Racing got underway at Downpatrick on Sunday with a local success.
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Children’s List leads to win the Toal’s Hurdle.[/caption]
The result was a reversal for favourite backers when 1/3 shot Listen Dear was beaten by the locally trained ItsHardToNo in a driving finish. The Willie Mullins-trained favourite attempted her front running tactics which supplied victory at the course previously and for most of the race appeared likely to succeed writes Joe Kavanagh.
However, Noel Mc Parlan, Champion Ulster point-to-point rider on the winner trained and owned by his father Sean, was not to be denied delivering a resolute challenge after the final flight. The Cabra-based trainer said: “It’s nice to get the win as he goes to the sales at Fairyhouse on Tuesday. He’s a consistent sort. He had problems early on with ulcers but we got that sorted. He has a bit of pace and is better delivered with one run late.”
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Lauren Toal present a prize to Patrick Mullins, son of winning trainer Willie Mullins after Children’s List won the Toal’s Bookmakers Hurdle.[/caption]
Irish Champion trainer Willie Mullins and former Champion jumps jockey, Paul Townend despite the reversal in the opener, were quickly on the score board when Childrens List which had ran second for most of the race joined the leader Silver Tassie two from home prior to an easy victory. Patrick Mullins representing his father said: ” I thought Paul was excellent on him today. He might prefer going the other direction but he won. We’ll probable stick to country tracks with him meantime. He’s paying his way.”
County Dublin trainer Peter Cluskey supplied the winner of the handicap hurdle with Ciankyle with Mark Bolger aboard while runner-up Carlyann made a bad blunder at the last when challenging.. The winning trainer said: ” I’ll keep him going and maybe over a bit further. He’ a great jumper. Mark didn’t want to hit the front too soon.”
Jockey Mark Bolger added: ” He put it all together today and there should be a bit more improvement to come.”
County Meath trainer, Gordon Elliott brought his tally at Downpatrick this year to twelve after Rosie Revenue in the hands of talented claiming rider Luke Dempsey landed the Mares Handicap Hurdle. The winning rider said: ” She did it well. She gets lazy in front, but always had plenty left.”
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Westerner Lady ridden by Paul Townend on the inside leads Ultimate Horseman with Jack Kenneddy over the last.[/caption]
The big two in the market dominated the long distance maiden hurdle with Westerner Lady representing the Mullins/Townend combination prevailing when relegating the Elliott trained Ultimate Horseman to runner-up for his last five starts. The pair went well clear of rivals in the final mile and Patrick Mullins said: ” Paul was very good on her – it’s great to have his services when Ruby Walsh isn’t available.
“She wants good ground and is very tough… stamina is her forte.” Ruby Walsh was in Australia on Sunday having won the Australian Grand National on Bashboy – the local horse was winning the National for the third successive year and Walsh’s services were sought when regular rider, Steve Pateman was suspended prior to the big race.
Sligo handler Mark McNiff maintained his excellent record at the venue when Mr Mulliner with Derek Fox aboard followed up success at Sligo last time in the handicap hurdle for connections when coming from last to first in the closing stages.
The winning trainer said: ” We will probably come back here for the next meeting. A few of mine have run indifferent in recent days otherwise I would have been very confident.”
Present Flower trained by Paul Cashman with Patrick Casey in the saddle proved the conclusive twelve length winner of the concluding bumper.
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