Ruby takes the opener

Ruby takes the opener

23 October 2013

TORRENTIAL rain throughout Friday made conditions tough for horse, jockey and spectator alike as Downpatrick staged its penultimate meeting of the year on a grey, but surprisingly mild October afternoon.

Ruby Walsh took the opening race on the card when partnering French import Renneti, his only ride of the day, to a convincing success in the maiden hurdle for trainer Willie Mullins.

The 2/9 favourite has been a winner twice on the flat when trained in France and put in a decent round on the way to an effortless 13 lengths success from Sue and Isi in the hands of Niall Madden for trainer Noel Meade.

“He’s been working with Arctic Fire at home and hopefully will improve. He got a bit close to the second last, but I’ve no worries about his jumping,” said Walsh after dismounting.

Old Kilcash got back to winning ways in the second of the maiden hurdle races with an all the way success for Carlow trainer ‘Shark’ Hanlon.

Danny Mullins was happy to cut out the running on the well backed 6/4 favourite and made a decisive move for home after jumping the third last flight to race clear and win in good style by a wide-margin 24 lengths.

“The fall at Ballinrobe left its mark on him. I feel he’s a good horse who will have his day over fences, but he’ll stay over hurdles for this season,” said Hanlon.

Wexford trainer Noel Dooly saddled his first national hunt winner since taking out his licence again when 5/1 joint favourite Hello Louie took the plaudits in the handicap hurdle under John Cullen.

The pair jumped into contention at the last and quickly asserted up the hill to win by eight and a half lengths from Josh Byrne on 12/1 chance Afram Blue with Derryarkin close behind in third for Gordon Elliott.

Gigginstown Stud inmate, Ipsos Du Berlais, made his seasonal reappearance a winning one for favourite backers when taking the beginners’ chase for trainer Noel Meade.

Davy Russell took the ride on the talented but enigmatic son of Poliglote and his forceful riding on the 7/4 favourite certainly helped in the cause of victory as his mount just had enough reserves in the tank to hold off the challenge of Conor Maxwell and Ocean Bright by a fast diminishing neck.

“This will have done his confidence a bit of good.

“He’s not the fastest, but loves that ground and Davy made a big difference on him today,” said successful trainer Noel Meade.

Meade was back in the winner’s enclosure following the next race when the strapping 5/2 chance Pat Garrett, a costly one to follow in recent weeks, finally got his act together to win the handicap chase in the hands of Davy Condon.

Sizing Solution looked likely to give Davy Russell his second win of the day when landing four lengths in front at the final fence in the second of the beginners’ chases, but Jim Dreaper’s runner emptied in front of the stands allowing Adrian Heskin to pounce on 8/1 Cork raider More Madness to win by a head for Terence O’Brien.

Cheap As Chips (20/1) caught the eye with a fast finishing close up third for Philip Rothwell and jockey Andrew Ring and might be one to watch out for in the near future.

Winning trainer O’Brien was brought back down to earth on Sunday when stable star, Farrells Fancy, took a fatal fall at the second last fence when in contention in the Kinsale Chase.

The final race of the day saw another Cork raider visit the winners’ enclosure when Smiler recorded an easy win in the bumper for owner, trainer, and jockey Mikey O’Connor.

The 9/2 chance held a commanding lead throughout the race and as his rivals toiled in behind O’Connor held all the aces at the head of the field to saunter home by an impressive 16 lengths.

“He’s a very good horse if he can be kept right and will go over hurdles now,” said O’Connor upon dismounting.