Rest of card

ONE of the biggest shocks of the weekend was also arguably the most popular winner of the Dublin Racing Festival, as smashing veteran Lord Erskine turned back the clock to provide Harry Rogers with a memorable success in the Timeless Sash Windows Handicap Hurdle worth €150,000.

Racing for the exors of the late Jerry Nolan, the 40/1 shot stayed on stoutly under Darragh O’Keeffe to overhaul Magical Zoe by three and a half lengths, providing Rogers with his first National Hunt winner at Leopardstown in at least two decades. It was Lord Erskine’s 11th win at the age of 11.

“Darragh knows him very well and was very good on him,” said the emotional winning trainer.

“He needs a fast-run race and I thought he was well in when I saw the weights. He’s a proper little horse and this is probably the first time we’ve managed to get him into a good handicap off a low weight.

“His late owner Jerry Nolan was one of my best owners. I rode winners for him and he was an absolute gentleman to train for. My wife Mary passed away two years ago and Jerry passed away four weeks later. They were the two best people in my life.”

Wonderful Wood

The Dublin Racing Festival’s most emphatic handicap winner of 2024 came in the O’Driscolls Irish Whiskey Leopardstown Handicap Chase when Henry de Bromhead and Rachael Blackmore combined to strike with smart novice Heart Wood by no fewer than 14 lengths.

Robcour’s handicap debutant had the potential to be well treated off an opening mark of 136 and took full advantage, though the winner could well have had a battle on his hands but for a final-fence fall for the staying-on Perceval Legallois.

De Bromhead said: “He was really good there. He had a couple of nice runs in beginners’ chases behind very good horses [Grangeclare West and Blood Destiny] and, in fairness, it seemed a reasonable mark. We’ll see what the handicapper thinks and take it from there in terms of where he goes next.”

From Catterick to Dublin

It’s hard to remember many major handicap winners in Ireland who warm up for a €100,000 prize by winning a mares’ maiden hurdle at Catterick in the middle of January.

However, Stuart Crawford and the Simon Munir and Isaac Souede team aren’t afraid to think outside the box and got rewarded for their unorthodox planning when Brucio plundered the €100,000 Irish Stallion Farms EBF Paddy Mullins Mares Handicap Hurdle under a smashing ride from J.J. Slevin.

The 20/1 shot had probably been more out than in since a promising start to her career when fifth to Junta Marvel in a Grade 3 bumper at last season’s Punchestown Festival, but put it all together to score by six lengths over the admirable Minx Tiara.

Crawford said: “I thought J.J. had her in a great position and thankfully it all went to plan. She jumped very well for one who is lightly raced. Luckily they just went a bit too hard in front and she won well in the end.

“She’s been steadily improving and won at Catterick the last day, which I thought was a really good piece of race selection by Anthony [Bromley]. We were in a different ball game today - it’s like going from primary school to becoming a brain surgeon - but it has given her a bit of confidence.

“We have plenty of options now. She might be one for the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham or a good handicap somewhere.”

Fleur on the up

Just as the meeting started, it ended with a Willie Mullins-trained winner - his ninth of the weekend.

Punters, and Patrick Mullins, wanted to be with Aurora Vega from the champion trainer’s three runners in the Grade 2 Coolmore N.H. Sires “Hurricane Lane” Irish EBF Mares I.N.H. Flat Race, but Facile Vega’s little sister could only finish fourth as Jody Townend popped up with 10/1 chance Fleur Au Fusil.

Ciaran and Paddy Reilly’s Kapgarde mare proved there was no fluke about her impressive debut win at Naas in November, and found generously for pressure after racing enthusiastically to strike by two and a half lengths over a plucky Switch From Diesel.

Mullins said: “Jody was excellent on the mare and it’s fantastic for Paddy Reilly - we could get a bar of a song here! Jody said she relaxed when she got to the front. She has a lovely, stout French pedigree. I’m not sure whether we’ll go to Cheltenham or Aintree next; this was her Gold Cup for the moment.”

DRF dominance

On his haul of nine Dublin Racing Festival winners, including a sweep of the eight Grade 1s, Mullins added: “It’s absolutely extraordinary, the quality of the winners. You come here hoping but they have to land but this is certainly more than I expected.

“I have to thank our owners and staff. The weather we’ve had this winter has been horrendous and our staff have been fantastic to keep the show on the road and keep them all ridden out in dreadful conditions. We’re really grateful to them.”