DRUID’S Altar is taking high rank in the novice chasing brigade at this early stage of the season and made it three wins from his last four starts by landing the MOKKA-E At Ferrybank Motors Rated Novice Chase in impressive fashion.

The Joseph O’Brien-trained four-year-old put in a fine round of jumping and took command from the penultimate fence. The 10/11 favourite cruised clear on the run-in under Donagh Meyler, sporting the familiar light blue and grey colours of the Annus Mirabilis Syndicate, to beat Jungle Junction by a facile 15 lengths.

The front-running Effernock Fizz was a further four and a half lengths back in third.

Fly high

Put The Kettle On won this two-and-a-half-mile event back in 2019 before going on to land the Arkle and Champion Chase at successive Cheltenham Festivals, so who knows how high the son of Mastercraftsman can fly.

“That was very impressive. He’s a very straightforward ride; he jumps well and he travels well,” said Meyler before adding, “I’m happy to be substituting for JJ (Slevin) who gets on well with him but is suspended today.

“I think he’s versatile ground-wise. He gets them under pressure the way he jumps and the way he travels.”

SATURDAY September 4th 2021 proved a real red-letter day for Aglish trainer Roger McGrath who saddled a first double at combined odds of nearly 30/1.

Shanacoole set the ball rolling when rewarding the patience of connections in the two-and-a-half-mile Download The BoyleSports App Handicap Hurdle.

The eight-year-old gelding, owned by Frank and Elizabeth Motherway, was sent on approaching the straight by Darragh O’Keeffe and held the renewed effort of Emma Prada on the run-in by a diminishing half a length.

The 12/1 chance edged left across Emma Prada before the last but the places were confirmed following a stewards enquiry. McGrath said: “He’s a grand horse and won two point-to-points. He had a setback and was off for a while and his first few runs (over hurdles) his jumping wasn’t sharp enough. It was more fluent today and he got a more prominent position.

Patient

“The longer trip helped and there will be some fun to be had with him over fences. He’s bred by the owners, the Motherways. They’ve had to be very patient with him and hopefully we’ll pick up a few more with him.”

Sweet Street (11/8 favourite) completed the landmark double in the following three-mile Wexford Mares Maiden Hurdle by making most for champion jockey Paul Townend, who drove her out on the run-in to beat Belles Benefit by a length and a half.

“That’s my first double on the track. It’s not many days that we would have two running on the one day!” quipped a delighted McGrath.

“She deserves it and is a very honest and consistent mare. It’s hard enough to win these mares’ races with the bonus and it’s great as we have all the family at home.

“She will probably stay over hurdles and go chasing next year. She stays well and Paul advised me to come here instead of Listowel where there is a two-and-a-half-mile mares’ that I had in the back of my mind. My father-in-law John Motherway, who is a cousin of Frank, owns her. I’m based in Aglish which is west Waterford close to the Cork border.”

Amlad takes advantage for Andy Mc

PAUL Townend was also fancied to take the Support Local Stay Local Handicap Hurdle aboard Downthecellar, successful on his previous four starts over fences and now competing off a 35lb lower mark over hurdles.

However, the 11/10 favourite ran out when holding a narrow lead at the penultimate flight.

Amlad, trained by Andrew McNamara for the Dalma Syndicate, was the one to take advantage getting on top in the closing stages to beat Pretty Little Liar by a length and three-quarters.

“I felt I always had them covered to be honest and I was keen not to get there until the last as he only does enough,” said rider Bryan Cooper of the 13/2 chance. “I fancied him coming here and I thought a strong-run two miles would suit him. It’s nice to get a winner for Andy.”

Mick Mulvany is eyeing up a crack at the Liam Healy Memorial Lartigue Hurdle in Listowel later this month after Barnacullia got off the mark in style in the Adare Manor Opportunity Maiden Hurdle.

The Ocovango gelding belied odds of 14/1 heading 4/6 favourite soon after two out and drawing clear on the run-in for Jordan Gainford to score by seven lengths.

Lovely chaser

Mulvany, who won the ‘Lartigue’ four years ago with On The Go Again, said: “We were a bit disappointed the last day with him but he blew up and that’s why we brought him back a bit in trip. He’s a big horse and he’s only coming to himself. He should make a lovely chaser.

“The plan is to go for the Lartigue Hurdle at Listowel. We were aiming Buzz Light at it as well as the lads (Clearys Syndicate) also own him but he’s having problems.”

Leading owner J.P. McManus won the two handicap chases on the card with Buttons And Bows and Glenquin Castle.

Buttons And Bows, pulled up on her last two chase runs before an encouraging run on the flat at Tramore last month, justified good support (10/1 - 11/2) in the Garry Flood Landscapes Handicap Chase.

The Flemensfirth mare travelled well to lead at the penultimate fence and stretched right away in the closing stages to beat Allardyce by an easy 11 lengths.

“She jumped very well and travelled well. They went very hard up front and it all fell apart – she picked up the pieces,” said winning rider Jody McGarvey.

“Pat (Flynn, trainer) has her back in great form. She had a lovely run on the flat the last day and has stepped forward from that.”

Hat-trick

Glenquin Castle (7/4 favourite) completed a hat-trick in staying handicap chases with a hard-earned victory in the Racing Again October 24th And 25th Handicap Chase. The Martin Brassil-trained gelding made steady headway to lead at the last but needed to be kept right up to his work in the closing stages by Mark Walsh to hold off Avec Espoir by half a length.

“He’s progressing well and hopefully he continues on that path. That was the toughest race he’s had today,” said Walsh.

“The last day I thought they just hacked around but they went a proper end to end gallop today. His jumping keeps him in it and I was delighted to get his head in front again. He likes nice ground.”