Review – January 17th/18th
THE FAMINE IS OVER!
After what seemed like an eternity, racing resumed in Ireland on Sunday last, after the cold snap, with Fairyhouse and Thurles hosting interesting cards. Thurles also raced on Monday. Odds on punters got their fingers well and truly burned with no less than SIX odds-on shots getting turned over during the course of these three Meetings.
JAN 17th
FAIRYHOUSE
- It was very much a case of déjà vu as Jockey, Ruby Walsh and Trainer, Willie Mullins each notched up a treble on the day.
They teamed up for victories with Arvika Legeonniere (Evens Fav) in the Maiden Hurdle and Scotsirish (7/4) in the featured Norman Grove Chase. The latter defied an alarming late drift in the Market to land the spoils from stablemate Snowy Morning without too much difficulty in the end. Rare Bob, the well backed second favourite put in a most disappointing effort and ran as if something was amiss. Ruby went on to complete his treble when guiding the gambled-on Tony Martin trained Saddlers Storm (4/5 Fav) to victory in the Handicap Chase. The Mullins treble came courtesy of Up Ou That (6/4) in the concluding Bumper in what was visually the most impressive performance of the day. This son of Alderbrook , who was following up a Point To Point victory, certainly looks to have a bright future and went in to many notebooks after romping to a 16 Length win from the well-touted Romanesco.
- The Mullins / Walsh combination did however endure a costly reverse when Cousin Vinny, sent off at 4/7, put in a very mediocre round of jumping when finishing only third behind An Cathaoir Mor in the Beginners Chase. On this evidence Vinny will not be making the trip to Cheltenham for any of the big Novice events come March.
THURLES
- On a day of reversals for Favourites only one obliged in the shape of Kylebeg Krystle who followed up his recent good run behind Dolly Hall in Cork by romping to a facile five and a half length success for DG Hogan in the Handicap Hurdle. Available at 4/1 in the morning he was well supported in to 2/1 and looks ripe to follow up before being re-assessed by The Handicapper Noel O` Brien.
- The Bookmakers fun day out climaxed when the Willie Mullins trained hotpot Rhyll Accord (4/7) got overturned when finishing a poor third behind 16/1 outsider Elysian Rock, trained by Mouse Morris in the Novice Hurdle.
- There was a long-priced double on the card for Templemore handler Willie Harney thanks to the victories of Prairie Call (11/2) and Kakagh (25/1).
JAN 18TH
THURLES
- The Going was again Heavy for both horses and punters alike in Thurles on Monday. On this occasion not a solitary jolly obliged on the day. The week-end trend of odds-on shots getting turned over continued unabated in both Beginners Chases on the card as Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh had to endure 2 more costly failures. Firstly, Kempes (1/3) was readily accounted for by Paul Nolans See U Bob (4/1) ridden by Alan Cawley and then The Midnight Club (9/10) finished a well-beaten third behind the Davy Russell ridden and Thomas O Leary trained Jagoes Mill (11/4).
- The feature race was The Phil Sweeney Memorial Chase (Grade 3) and this went the way of the ever-dependable Davy Russell who guided Tally Em Up (8/1) to victory over the hot favourite Moskova. Philip Rothwell saddled the winner.
Meanwhile, all roads lead to Gowran Park on Thursday for the running of the prestigious Thyestes Chase, the big race of the year at the picturesque Kilkenny track. Perhaps Beroni can give the Willie Mullins stable a fillip after a few reversals over the past few days.
Dunguib’s entry for The Champion Hurdle has got plenty of tongues wagging but it will be surprising if the original plan to stick to the Supreme Novices’ is not adhered to come March.
Solwhit continues his preparation for the Cotswolds in the Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown next Sunday and is confidently expected to continue his rich vein of form.
Trainers in form;
Willie Mullins ,Willie Harney, Philip Rothwell, Paul Nolan.
Happy Punting
JOE Q
