NEWS ROUND-UP: TORPHICHEN CONFIRMED the promise of his first run over fences by going one better in the Chris Hopper McGrath 80th Birthday Beginners Chase at Clonmel yesterday to continue trainer Edward O'Grady's fine run.
Successful with Tranquil Sea in the Durkan Memorial Chase at Fairyhouse on Wednesday, O’Grady has Leopardstown at Christmas in mind for the Andrew McNamara-ridden five-year-old.
Runner-up to the Willie Mullins-trained Quel Esprit at Limerick, Torphichen showed he had benefited from the experience. Leading two out, the 8 to 11 favourite sealed victory with a superb jump at the last to beat Mullins’ representative Cadspeed by three-and-a-half lengths.
“If he comes out of this okay he’ll go for the big two-miler (the Bord na Mona Novice Chase) at Leopardstown,” O’Grady said. “I was disappointed that he got beaten at Limerick, but I’d say that’ll turn out to be as good a beginners chase as you’ll see all season.
“I decided to put the cheek-pieces on him today because when he hit the front two out at Limerick he started to look around him. I hope he’ll be an Arkle (Chase) horse.”
The well-backed 5 to 4 favourite Quito De La Roque outstayed Time Electric to win the Kilsheelan Beginners Chase for trainer Colm Murphy and jockey Davy Russell. “He is in a couple of novices over Christmas and we’ll have to see as that may come a bit too soon,” said Murphy.
“He has plenty of options anyway and the further they go and the softer the ground the better for him.”
Lonesome Dove (8 to 1) kept on well from before the last to see off Evesham Star by three lengths in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Maiden Hurdle.
“She was a good jumper but she got a fright at Listowel and it has taken her a while to get it together again,” said winning trainer Charlie Swan.
Tracey Collins’ Kristal Komet (5 to 1) took the Powerstown three-year-old Maiden Hurdle after her nearest challenger Wealdmore Wave came down at the second last, while Patrick Mangan produced Yeoman (9 to 1) with a well-timed challenge in the closing stages to land the Martinstown Opportunity Handicap Hurdle.
- Gordon Elliott is looking forward to the future with his two winners from Fairyhouse’s bumper day of racing on Wednesday. The Co Meath handler was on the mark with Toner D’Oudairies in the Grade Three juvenile hurdle and Jessies Dream in the Grade One Drinmore Novice Chase, a first win at the highest level for the handler.
Both have options over Christmas, with a possible trip to Kempton on the cards for Jessies Dream, owner David Johnson’s first horse with Elliott.
“The two of them came out of their races fine so it’s all systems go for next time,” said Elliott.
“Toner D’Oudairies is a fine, big sort and he’ll be even better when he goes chasing, but he’s all right for the time being as well.
“He already looks pretty smart and we’re really looking forward to sending him over fences.
“We’re looking at Christmas and Leopardstown for him.
“For Jessies Dream, we’re considering the Feltham. We’ll have to see how he is over the next week or so and talk to the owner and then we’ll make a decision.
“We might be favouring the Feltham for the better ground, though.”
- Adrian Maguire will prepare Let Yourself Go for a crack at the Lexus Chase after his fine run in the Hilly Way Chase at Fairyhouse on Wednesday.
The eight-year-old had just been headed when he unseated Shane Hassett at the final fence, but his trainer is in a philosophical mood.
Maguire was famously well clear in the 1994 King George VI Chase on Barton Bank before the pair parted company with victory seemingly in the bag.
“Let Yourself Go is bouncing today and the plan is to run next in the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas,” said Maguire. “His exit was unfortunate – Shane was doing the right thing, wanting him to pop the fence, but the horse was still racing down to it.
“Things could be a lot worse – you could have been 15 lengths clear in the King George when it happened!”
- Downpatrick will inspect this morning at 7.30 to see if today’s meeting can go ahead.
