A PERSISTENT heavy mist resulted in deteriorating conditions for this all-chase programme, with the ground soft after the sixth race from an initial description of yielding.
Working wonders to keep the partnership intact, the heroics of Donagh Meyler aboard Falcon Park in the Discover Wexford Handicap Chase was the main talking point by close of play.
A few lengths clear at the time, Meyler was catapulted into the air after the Emmet Mullins-trained eight-year-old blundered at the last.
Essentially riding side-saddle on the run-in, the Co Kilkenny pilot somehow managed to cajole the Susan Hennessy-owned 5/1 chance to a length-and-three-quarters success.
“Fear kept me on. I wouldn’t have liked a telling-off from the boss with Galway ahead next week, so it was best to stay on!” Meyler quipped.
Mullins then added: “He has had plenty of attempts at this stage and it was an unorthodox way of getting across the line, but we’ll take it.”
Straightforward
It was a lot more straightforward for Simon Torrens aboard Common Practice (11/4 joint-favourite) in the Forth Mountain Trails Beginners Chase, with the Joseph O’Brien-trained flat-bred five-year-old bolting up.
On what was his debut over fences, the J.P. McManus-owned bay eased to the front after two out and stretched further clear on the run-in, coming home eight lengths to the good.
“He had been schooling well. He had lost his way on his last couple of runs over hurdles and we couldn’t find any particular reason for it,” said McManus’ racing manager Frank Berry.
“He jumped well today and he’ll tip away now for the rest of the summer into autumn.”
Kudasheva steps up over fences
A THIRD double in the space of three weeks brought Henry de Bromhead’s tally for July to 12, with the convincing success of Kudasheva in the www. wexfordraces. ie Beginners Chase, the highlight of his 26/1 two-timer.
Bought for £370,000 after winning a point-to-point on debut for Pat Doyle, the Pour Moi six-year-old was one of three de Bromhead representatives in this 12-runner affair.
The choice of Rachael Blackmore, the Peter Davies-owned 5/1 chance led from flag fall and while briefly joined after a slight mistake four out, she went on again approaching the penultimate obstacle and eventually came home 11 lengths to the good.
A stable companion of the winner, Ring O Roses was returned the well-supported 9/4 favourite (from 13/2) and she finished a well-beaten fourth.
Conor Stone-Walsh, rider of Secrecies Of Stone, was later handed a four-day ban and ordered to forfeit his riding fee for easing his mount without good reason, thereby losing fifth place.
“She was good, she got into a great rhythm and jumped from fence to fence,” Blackmore commented.
Progressing
“We probably thought she would have won before now but hopefully she’ll keep progressing over fences.”
In the colours of the Dave Clerkin Racing Club, Freddie Robdal (7/2) provided de Bromhead with his initial success of the day in the Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Chase.
On what was his first ride for the Knockeen handler, Co Clare native Diarmuid Moloney settled the Valirann seven-year-old towards the rear.
With the field of seven closely bunched throughout, the bay victor made progress from the second last and swept to the front when ridden away from the final fence, going on to beat Bocelli’s Voice (11/4 favourite) by three lengths.
“It’s been a long time coming. I’m based with Henry now and thanks to him for getting me going again,” Moloney, who was registering his first success since April of last year, reflected.
Sphagnum sees out stamina-sapping contest
JUST six of the 14 starters for the Support The Irish Injured Jockeys Fund Handicap Chase managed to complete the course, with Shane Broderick’s Sphagnum (7/1) coping best with worsening conditions.
Run over an extended trip of three miles and a furlong, this stamina sapping contest concerned just two from the penultimate obstacle, with Sea Aster (3/1 favourite) in a marginal lead.
Soon tackled by the Peat Moss Syndicate-owned victor, the market leader was headed on the run-in and had no more to offer, with two and three-quarters of a length between them at the line.
“He is usually a good ground horse and I was worried about the ground, but he seemed to handle it fierce well,” winning rider Dillon Maxwell divulged. “He is a horse that doesn’t have a lot of gears, but he seems to stay plugging away. He loves a battle.”
The concluding Treo Eile Handicap Chase was run over the same trip, with proven stayer Three By Two (9/1 from 25s early) winning for local trainer Denis Murphy. The winner of the Ladies Cup at last year’s Punchestown Festival, the Mick McEvoy-owned eight-year-old settled in mid-division by Richie Deegan, taking closer order with a circuit to go.
Travelling best in second on the approach to the straight, the Yeats bay was soon pushed along to lead and plugged on dourly from there to register a length-and-a-quarter success.
Bearwithmenow filled the runner-up spot, with his rider Hugh Morgan picking up a two-day ban for using his whip with excessive frequency.
“I’d say just the trip the last day was a little bit sharp for her. The step back up in trip today suited her,” Deegan explained. “She was in her comfort zone everywhere today.”
Another Punchestown Festival winner from 2023, was successful in the opening Wexford Mares Beginners Chase, with Broomfield Bijou comfortably dismissing her seven rivals in this two-mile heat.
Starting off over the larger obstacles, the Philip Dempsey-trained six-year-old was returned the 11/8 favourite (from 3s) and led from the second under Keith Donoghue. Jumping well, the Raymond Fitzgerald-owned bay was pushed along before two out but soon had matters under control, with six lengths between her and runner-up Costanuci. “She had a look today and will be sharper next time. She is very good to jump and is one to look forward to,” Dempsey enthused.“There is a novice chase in Listowel and I’d say she will go for that next.”