ON the final day of action at Ballinrobe for 2016, the featured John Mulhern Handicap Hurdle saw a return to top form for course-winning 10-year-old The Black Russian (8s into 7s).
Rachael Blackmore was in the plate on The Black Russian for the first time. The Fergus Hanley-owned and trained One Cool Cat gelding put in a typically game performance from the front, keeping on strongly on the run-in to defeat Runyon Rattler by seven lengths. (See Parrot Mouth on page A19)
“The plan worked and Rachael gave him a dinger of a ride. He has five won now so we are happy enough with him,” said Hanley. “He might go to Sligo for a chase if it’s not too heavy. I just wouldn’t like real winter ground with him. He doesn’t run left-handed so that rules out a lot.
“My Dad (Eddie) died five weeks ago so it’s nice to get this.”
There was also poignancy to the win of Moss Grove (20/1) in the Martinstown Opportunity Handicap Chase. Mary Tyner, wife of successful trainer, Robert, explained in the aftermath: “We are thinking of the head of the syndicate (the Dun Drinan Syndicate), Henry Wall, who passed away about a month ago. He bred the horse along with Ed Kenneally.”
Victorious in point-to-points and on the track when under Eamonn Fehily’s guidance, here Moss Grove led two out under Shane Crimin before dismissing Willow Grange by two and a half lengths.
At an improvement in form enquiry, Mrs Tyner reported that Moss Grove had disappointed on his previous start, having run off a nine-month break on his debut for the yard before that.
She felt that the soft underfoot conditions were ideal for their charge as his previous good form had shown. She also said that she felt that Moss Grove was temperamental.
The explanations were noted.
In-form John Ryan, handler of Willow Grange, had got on the score-sheet earlier courtesy of Father Jed (Danny Mullins up) in the Brendan McNulty Memorial Handicap Hurdle.
The joint 7/2 market-leader on the back of a Galway win from a fortnight previously, the Patrick Morrissey and Adam Lloyd-owned Kutub gelding enjoyed the patient ride afforded to him by Mullins, eventually leading before the last and seeing off the determined Bawnmore Lass, for a length and a quarter win.
“It’s great for his owners who had their first winner with him the last day,” commented Ryan. “He is only a five-year-old and he is doing well. Danny gave him a great ride and he is an integral part of my team.”
TORNADO AGAIN
Ryan’s first runner of the day, Mic Milano, (6s into 4s) was well-fancied for the Tuam Herald Handicap Hurdle. However, he bumped into one when the Mary Frances Fogarty-owned and Jonathan Fogarty-trained Tornado Watch ran out a heavily-supported victor for the second time running.
After landing a big gamble at Downpatrick towards the end of last month on the first effort for his Co Wexford connections, Tornado Watch was a very popular market leader again, at 11/8 here. The well-related chesnut came out on top by a comfortable four and a half lengths in the hands of Mikey Fogarty.
“We were a little bit worried about the ground but you’d be happy enough with him after that,” revealed the winning jockey. “He has strengthened up a bit and anything after the last day is a bonus. It’s great to have him.”
CLASSY MARE
The best wine was saved until last as the Supreme Horse Racing Club’s Listen Dear (5/6 favourite) impressed on her initial attempt over racecourse fences in the Connacht Tribune Beginners Chase under Ruby Walsh.
Willie Mullins’ Robin Des Champs mare looked pretty natural over her obstacles in the main. She was dominant from an early stage from the front to thrash Lucky Pat and the others by 20 lengths and more.
“She did it well, she jumped super for a first-timer and she had the class,” remarked Walsh of the Grade 3-winning hurdler.
In the other chase on the card, the J.B. Staunton Memorial, a winners of one event, Eight Till Late was beaten after hitting odds of 1/100 in running on the betting exchanges.
The drama started here when 7/4 second favourite Another Rebel had to be withdrawn for refusing to line-up at the start.
Front-running Bashful Beauty, owned and bred by Paul Mullins, was headed by Eight Till Late between the last two, but he refused to yield under Jack Kennedy, getting back up near the finish for a half-length win.
Norman Lee trains Bashful Beauty (100/30, 35 cent rule 4) and he reflected: “It’s the lads at home that do all the work, it’s easy for me to be doing the talking but I’ve three great lads at home and we are delighted if we get a few winners. It’s great for Paul who has been a lucky owner for us.”
Another winner with Co Galway connections was Freedom Statue (10/1) under Paul Townend in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Maiden Hurdle.
Townend donned the familiar silks of Tom Quinn on the well-bred daughter of Presenting, and Stephen Mahon’s charge came home with no fewer than 12 lengths to spare over market-leader, Inchiquin High.
“She jumps really well and every day you have a winner is a good day. The horses are running well,” said Mahon.
In the Sponsors Day At Ballinrobe 3YO Maiden Hurdle, there was a one-two for the Annus Mirabilis Syndicate and Joseph O’Brien, as Lord Justice (15/8 into 6/4 favourite) short-headed Zig Zag.
O’Brien’s cousin J. J. Slevin rode Lord Justice, while Jody McGarvey was on Zig Zag. Lord Justice overcame a couple of slight mistakes to marginally get the upper hand.
“I’m happy I turned professional at the minute anyway. Joseph is looking after me and with a bit of luck hopefully I can kick on,” was Slevin’s view on his recent switch from the amateur ranks.