RISING star Jack Foley continued a terrific run of form when partnering Stratum to victory in the He’llberemembered Hurdle at Thurles on Thursday.
The claimer partnered his eighth winner in October when guiding the 11/10 favourite to success in the featured two-mile–seven-furlong contest at the Tipperary venue. It was his fourth winner for champion trainer Willie Mullins and the 5lb claimer produced the 11/10 favourite to lead at the second last.
The classy dual-purpose performer, owned by Tony Bloom, asserted before the final flight and galloped on strongly in the closing stages to post a six-length win over Doctor Duffy.
Foley said afterwards: “He was obviously the best horse in the race and he did it well. It was a nice opportunity for him to get his head in front again over hurdles.
“That’s my fourth winner for Willie and he’s very good with opportunities for me. Everyone in the yard is brilliant, Ruby (Walsh), David Casey and Paul Townend are good for advice.”
Rose blooms
Three of the contests on the card were confined to mares and Ballyshannon Rose made a big impression in the opening beginners’ chase on her first outing over the larger obstacles for owner Mrs Hughes.
Paul Fahey’s charge, a progressive sort over timber last season, pulled her way to the front before the seventh fence and the 15/2 shot then made the best of her way home in the two-and-a-half-mile contest.
The result never looked in doubt down the straight as the Doyen mare kept on strongly in the closing stages for Donie McInerney to record a three-length win over The Sliding Rock.
“The plan wasn’t to make as much use of her but she was fresh and free and dragged him there so what could he do only go with her,” said Fahey.
“There is the Florida Pearl in Punchestown, over two miles six, and then hopefully the three-miler at Christmas. She’s a very exciting mare and we’re looking forward to going places with her.”
Lady on an upward curve
INFLUENTIAL Lady looks like another mare on an upward curve after quickening up smartly to land the Premier County Mares Handicap Hurdle.
James Barcoe’s charge had been an easy winner at Gowran Park on her previous start and followed up despite a 9lb hike.
Cathal Landers produced the 13/2 shot with a strong run to lead on the run-in and score by two and a quarters lengths in the two-mile-seven contest.
“She’s thriving, thank God, and I’m lucky to have her. She’s handled Navan on winter ground so I think she’ll go on softer as well,” said the winning owner/trainer.
The mares’ maiden hurdle also produced a thrilling finish with Lighthouse Lady rallying gamely on the run-in to land the two-miler for Noel Brosnan.
Gary Noonan always had the 9/1 shot to the fore and she fought off the challenge of 6/5 favourite Hollymount going to the last to record a half-length win over the fast-finishing Choral Work.
Winning trainer Edmond Kent said: “She runs a bit in and out but she has loads of ability. It was just about getting that bit of luck with her and she seemed to enjoy it in front today.”
Bubbling win
Another mare to come good on the day was Bubbles In May in the concluding Munster INH Flat Race.
The John Cahill-trained daughter of Stowaway went to post an 18/1 shot but made most of the running, under Michael O’Sullivan, and kicked clear over a furlong out for a four-and-a-half-length win.
“That’s what she has always shown at home. She had little niggly problems and it’s taken until now to get her right,” said Cahill.
“It’s job done as she’s a three-parts sister to Champagne Fever and I want her as a broodmare. Hopefully we’ll get another couple of weeks with the ground as I love to give her one run in a maiden hurdle before it gets soft.”
THE 13-year-old Bellgrove showed there is still a bit in the tank when running out a cosy winner of the two-mile, two-furlong handicap chase for owners Eamon Sinnott and Damian Murphy
J.J. Slevin was to the fore throughout on Pat Cloke’s charge and he led early in the straight to record a convincing five-length win on the 12/1 shot.
The winning rider said: “He got the run of the race and it suited him. We got away sharp and got a bit of room for him. When he doesn’t get hassled he’s a better horse and it worked out well.”
A long trip down from Draperstown paid off for Noel Kelly when Ellaat ran out a game winner of the Leugh Handicap Hurdle for Shauna Kelly.
The 6/1 shot came to claim 8/11 favourite Downthecellar at the last in the two-miler and found plenty for Jody McGarvey on the run-in to get home by three-quarters of a length.
Game Ellaat
“It was a long journey, I was up at 6.30am this morning,” said the Co Derry-based trainer. “He’s a game wee buck, I thought the ground was maybe going to be a bit too soft for him but he got away with it.”