Hennessy Weekend Round-Up

JONCOL COMES OF AGE!

Joncol, Paul Nolan`s stable star, did what he has been threatening to do for a while and scooped a big prize when getting the better of Cooldine in a ding-dong battle to the line in Sunday`s Hennessy Gold Cup at Leopardstown.Adopting different tactics to his Lexus Chase run, Joncol (9/4F) was settled behind the pace-setting Cooldine and when Aiden Cawley pressed the button he produced a super leap at the last and the giant sized 7 year old stuck his neck out gamely in the shadows of the post to edge past the brave Cooldine  who returned to form in no uncertain terms despite his trainers pre-race reservations. Both the winner and the runner-up were heavily supported in the market. The disappointment of the race was the Nicky Richards trained Money Trix who never got in to the race under Davy Russell. On this evidence the winner has plenty of top class prizes on his horizon and Cooldine will surely acquit himself well in the Blue Riband come March.

On a star-studded Grade One feast of racing at the packed Foxrock venue some of the other highlights included -:

FEB 7th

LEOPARDSTOWN

• The first of the days 4 Grade Ones was the opening Spring Juvenile Hurdle and it went the way of the Charles Byrnes trained and Davy Russell ridden Pittoni(4/6F) who put up a polished performance in defeating Cross Appeal by Two and a half lengths. This smart ex-flat racer must have a big shout in the Triumph Hurdle provided the going is not on the fast side.

• Without a shadow of a doubt the one horse that the majority of punters who flocked to Leopardstown on Sunday wanted to see in action most of all was the mighty Dunguib (3/10F) and he did not let his legion of admirers down as he easily landed the odds in the Deloitte Novice Hurdle (Grade One). Despite some sloppy jumps at times the Barry O` Connell ridden superstar simply toyed with the opposition and strolled to victory over Fionnegas who is no back number himself. Philip Fentons machine is now odds-on for the Supreme Novices at the Festival and will be the banker in many Ante- Post doubles and trebles. Hopefully he will jump a bit slicker next time and raise the roof in Prestbury Park

• The remaining Grade One on the card was the Dr PJ Moriarty Novice Chase which saw a high class field go to post. There was a massive plunge on Willie Mullins` Cousin Vinny but he disappointed once again behind his stable- mate Citizen Vic (12/1) who caused a bit of an upset when staying on gamely under Paul Townend to defeat the well touted pair of Weapons Amnesty and Roberto Goldback.Doubtless this race will throw up many winners in the months ahead.

• There was a major upset in the Hunters Chase on the card when the hot-pot Agus A Vic (4/6F) put up a very tame display when finishing a poor third behind Kilty Storm (8/1) who was ridden by Mr. P.L Queally for trainer R.J McGrath. It is unlikely that this race will have much bearing on the Christies Foxhunters Chase.

It was an informative week elsewhere in the Emerald Isle and for Irish horses across the pond and some other highlights included -

The star attraction at Naas on Saturday was Arkle favourite Captain Cee Bee and he put in a very competent display when running out a facile winner of the Opera Hat Novice Chase despite another final flight scare. Jockey, MP Walsh had little difficulty in guiding Eddie Harty`s charge to a 13 Length victory over Fosters Cross and cement his position at the head of the Arkle betting market though whether his current price represents value is debatable.

At Clonmel on Thursday Whinstone Boy followed up his Thyestes victory when winning the Kilcash Chase for Sean Flanagan and JJ Mangan at odds of 3/1.

Carlito Brigante justified his trainer Gordon Elliott’s decision to head to Musselburgh on Sunday for the Scottish Triumph Hurdle when running out a facile 6 Length winner under Jason Maguire. It was a performance that saw his Triumph Hurdle odds take a tumble and he looks the main Irish hope and given a sound surface he goes to the Festival with a big shout.

At Doncaster on Saturday the Jessica Harrington trained Zarinava ran out a gutsy winner of the Mares Grade Two Hurdle for Paul Moloney.

Trainers in form;

C.Byrnes, Colm Murphy, Mrs J.Harrington, Paul Nolan, P.Fenton.

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Happy Punting

JOE Q