REST OF THE CARD

JOHN Joe Walsh could have quite a prospect on his hands in Davids Charm who was simply in a different league to his rivals in what looked a red-hot thetote.com Handicap Hurdle.

The lightly raced six-year-old, who was slapped with a 16lb hike in the weights for a smooth win at Listowel two months previously, crept into this race as a first reserve. In truth he would have won had he an even bigger weight and this gelding might just challenge for a quality handicap in the future.

A patient Ambrose McCurtin allowed the 14/1 shot to work his way into contention over the last half mile and when he was asked to pick up Davids Charm did so in style. The Tom O’Brien Partnership-owned winner surged past Clara Sorrento well before the last and he finished with some seven and a half lengths to spare in this two-mile, five-furlong contest.

“He’s a great stayer but the one worry was that he was still very green but hopefully he’ll keep learning,” reflected Walsh. “The owners are from Tralee and they’ve been with us just under two years. They’ve two horses with us and both have now won twice.”

A tremendous reception was in store for Miss Eyecatcher (14/1) as the triple bumper winner recaptured her best form in the Tote Irish EBF Mares Handicap Hurdle. On her return from a two-month break, the Roger McGrath-trained mare jumped out in front for David Mullins and never relinquished the lead.

The heavily-backed Rosie Alice (6/1-3/1) threaded her way through the field to mount a stern challenge after the last. However, she could never quite reel in the leader, who crossed the line with a length and a quarter to spare, and jubilant scenes followed from winning owners the Connery Family Syndicate.

“She’s a fine mare and already has blacktype over hurdles and she’d run against some very good mares last winter,” declared McGrath. “She’s improved off a break and the owners were keen to have a crack at something here so we said we’d run in this before going chasing. Two and a half miles is probably her optimum trip but it’s a tough two miles around here.”

An excellent meeting for both Willie Mullins and owner Annette Mee yielded a day three double which began when Minella Beau made a successful start over hurdles in the Win Big With Tote Maiden Hurdle. The Cork bumper winner, who was bouncing back from an odds-on defeat at Limerick two months previously, produced a professional display from the front under Ruby Walsh.

From some way out he was being tracked by stablemate Castello Sforza, whose challenge faltered with a mistake at the second last, and it was left to the 122-rated Turbojet to lead the chase. The 5/4 favourite was always doing enough to prevail and he finished with three-quarters of a length to spare.

chaser

“He was bought as a chaser and I would imagine as the season progresses that he will be going out in trip. I thought Castello Sforza ran well on his comeback and he’s another that would appreciate going out in trip,” commented Mullins.

The double was brought up by Exchange Rate (7/2) in the Tote-sponsored amateur riders’ maiden. This son of Monsun made a winning racecourse debut in a Downpatrick bumper last month and coped well with the switch back to a mile and a half. Exchange Rate had to fight for some room to make his challenge in the straight but did so in determined fashion and once he got into the clear he finished well to pull two and a quarter lengths clear of Great Trango.

“That was a gutsy performance on just his second run. He’s more of a flat/hurdle horse rather than a chaser and he’ll mix it between the two from here. I’m hoping he’ll improve again back over a longer trip,” declared Mullins.

LAST GASP

Jet Streaming, who looked one to stay on the right side of when winning at Leopardstown in June, bounced back to claim a last gasp triumph in the Win Big With Tote Handicap. This three-year-old only affair over a mile is often an interesting heat and it served up a cracking finale which provided apprentice Danny Sheehy with his first festival success.

At the entrance to the straight, three of the runners were doing battle up front but it seemed as though So You Thought had this race in the bag when he moved on. However, Jet Streaming (7/1) came with a tremendous late surge to strike the front in the final yards.

“This filly will definitely go up in trip now. The race worked out well for her as they went hard and she finished very well,” remarked Adrian Keatley of the Farranamanagh-owned daughter of Born To Sea.

“Danny has been flying lately and I’m delighted for him – he gave her a great ride.”

Perfect Soldier (5/1) provided the Michael O’Callaghan Racing Club with their first winner as he lasted home in Thetote.com Maiden. The initial pace-setter regained the lead from Kupa River early in the straight and kept responding to the urgings of Sean Davis to hold the late thrust of the newcomer Giorni Felice by a head.

“It was a great ride from Sean and that was probably the winning of the race. I told him going out the horse does hit a flat spot and not be afraid to give him a couple of backhanders and that’s what he did,” reflected trainer Michael O’Callaghan. “It’s great for the Racing Club, I’ve never shouted a winner home more.”

A 20/1 surprise was lying in wait in the Tote-sponsored two-mile handicap as Shark Hanlon’s Magna Cartor held off last year’s winner Water Sprite. The seven-year-old had posted a number of solid efforts in defeat lately and improved on those under a decisive Rory Cleary who kicked his mount into a clear lead before the straight. Water Sprite loomed up as a big threat but she simply could not find a way past the Rachel O’Neill-owned runner who carried the day by one and three-quarter lengths.

“I must thank the committee for allowing me to bring him straight from the yard on to the track. He can just be a bit tricky and he’s the reason I’m on a crutch – he knocked me over on the walkway at Cheltenham and then walked on top of me and I did a tendon in my leg,” remarked Hanlon. “He got a great ride from Rory, who says he’ll be able to win another on the flat.”

ACTING STEWARDS

D. Pugh, P.J.A. O’Connor, N. Rooney, D.H. Gavin, P.D. Mathews

Horse To Follow

RICKRACK (Mrs J. Harrington): On her first outing since last September, the filly was favourite for the amateur riders’ maiden and, though keen in the lead, posted a solid effort to secure third.

NEWS

Lame post-race

WILLIAM B, who started favourite for the handicap hurdle won by Davids Charm, was reported to be lame-post race.