ZARIYGANN got his hurdling career off to an impressive start when a wide margin winner in division two of the Curragh To Curragh Cycle On Saturday August 31st Maiden Hurdle.
The half-brother to Grade 2 winner and Champion Hurdle third Zanahiyr was well backed from 5/1 in the morning going off the 5/6 favourite and gave his supporters few anxious moments.
Jack Kennedy’s mount held a three lengths advantage over San Franco when that rival fell at the last and this left the Sea The Moon gelding to come home 19 lengths clear from Garnacho.
“He has the size and scope to do it but you’re always anxious first time over hurdles. Jack said he jumped well and gave him a nice feel,” said Mick Halford who trains the gelding in partnership with Tracey Collins for Joe O’Flaherty.
“He had plenty of schooling done with my own lad Tommy at home and Josh also sat on him once or twice. We’ll probably mix it with him. He’s quite raw on the flat and I thought a couple of runs over hurdles would do him good and settle him.”
Amanha on the mark
Division one went to Amanha (9/1) who put a frustrating sequence of placed efforts in bumpers behind her when switching to hurdles, drawing clear after the last for Paddy O’Hanlon to beat Hastag Pretender by five lengths.
Winning trainer Dermot McLoughlin said: “She was keen in bumpers and probably overraced a bit but once she settled today she was able to finish out the race well.
“Maybe the hood helped as well. I’m delighted for the lads (Wild Geese Syndicate) as she was placed so many times trying to win a bumper and she’ll go for a mares’ novice now.”
JORDAN Gainford partnered a 233/1 double initiated by Vaureal who recorded a 25/1 surprise in the opening two and a half mile Railway Bar Maiden Hurdle.
The Kapgarde gelding, trained by Colin Bowe for Milestone Bloodstock Limited, made headway between horses to lead after the last before drawing clear to beat Irina’s Path by three and a half lengths.
“He’s a big baby that is learning on the job the whole time. In Downpatrick it just happened too quick for him and he stays well,” said the winning rider.
Cian Collins was full of praise for Gainford after the Del Boy Partnership-owned Brandt made a successful start for the Robinstown trainer in the Kepak Handicap Chase.
“I thought it was a very, very good ride by Jordan. We knew there would be plenty of pace so we said we’d take our time and he finished well,” said Collins after the well backed 8/1 shot led on the run-in to beat Gaelic Des Chastys by a length and three-quarters. “We have him two months and it’s great to get him to win today. We haven’t galloped him at home but have just changed a few things and thankfully they have worked.”
Enright double
Phillip Enright was another rider to record a double when successful aboard Housemartin and Presenting Lad at combined odds of 71/1.
Housemartin was patiently ridden in the three-mile Connolly’s Red Mills Handicap Hurdle, getting well on top in the closing stages to beat Wa Wa by three and a quarter lengths.
“I was going to go chasing with him and he ran well in Sligo so we said we’d have one more go with him over hurdles,” said trainer Edward O’Grady who also owns the 8/1 winner in partnership with Veronica Spicer.
“It wasn’t ideal to be out the back but he jumped his way into it beautifully. I felt the three hurdles in the straight would be a help to him and he’ll probably go chasing next.”
Enright doubled up half an hour later on Presenting Lad, trained by Mark McNiff for the Presenting The Lads Syndicate, in the J F Hanley Groundscare Beginners Chase.
Took advantage
The front-running Lope De Light still held a lead of five lengths when falling three from home and Presenting Lad took full advantage keeping on well on the run-in to beat Fremantle Doctor by two and a quarter lengths.
“He’d a lovely run the last day in Kilbeggan. He’s probably as high as he’d want to be in the handicap but today he had the experience and it told.
“He’s won twice around Roscommon before and runs well around here. Hopefully he’ll step forward now he has a bit of confidence,” said Enright of the 7/1 winner.
Grand beginnings for Dempsey’s Vert
LE Grand Vert is a recent acquisition out of Micky Hammond’s yard in Middleham and the eight-year-old gelding, now trained by Philip Dempsey for his daughter Sarah, made a great start for new connections when always prominent in the three miles and a furlong Paul Byron Shoes Handicap Chase to beat Kadys Dirha by two and a half lengths.
“Philip has done a great job with him. He travelled away and I suppose it was the survival of the fittest on that (soft) ground for summer horses,” said winning rider Donagh Meyler.
“He was well spotted by Sarah and Keith (Donoghue) so fair play to them and Philip just said to buck him out and wherever he travels keep it simple.”
All the rage
The Emmet Mullins-trained Jerry From Kerry was all the rage in the concluding Brian Keenan On-Course Bookmaker Flat Race but the 4/6 favourite couldn’t find any extra in the closing stages as fellow newcomer Keep Up, trained by Emmet’s uncle Willie for Donald Galt, drew clear to score by five and a half lengths.
“That was a nice surprise as we didn’t think she would be forward enough. She was very green before the race and early in the race but learned as she went.
“She has a nice pedigree and we think there is plenty of improvement in her,” said winning rider Patrick Mullins of the 4/1 shot.