HENRY de Bromhead bagged a double, as Roscommon attracted a big crowd for Ladies Day last Monday. Le Coq Hardi proved popular with the punters in the SuperValu Novice Hurdle on the card and Rachael Blackmore was given a warm welcome after winning on the 11/8 favourite.
The Michael Stafford-owned gelding led approaching the straight and kept on strongly in the closing stages, to post a two and three-quarter length win over If You Let Me.
Stable representative Robbie Power said: “A strongly-run two miles like that today really suited him. He looked flat out most of the way, and Rachael said he was, but he keeps finding and jumps really well.
“It was quick ground and it was quick the day he won at Down Royal as well so he likes that good ground, it really suits him. There is plenty more to look forward to.”
Quick double
In the next race, Ethan O’Sullivan got the leg up on Pidoyne to close the double for trainer Henry de Bromhead in the Re/Max Team Earley Handicap Hurdle and gave the 14/1 shot a well-judged ride.
The Fast Company mare came from the rear to dispute after three out and overcame a slight error at the last to get on top in the closing stages for a length success over Aussie Warrior.
Power said: “We were very concerned about the ground beforehand but the lads (Camphor Syndicate) were keen to run and her half-sister won at Bellewstown the other evening on good ground.
“I’m delighted for the lads as they’ve persevered with her, she’s been frustrating at times.
“It’s great for them to get their day. Ethan gave her a brilliant ride, that’s his first winner for Henry and his second in total. He’s a very good rider.”
MAJOR Barry made the most of a ‘bit of luck’ when running out a good winner of the Adare Manor Opportunity Maiden Hurdle. The complexion of the race changed three from home when front-runner Drumgill fell and brought down Tell Me This.
The 10/3 favourite Major Barry had moved up to challenge then and was left in front. He kept on well for Danny Gilligan in the closing stages to post a four and a half length win over Sage Conseil.
“We had a bit of luck but you need a bit of luck,” said joint-trainer Thomas Kiely. I’d say he was going to be thereabouts anyway, they were probably going to fight it out.
“He was due it as he had two good bumper runs, his run behind Jalon D’oudairies was a very good run. That’s his ground and he’ll run away for the summer now at the likes of these tracks.
“It’s great for the owners (Anthony Murphy) as they’ve had a few frustrating days with him.”
Overdue victory
In the following Frenchpark Maiden Hurdle Jeaniemacaroney gained an overdue win for Joseph O’Brien and J.P. McManus.
The well-backed 6/4 favourite was prominent throughout and got on top on the run-in to beat Caman Eileen by two and a quarter lengths.
Racing manager Frank Berry said: “She’s been very consistent without winning and it was nice that she got her turn. I thought she was in a bit of trouble turning in, but Mark (Walsh) said she put down her head and battled well today.
“The three hurdles in the straight was a help to her, I’d say. She’ll tip away for the summer and mix it between flat and jumps.”
Popular winner
The earlier races were kind to punters and 11/4 joint-favourite Dollar Value was another popular winner in the opening Knockcroghery Claiming Hurdle.
Alex Harvey got the grey to the front before the second flight and he had a five-length lead at halfway. The Tom McCourt-trained gelding stayed on strongly down the straight to record a cosy 14-length win.
“When you get him on that kind of day he’s great,” said McCourt, who trains the winner for Peter Jordan. He gallops them into the ground once he gets into that rhythm. He never wins a race by a length or two, when he wins he annihilates them.
“I’d love to run him over fences but he’s very highly rated. He’s not the easiest horse to keep right so you can’t keep running him to get him down. He doesn’t owe us anything.”
The seventh placed Gordons Aura was the sole horse claimed, for €5,000 by William Delahunty.
THE veteran Smitty Bacall bounced back to form when claiming the Roscommon Herald Handicap Hurdle for John Flavin.
He went to post a 66/1 shot having been pulled up on two previous outings, but came with a late rattle, under Darragh O’Keeffe, to get up for a half-length win over Arrycan.
“I actually fancied him the last day when he ran at Tramore, but he just didn’t go at all,” said Flavin. I said to Darragh not to worry about that. I know he’s 13 but the way he was working it wasn’t a mad surprise.
The Tramore, Co Waterford trainer added: “He was showing a bit of sparkle, I wouldn’t have kept him going if he wasn’t and he hasn’t a huge amount of miles on the clock. I’m delighted that he won, it worked out the finest.”
Successful debut
The bumper also produced a big priced winner as Versace Twentyone made a successful debut under rules. Gordon Elliott’s charge, owned by the Little Emperor Syndicate, kicked clear over a half a mile from home but the 20/1 shot was headed early in the final furlong. The Kingston Hill mare found plenty for Charlotte Butler to rally late on and prevail by three-quarters of a length over Hey Sunshine.
Butler said afterwards: “When Jody’s horse came alongside me she battled on very well, all the way to the line.
“Her form pointing hasn’t been amazing but she was travelling very well the last time in Stradbally when she unluckily fell. I was confident coming in that she’d run a strong race.”