. Danoli, who finished fourth, disappointed his legion of supporters.
However, contrary to the forecast, the rain arrived early from the west on Monday evening. Mixed with sleet and snow, it did not let up until yesterday morning and, to the consternation of several trainers including Tom Foley, left what was perfect jumping ground quite dead. "I didn't want rain for Danoli but when it came I could only give it a shot."
Our other runner, Hotel Minella, who drifted in the betting, was never travelling on ground he clearly hated. Coming from last place he eventually finished ninth. He and Danoli were breathing down the neck of Collier Bay at the close of the AIG Champion Hurdle and, while the going was soft on that occasion, it was loose, unlike yesterday's tacky surface.
Danoli will now be prepared for the Martell Hurdle over two miles and five furlongs at Liverpool, a race he has won for the past two years. Hotel Minella will run at Punchestown.
Winning Wiltshire trainer Jim Old has never before won a Festival race. He was not quite right when he went to Ireland - he didn't travel well," he said. "But I knew I'd have him 100 per cent for today. I was hoping for rain and would not have run Collier Bay on firm ground."
Winning rider Graham Bradley, who picked up the mount when Jamie Osborne opted for Mysilv, said: "Collier Bay felt great - he travelled and jumped well - it is unbelievable. Jim Old promised me that the horse would be 10lb better than he was in Ireland. When I went past Jamie going to the second last there were a few expletives from Jamie, who realised he had chosen the wrong one. I popped the last and went strongly up the hill."
Alderbrook lost his near-fore shoe during the race. It appeared that he was given too much to do - in the ground - but there was no catching the two-and-a-half lengths winner.
The Martin Pipe-trained Mack The Knife broke down before the last and was put down on account of his injuries. Tragically, stable-companion Draborgie was also put down after breaking down badly in the Arkle Chase.
Ventana Canyon fairly annihilated his rivals in the Guinness Arkle Trophy, but trainer Edward O'Grady, celebrating his 14th Festival success and most important to date, was the first to admit that "the cards fell his way" in that Manhattan Castle whipped sideways at the start and threw his rider; the favourite Draborgie broke down just after jumping the second fence and there were quite a few fallers including Double Symphony.
Nevertheless, Ventana Canyon came right when it really mattered or, as his handler said, "the cream came to the top".
Richard Dunwoody had the seven-year-old nicely placed as Cable Beach predictably set a strong gallop. Ventana Canyon led on the outside over the third last and, clear to the final fence. stretched further and further away from Arctic Kinsman to win by 20 lengths.
