Guinness Faugheen Novice Chase (Group 1)

JORDAN Gainford, hero of the hour aboard Hewick in the American Grand National, rode his first Grade 1 winner on home soil when Gerri Colombe, from the Gordon Elliott stable, made it six wins from six in the Guinness Faugheen Novice Chase at Limerick on St Stephen’s Day.

Owned by Robcour, the outcome was never in doubt for the 4/5 favourite who turned in a superb round of jumping on his second start over fences to draw four and a quarter lengths clear of Adamantly Chosen at the line.

His jockey was quick to thank Jack Kennedy for advising him on the best way to ride the French-bred and said: “His jumping was brilliant and, for a novice to do what he did, he was very good. Obviously he loves soft ground and he had that today.”

Unbelievable

Elliott’s representative Ian Amond was equally impressed, commenting: “Jordan said it was unbelievable the way he jumped and, away from the last he quickened up again.

“He’s a right horse going forward and, now that he has his Grade 1, he’ll have no bother stepping up to three miles.”

Rob Acheson, son of Robcour’s founder Brian, was also thrilled with the outcome and said: “It’s just brilliant to see him go and do it and, the more the rain came, we became quietly confident. We’ll play it by ear going forward because he’s a better horse on softer ground.”

The same trainer and jockey had earlier doubled up via the Aidan Ryan-owned 11/4 favourite Ludus who kept on well in the closing stages of the CJ Sheeran 3-Y-O Maiden Hurdle to repel the challenge of Paradise Lost by two and a quarter lengths.

Ian Amond reflected: “It was a good start and he’s improving away with his runs. Jordan said there was no pace on and he had them all stacked up turning in.

“There will be plenty of improvement in him as Jordan said he was green enough out in front. You’d hope he could step up in grade now.”

Robcour also struck at the double with Henry de Bromhead’s all-the-way winner Foxy Girl who defeated the warm favourite In Excess readily by four lengths in the Signplus 4-Y-O Maiden Hurdle to get off the mark over timber at the third time of asking.

Successful 7lb claiming Mike O’Connor reported: “I watched her run at Auteuil yesterday before she came to Henry’s and she handled soft ground that day.

“It’s early days yet but she was quick and efficient over her hurdles today. She has good placed form and seems a nice mare.”

LONGHOUSE Poet, pulled up on his reappearance over hurdles at Punchestown in November, has the Grand National as his main target once again and took a step in that direction when outstaying Bois De Clamart by a length in the O’Kelly Brothers Demolition Hurdle.

Ricky Doyle’s mount, trained by Martin Brassil for his joint owners Sean and Bernadine Mulryan, finished sixth in the Aintree showpiece in April and their racing manager Paddy Aspell remarked: “He’s always been a good horse for us and had such a good run in the National last season, we have to try again.”

Catered

Mares were well catered for on the opening day of the Christmas fixture with two races and the Eoin McCarthy-trained Missiee recovered her momentum from a final flight blunder to take the two-and-a-half-mile Mr Binman Mares Handicap Hurdle by two lengths under Gary Noonan.

McCarthy opted to travel to Leopardstown instead where Well Funded ran in the novice handicap hurdle which meant he had to forego the pleasure of seeing the 25/1 shot’s lightly weighted stablemate Missiee prevail.

However, mare’s owner John Costello and her Newcastlewest breeder Kenneth Mortell were on hand to see the Dylan Thomas six-year-old’s success. Costello dedicated the win to his good friend Peter Tonery who was with him on the day he purchased Missiee at the sales, but has since died following a short illness.

Mortell concluded: “She’s a tough mare and she likes winter ground.”

Bold Reflection, with Alex Harvey in the saddle, continued Co. Meath handler John McConnell’s good run of success with her runaway seven-length defeat of market leader Coole Cherry in the two-mile Aqua Process Solutions Mares Flat Race.

The 13/2 winner races in the colours of Caroline Ahearn and was an expensive purchase out of Warren Ewing’s yard after two good placed efforts between the flags.

On Reflection’s rider only recently returned from injury after breaking his ankle in a race riding fall in America while based with Kerri Brion for the summer and this was his second winner.

Said Harvey: “She had good point-to-point form and her homework had been good, so we were hopeful of a good run. She’s a big strapping mare who would probably appreciate better ground and stepping up in trip. She’ll jump a fence in time and is an exciting prospect.”

GOOLDS Cross trainer Sam Curling admitted to being slightly surprised by the well-supported favourite Bonnie Kellie’s decisive seven-length win over Cahirdown Boy in the BRC McMahon Reinforcements Handicap Chase.

Jockey Philip Enright always pays to follow at this venue and he had the leg up on the Ballyclogher Partnership’s Shantou mare who jumped into the lead at the penultimate obstacle on her way to becoming the easiest winner of the day for the friends and father Dan of Dillon Quirke who tragically died while hurling for his club Clonoulty Rossmore at Semple Stadium back in August.

Curling reflected: “She deserved it and jumped super. I thought all along she wanted better ground but, obviously, she doesn’t and I’m delighted for the lads who are all local to me.”