TIERNAN Power Roche’s dream first season as a professional continued as he moved onto the 29-winner mark for the campaign with a 29/1 double highlighted by the feature race win of Monbeg Park in the QuinnBet Handicap Chase.
The Walk In The Park gelding, trained by Sean Doyle for his brother Donnchadh, was sent off the 4/1 favourite having finished third in the Leopardstown Chase at the Dublin Racing Festival and after jumping left when striking the front at the last, soon asserted and kept on well to beat Tyre Kicker by two and a half lengths.
Power Roche, who picked up a four-day careless riding ban for interference caused to the runner-up at the final fence, said: “He’s a bit quirky. I was talking to the boys, who are point-to-pointing today, and they said leave your stick until last resort and try not to interfere with him too much. He has loads of ability.”
Valuable claim
Trainer Cian Collins was full of praise for the in-form rider after Brandt (5/1) was produced with a well-timed challenge in the three-and-a-half-mile Dublin National Handicap Chase, leading on the run-in and keeping on well to beat Union Station by two and three-quarter lengths.
“It was an unbelievable ride by Tiernan and he’s great value for the 5lb. There was plenty of pace on and we were confident that he would stay,” said Collins of the Del Boy Partnership-owned gelding. “The Ulster National is in a month’s time at Downpatrick and if he got into it, that would suit perfect.”
On the scoreboard
Gavin Cromwell sent out three horses to fill the runner-up spot including both of the chases but did get on the scoresheet with Serienmond, who was having his first start for the Danestown trainer in division one of the Cancer Fund For Children Charity Handicap Hurdle.
Keith Donoghue had a few anxious moments when tight for room on the inner approaching the last but the 6/1 shot quickened up well on the run-in to beat High Honour by three lengths.
“They went a good gallop which helped him settle. He’s been very keen at home since he came to us, and we’ve been working hard on just trying to get him to do things right,” said Cromwell of the Giddy Up Boy Syndicate-owned gelding.
DARCY’S Friend, available at 11/2 overnight and sent off the 5/6 favourite, justified strong support on his first start for Emmet Mullins in division twohe maiden hurdle, leading at the last before driven out by Donagh Meyler to beat Moylussa by a length and a half.
“Looking at the betting it wasn’t just me that saw his point-to-point form and he galloped away through the line. We wouldn’t be afraid to stretch him out in trip,” said Mullins, who trains the six-year-old for Alan Hughes.
Long wait
Thedevilscoachman bridged a gap of nearly two years without a win when justifying 13/8 favouritism in the QuinnBet Hurdle, travelling well under Mark Walsh to lead approaching the last before drawing clear to beat Meet And Greet by nine lengths.
“It was nice to see him getting his head back in front, and Mark said he travelled well and jumped great.
“We’ll see what conditions races are there for him and he may go back over fences before the end of the season,” said Frank Berry representing winning owner J.P. McManus.
Family success
The Adare Manor Opportunity Maiden Hurdle provided the father and son team of Conor and Charlie O’Dwyer with a welcome change of fortune as Solsbury Hill led early on the run-in to beat Following Orders by three-quarters of a length.
Conor Clarke picked up a four-day careless riding ban aboard third-placed Harbour Highway for an incident after the first where the winner was hampered and hit the rails.
“We have eventually got it right with him. We’ve tried everything – different trips, put a hood on him the last day and took it off today, and in fairness to Charlie he was adamant that he wanted to drop him in and get him switched off down the inner, but it was fairly rough early on,” said Conor O’Dwyer of the 12/1 shot he trains for Hugo & Anne Kane. “He’ll definitely go chasing next season as he jumps a fence super.”
HONESTY Policy’s task in the opening Connolly’s Red Mills Irish EBF Auction Novice Hurdle was eased by the absence of a couple of his chief rivals, but the Francis Mangan-owned 4/9 favourite gave supporters more than a few worries before getting on top under Sam Ewing in the closing stages to beat Champagne Jury by a length and a quarter.
“We were all sweating coming down the home straight when he was stuck in a bit of a pocket, but he got himself out of trouble. The softer the ground the better for him, you can see his knee action. I’m sure Gordon will be aiming for the final at the Punchestown Festival,” said Lisa O’Neill representing Gordon Elliott.
Altior relation
Punters were also smiling after the concluding QuinnBet (Pro/Am) Flat Race where 9/4 favourite Oneinthewell was prominent throughout under Patrick Mullins and kept on well in the final 100 yards to beat Eternal Echo by a length.
“He’s very lazy at home but he’s worked well away a few times with some nice horses. He has plenty left in the tank and doesn’t overexert himself,” said Tom Cooper who trains the debut winner for Denis Gallagher Racing.
“The nice ground helped him. He’s a Mastercraftsman and the dam is a sister to Altior so it’s a right page. We might look at the listed race in Limerick.”