DARASSO was the star of the show at Thurles on Thursday when J.P. McManus’ nine-year-old notched a 12th win, scoring under a patient Mark Walsh ride in the Equuip From Foal to RACE TY Chase.

The well-backed 11/10 favourite made an early mistake and was soon off the pace in the two mile and six furlong, five-runner race, which was headed by leader Cilaos Emery and chasing Escaria Ten. Jockey Walsh gradually moved Darasso into contention in the final half-mile and picked up the lead on the run-in, to defeat Escaria Ten by two lengths.

McManus’ racing manger Frank Berry said: “It was a lovely performance and he has been a great horse who turns up every day. The race was coming quick enough for him after Clonmel and Mark said they went a right good gallop and he picked up well. It was tight enough around here for him. It took a while to warm up into it and he was going as fast as he wanted to be going, so Mark had to be patient on him. He gave him a great ride.

“If you had a yard full of him you’d be flying and Joseph (O’Brien, winning trainer) has done a great job with him. We’ll tip away in similar races and the bit of good ground is a help to him as well.”

Nose defeat

McManus had won the half-hour earlier thurlesraces.ie Handicap Chase with Filon D’oudairies, which gained compensation for last week’s nose defeat at today’s venue, scoring comfortably for trainer Shane Broderick and jockey Charlie O’Dwyer. Broderick said: “It is great to get the win after being second twice and I’ve now trained six winners for J.P. (McManus) and four have been here. It has been a lucky spot for me. It was my first time talking to Charlie today and he gave him a great ride. I know (his parents) Conor and Audrey well alright and Conor was a top class jockey.

“I want to thank J.P. for giving me this horse to train and to Frank (Berry) too. He is a nice horse, I think he’ll improve next year and I’ll talk to Frank and see what the plan is.”

The other chase on the card was the opening Richard Brennan Fencing Beginners Chase, which was won by fences-debutant Glengouly (100/30), for trainer Willie Mullins, jockey Paul Townend and the Roaringwater Syndicate. Townend made all on the French-bred gelding who eventually defeated Cheltenham Festival winning mare Telmesomethinggirl (4/6f) by almost four lengths.

Mullins later said: “It was Plan A to jump out and hope that he would jump as well as he has jumped at home. I think he can jump better than he did today but he got a good start and kept it up.

“I was a little apprehensive, the ground was so dry, but maybe it was more advantageous to us than the opposition. At Christmas you’d be looking at the Grade 1 at Limerick but I think we might look for an easier race.”

TRAINER Gordon Elliott and stable jockey Jack Kennedy combined to win the Racing On December 18th Irish EBF Maiden Hurdle with dual bumper winner Liberty Dance (5/6f, for owner Tim Driscoll), which put in a smart display to defeat French-import Foxy Girl by four and a half lengths. Elliott commented: “She is a nice mare, a galloper, and I’d say when she gets further she will be better. She is tough and it was a good performance. The further she goes, the better she’ll be and we’ll take it step-by-step with her.”

Popova upset

Trainer Henry de Bromhead was on the mark in the Killinan Maiden Hurdle with Popova, which caused a 20/1 upset under jockey Darragh O’Keeffe. Popova’s stablemate Aslukwoodhavit (8/1) finished eighth in the 15-runner race and afterwards de Bromhead said of the winner: “She probably hadn’t shown us that at home but had a very good run in a point-to-point for Paul Power.

“We were riding her to run well and it unfolded for her, so I’m delighted. She jumped great, Darragh gave her a super ride and I have nothing in mind for her at the moment. Ger Morrin, from Pier House Stud, recommended her, in fairness to him. I’m delighted for David (Maughan, from Dublin) who owns her and that’s his second winner with us.”

No Looking Back for Phillip Enright

THE maiden hurdle over two miles was won by the Oliver McKiernan-trained, Keep The Faith Bloodstock Limited’s No Looking Back (14/1), which won on jumps debut for jockey Phillip Enright.

The son of Kingston Hill quickened well in the home straight to beat 11/10 favourite Innatendue. Afterwards McKiernan said: “He won his bumper here the same way, when he came down the hill he showed a good turn of foot, was interested in what he was doing and went on and won.

“His jumping was pretty okay, I think he’ll be sharper the next day but I’m delighted with him. He is a grand horse and is a half-brother to (stablemate) Unexpected Depth. I’d say he’ll run at Christmas but I’m not sure if he likes heavy ground. Yielding or soft ground probably suits him.”

Big-priced winner

The concluding Horse & Jockey Handicap Hurdle provided another big-priced winner as Derridae caused a 50/1 shock to win for trainer Moses McCabe and jockey Jordan Gainford. Delighted McCabe said: “Jordan won in Limerick on her in February and gets on well with her. It was her first run for 263 days but she loves that ground and was working well so I was surprised with the price she was.

“We’ll go again for a similar race next, then go chasing and the softer the ground the better for her. It is a pity (owner) Michael Hanrahan isn’t here as he wasn’t feeling well so this will be a tonic. His horses are running well.”