THE highlight of Henry de Bromhead’s week was obviously Chris’s Dream’s win in the Ladbrokes Troytown Chase at Navan on Sunday, but he had to have been happy with his maiden hurdle double on Tuesday at Punchestown with Aspire Tower and Cavalry Master, and he had to have been delighted with Minella Indo’s run to finish second to Laurina in the beginners’ chase at Gowran Park on Saturday.
Minella Indo was beaten, but he was racing over a trip, two and a half miles, that was probably short of his best, and he was beaten by a high-class mare in Laurina, who was competing over a trip that was close to her optimum.
One of the most impressive elements of Barry Maloney’s horse’s performance was his jumping, very efficient for a chasing debutant, and he matched Laurina until she just appeared to out-pace him at the third last fence. He kept on well though to finish a clear second.
It was a really good start back for Minella Indo, his chasing debut and his first run since May. Winner of the Albert Bartlett Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival last March, and of the Grade 1 Irish Daily Mirror Hurdle at the Punchestown Festival, he could step up in grade now, even though he is still a maiden over fences. He should improve too as he steps up in trip.
EOIN Walsh was very good on Dinard Rose in the opening race at Gowran Park on Saturday. He didn’t panic when Very Excellent skipped away from him at the second last flight. He had his whip in his right hand on the Noel Meade-trained filly on the run to the final flight and, when she started to go a little to her left, he switched his whip seamlessly into his left hand, and she stayed on well for him from there to get home.
Nina Carberry’s filly was unlucky on her previous run at Galway, when she was badly hampered at the second last flight. She reversed form with Very Excellent from that race, a race from which the winner Sacchoandvanzetti has since come out and won again.
It was an eighth win for Walsh, who is big value for his 7lb claim, and who is getting lots of good opportunities from Noel Meade. Note, though, that even he couldn’t ride Dinard Rose in the 11.50 at Gowran Park on Saturday, then get to Huntingdon to ride 100/1 shot Aleatoric in the 11.55 there.
“She [Laurina] is one for the Mares’ Chase at Cheltenham in 2021” – Willie Mullins