Tag Archive for: Fairyhouse

Max powers home for Mullins and Townend in Irish National

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I Am Maximus lunged late to claim victory in the BoyleSports Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse.

The seven-year-old was an 8-1 chance in the three-mile-five-furlong feature for the all-conquering Willie Mullins and Paul Townend.

Ridden patiently in among the field of 27, the JP McManus-owned gelding looked set to finish out of the placings – but came to the fore as contenders dropped away and he was ridden to get into contention over the penultimate fence.

Over the last he jumped his way into third place and then battled past long-time leader Defi Bleu and Gevrey to prevail by a length.

Townend said: “It was looking unlikely for a long way. I just tried to get him back popping.

“He was too slow jumping down the inside. I wanted to keep horses outside of me but it cut me out of the race so I had to let him go left and bank on one at the last.

“You never write off one of Willie’s, but it was certainly a lot harder work than it normally is riding for him!

“This is a very special race. It’s huge to win this. You need so much luck. I finished second here a few years back (on Away We Go in 2013) and my record besides that wasn’t great.

“I thought Gaillard Du Mesnil was my best chance in it last year and he ran well to finish third. I’m very fortunate that this lad popped up and that it worked out in the end.”

David Casey, assistant to to Mullins, added: “It was absolutely unbelievable. I don’t have the words, I thought it was absolutely brilliant.

“We know how good a rider Paul is anyway, I didn’t think he could better Galopin Des Champs from Cheltenham but I thought that was amazing.

“He wasn’t travelling, he didn’t seem to be enjoying it down the inside in the crowd. Paul just kept persevering, kept galvanising and kept saving and kept him jumping.

“He has his quirks and I thought it was an unbelievable ride.

“He does idle a little bit when he gets to the front and he does jump a little bit left. Paul was brilliant and the horse obviously had the ability to go and do it as well.”

Monkfish delights in comeback second to Asterion Forlonge

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Asterion Forlonge denied Monkfish a dream return to action when winning the Rathbarry & Glenview Studs Hurdle at Fairyhouse.

The enigmatic winner was running over hurdles for the second time since pausing a chasing career that brought about mixed fortunes with some good performances but also several falls.

Monkfish, also trained by Willie Mullins, had been absent from the track for nearly two years due to injury but was a very highly regarded novice chaser prior to that.

Asterion Forlonge was the 11-8 favourite under Paul Townend as Monkfish went off at 11-4 and was ridden at the rear of the field by Danny Mullins.

Monkfish gave chase after the last fence and was closing as the line approached, but could not pass Asterion Forlonge and missed out by half a length.

Asterion Forlonge ridden by Paul Townend (left) win the Rathbarry and Glenview Studs Hurdle at Fairyhouse
Asterion Forlonge ridden by Paul Townend (left) win the Rathbarry and Glenview Studs Hurdle at Fairyhouse (Healy Racing/PA)

David Casey, Mullins’ assistant, said of the grey victor: “We’re delighted with him, he improved plenty for his run in Thurles and I think he’ll improve plenty from today as well.

“He did everything right, he’s had his issues and we’re delighted to get his head back in front today.

“He’s in the Stayers’ Hurdle at Punchestown and the plan at the moment is to keep him over hurdles for the time being. All going well I’d imagine he’ll go there.”

On Monkfish he added: “We’re thrilled with him. He had plenty of build-up work done, but he’ll improve again for it. Hopefully he’ll be sound enough to go to Punchestown as well, he’s in the same race.

“The idea is to keep him over hurdles for the end of the season and then maybe go back chasing next year. Hopefully he’ll come out of it well and we’re absolutely thrilled with the way he ran.”

Janidil fell with the race all but won in the Grade Two McInerney Properties Fairyhouse Chase.

Easy Game winning the McInerney Properties Fairyhouse Steeplechase
Easy Game winning the McInerney Properties Fairyhouse Steeplechase (Healy Racing/PA)

The 8-11 favourite for Mullins and Mark Walsh, the bay looked set to put a slightly disappointing Ryanair run behind him when galloping clear a long way from home.

Only stablemate Easy Game was in touch with him over the final fence, where he crumpled on landing and gifted the race to Townend’s mount – who had won the contest twice previously.

“Obviously we’re just fortunate we had one coming behind when Janidil took an unfortunate fall,” said Casey.

“It’s great for Easy Game to win the race for a third time. Obviously he had a little bit of luck on his side, but that’s what you need sometimes.

“He’s wonderful, I thought the ground would probably have gone a little bit soft for him today as he does like better ground. He was just there to pick up the pieces.”

On Janidil he added: “He looks fine, he looked like he jumped it well but just didn’t get out the landing gear or slipped on landing.

“Mark had given him a great ride and it looked like he was going to go and win the race so it’s very unfortunate for him and connections.”

Dream moment for McNamara at Fairyhouse

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Andrew McNamara’s Enjoy The Dream was a tough winner of the Donohue Marquees Juvenile Hurdle under Darragh O’Keeffe at Fairyhouse.

At 33-1 only one rival started at a bigger price in the Grade Two contest, but the grey jumped the last behind 8-11 favourite Blood Destiny and then battled him all the way up the home straight to prevail by three lengths on only her second start for new connections.

“We were running her hoping she might run into third or fourth,” said McNamara of the German-bred.

“After the third-last I thought she was going to run a lovely race and when she straightened up I thought ‘we’re in with a big shout now’.

Darragh O’Keeffe and Andrew McNamara after Enjoy The Dream won the Donohue Marquees Juvenile Hurdle at Fairyhouse
Darragh O’Keeffe and Andrew McNamara after Enjoy The Dream won the Donohue Marquees Juvenile Hurdle at Fairyhouse (Healy Racing)

“She only had the one run over hurdles and I thought if we’re going to lose our novice status at this time of year we may as well make it well worthwhile.

“That’s the first race she’s really had so we’ll definitely go to Punchestown, I’ll have a chat with the Dr but I’d say we’ll most likely go there.

“I’d imagine we’ll even keep going after that. I think she has a rating around 90 on the Flat and she could also have the option of going to France for the summer.

“It’s all black type and she has a residual value, but we won’t be going there for a while. She’s a big girl and will jump fences as well.”

Brighterdaysahead registers ‘bittersweet’ success for Gordon Elliott

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Gordon Elliott described Brighterdaysahead’s success in the closing bumper at Fairyhouse as “bittersweet” after the loss of star novice chaser Mighty Potter earlier on the card.

Four-time Grade One winner Mighty Potter was sent off the 6-5 favourite for the WilllowWarm Gold Cup Chase but sustained a fatal injury when falling at the 10th fence in the Grade One heat.

Brighterdaysahead is a half-sister to Mighty Potter and she proved a fitting winner of the Tattersalls Ireland George Mernagh Memorial Sales Bumper for the Cullentra House team, triumphing as the 5-4 favourite in the hands of Harry Swan.

A winner at Gowran previously, she quickened up impressively to win by four lengths.

Elliott said: “That’s the game we’re in, you’ve got to keep your head up and keep going.

“We won the last race in Cork and the last race here and she’s a half-sister to Mighty Potter.

“We’ll keep the head up and keep going. It’s heartbreaking to lose a horse like him, but we won’t lie down and we’ll try to find the next one.

“I have good owners behind me and good staff. It’s hard for Andy and Gemma Brown (of Mighty Potter’s owner Caldwell Construction) but they are a big part of Cullentra and we’ll get behind them and find another one.

“Everyone is very upset but on a brighter note this is a good mare. It’s bittersweet. That’ll be her for the season now.”

Mullins chalks up extraordinary Easter Sunday eight-timer

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Willie Mullins enjoyed an Easter Sunday to remember as a remarkable across-the-card eight-timer saw him break his own record for number of winners in a National Hunt season.

The all-conquering champion trainer’s previous best tally of 212 was achieved in the 2017/18 campaign and having reached the double century at the end of March, it has been obvious for some time that he would go past that number before the current season ends at Punchestown later this month.

Mullins began Easter Sunday with 205 winners under his belt and several chances across the two Irish meetings at Cork and Fairyhouse.

The Closutton handler ended up saddling a treble at Cork, with Bachasson’s (6-4) front-running success in the Grade Three feature preceded by victories for the Rich and Susannah Ricci-owned pair of Mister Policeman (evens) and Aione (4-1), both ridden by Michael O’Sullivan.

At Fairyhouse he claimed five winners, with Ashroe Diamond (2-1) and Flame Bearer (17-2) striking Grade One gold, Nick Rockett (9-1) and Hercule Du Seuil (7-1) both winning Grade Twos and Cheltenham Festival runner-up Dinoblue (evens) going one better as one of three winners on the afternoon for jockey Mark Walsh.

Nick Rockett continued his steep upward trajectory with victory in the Paddy Kehoe Suspended Ceilings Novice Hurdle under the trainer’s nephew Danny Mullins.

Previously successful in a Thurles bumper and a maiden hurdle at Naas, the six-year-old proved up to the rise in class as he pulled 15 lengths clear of his rivals.

Mullins’ assistant, David Casey, said: “We thought he had improved a bit from Naas, we weren’t sure going there what to expect as he was a horse that was always going to improve with time.

Nick Rockett after winning at Fairyhouse
Nick Rockett after winning at Fairyhouse (Gary Carson/PA)

“Danny said he improved a lot more than he thought he would and he put up a very good performance. He travelled super and jumped great.

“We always had him down as a horse for the future for jumping fences. I think the best is ahead of him.”

Hercule Du Seuil raced keenly throughout the Cafe En Seine Novice Hurdle, but it is testament to his latent ability that he still had enough in the tank at the finish to see off his stablemate and 6-5 favourite Hunters Yarn by a length and three-quarters in the hands of Walsh.

Casey added: “It was a good performance. I thought he’d gone fast enough and it looked like they might swallow him up turning in, but Mark said he got a good breather into him between the fourth and third last and he toughed it out well.

“He wants nicer ground and we gave him a break over the winter. He’s not in any of the graded races at Punchestown and the plan is to go chasing.”

Walsh, who had earlier steered Tony Martin’s Golf Marin to a maiden hurdle win, completed his treble for owner JP McManus aboard Dinoblue in the BoyleSports Novice Handicap Chase.

Second in her previous three races, including in the Grand Annual last month, the six-year-old had a fight on her hands when the final fence fall of Whiskeywealth left her in the clear.

“Mark said he thought he was probably a fraction lucky, but either way, even if she had been second I thought it was a very good performance coming back from a tough run in Cheltenham,” said Casey.

“She jumped super and you need a bit of luck. There is an open handicap at Punchestown and she’ll get an entry in it, we’ll see what happens.”

French Dynamite hunting Grade Two honours for Morris

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French Dynamite bids to cap a fine season with victory in Monday’s McInerney Properties Fairyhouse Chase at Fairyhouse.

Mouse Morris’ eight-year-old started the campaign with a win over hurdles at Thurles, but has since proven a consistent performer over the larger obstacles.

Runner-up in the Paddy Power Gold Cup in November, he ran well for a long way when fifth in the Savills Chase over the Christmas period before finishing second to Fakir D’oudairies when returned to an intermediate trip in Thurles’ Horse & Jockey Hotel Chase.

He was last seen again running with real credit to finish fourth in the Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham Festival and his handler would love to see conditions dry out ahead of his Easter Monday assignment.

Mouse Morris with Mark Walsh
Mouse Morris with Mark Walsh (PA)

“He will need the ground to dry up because it is very tacky up there at the minute,” said Morris.

“I’m hoping it will and he seems none the worse for Cheltenham. He ran a good race in the Ryanair, the ground was a bit tight and it will depend on the ground again. If it dries up he will have a chance, but it’s a bit testing there at the minute, which wouldn’t be up his street.

“He’s run some great races and is very consistent and long may it last. It will be nice to win a graded race.”

Willie Mullins is responsible for three of the six runners that go to post in the Grade Two event and Easy Game appears the Closutton first string following victories over Kemboy at both Listowel and Gowran in the autumn.

The mount of Paul Townend has won 11 times over the larger obstacles and as well as looking to extend his current winning streak, is searching for a third-straight victory in this two-and-a-half-mile contest.

Easy Game looks for his third straight Easter victory at Fairyhouse
Easy Game looks for his third straight Easter victory at Fairyhouse (Niall Carson/PA)

Royal Rendezvous and Janidil are the others lining up for the Irish champion trainer, with the latter looking to return to the form that saw him score at Gowran in February following a below-par showing at the Cheltenham Festival.

“He didn’t jump great at Cheltenham,” said Frank Berry, racing manager for Janidil’s owner JP McManus.

“He was a bit disappointing there and his jumping let him down, but Willie thinks he has him back in good form and we’re hoping for the best.”

The green and gold of McManus appears to have solid representation in the Donohue Marquees Juvenile Hurdle, where again Mullins holds all the aces at the top of the market.

Blood Destiny was underwhelming when sent off 3-1 for the Triumph Hurdle, but returns to the scene of his prior 18-length romp attempting to get back on track, while stablemate Gust Of Wind ran with real credit in that Festival contest to finish fourth and is an improving juvenile.

Blood Destiny ridden by jockey Patrick Mullins (second right, red silks) in action as they compete in the JCB Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival
Blood Destiny ridden by jockey Patrick Mullins (second right, red silks) in action as they compete in the JCB Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival (David Davies for The Jockey Club)

McManus’ hopes, however, are pinned to Tekao – who was sent off the 3-1 favourite for the Fred Winter at Prestbury Park and before that finished third in a Dublin Racing Festival Grade One behind stablemates Gala Marceau and Lossiemouth.

“He didn’t behave himself particularly well before the race at Cheltenham and got lit up down at the start,” added Berry.

“He only jumped OK and was a bit disappointing, so we’re on a recovery mission and we’ll see how we go. You would hope he will run well, but he has to come back from a disappointing run.”

The leading owner is also represented by Padraig Roach’s Cougar – a Deep Impact colt who is two from three over obstacles.

Jockey Mark Walsh in the winners enclosure with trainer Padraig Roche and Frank Berry after winning the Value Cabs 3-Y-O Hurdle on Cougar during day two of the Ladbrokes Festival of Racing at Down Royal Racecourse (PA)
Jockey Mark Walsh in the winners enclosure with trainer Padraig Roche and Frank Berry after winning the Value Cabs 3-Y-O Hurdle on Cougar during day two of the Ladbrokes Festival of Racing at Down Royal Racecourse (PA)

“He jumped very well early on and probably got a few soft touches, but for whatever reason he didn’t perform very well at Leopardstown,” said Berry. “He’s after having a nice break, so we’re hoping he will run well.”

Dual Cheltenham Festival winner Monkfish looks to defy a 713-day absence when he makes his eagerly-awaited return in the Rathbarry & Glenview Studs Hurdle.

He forms one half of a formidable hand for Mullins in the Grade Two contest, with the master of Closutton also saddling Asterion Forlonge, who will bid to go one better than his Thurles second on reappearance.

Fil Dor (Gordon Elliott), Beacon Edge (Noel Meade) and HMS Seahorse (Paul Nolan) all disappointed in the Coral Cup when last sighted but attempt to bounce back here, while Paddy Corkery’s Master McShee completes the sextet taking part.

Flame Bearer digs deep for Fairyhouse Gold

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Flame Bearer clung on grimly to lead home a Willie Mullins whitewash in a WilllowWarm Gold Cup marred by the fatal fall of Mighty Potter.

Eight runners went to post for the two-and-a-half-mile Grade One, with the champion trainer saddling six in his bid for a fifth successive victory in a race which has his two Cheltenham Gold Cup heroes Al Boum Photo (2018) and Galopin Des Champs (2022) on its roll of honour.

The turning point came in the back straight, with Gordon Elliott’s 6-5 favourite and four-time Grade One winner Mighty Potter suffering a heavy fall, impeding Gavin Cromwell’s outsider Brides Hill, who was ultimately pulled up.

From there on it was just a question of which Mullins runner would claim top honours and while he was weary on the run-in after leading from flag-fall, Flame Bearer and Sean O’Keeffe had just enough in the tank to hold on by half a length from Sir Gerhard and Patrick Mullins.

Appreciate It was best of the rest in third, with James Du Berlais, Authorized Art and Adamantly Chosen the other finishers.

Of the winner, Mullins’ assistant David Casey said: “He’s a decent horse but he probably wouldn’t have been my first choice.

“I thought what he did in Thurles the last day was very good. He bucked out, jumped well, went a gallop and kept at it. If you have those novices jumping well in front, it’s a huge help.

“Sean went at it, went a good gallop and he jumped great. He got into a lovely rhythm and he did it well.”

When it was put to him that he could be a Ryanair Chase horse for next year, Casey added: “Hopefully, why not, we’ll aim for the stars. That’s the route you’d have to be looking anyway.”

Conditions crucial to Thedevilscoachman’s Irish National claims

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Noel Meade feels soft ground is key to the chances of ante-post favourite Thedevilscoachman in the BoyleSports Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse.

The JP McManus-owned seven-year-old has won three of his six starts over fences to date, supplementing four victories from six outings over hurdles.

His only defeat in four chase appearances so far this season came in December’s Drinmore Novice Chase at Fairyhouse when falling at the final fence, since when he has registered back-to-back Grade Three victories at Naas and Limerick.

He carries a 2lb penalty for the latter success a fortnight ago and Meade is hopeful he can make his presence felt if conditions are suitable and he can overcome a perceived lack of experience.

“Everything is good at the moment, we’re just hoping the ground doesn’t dry up too much,” he said.

“Everything has gone good since he won in Limerick. He’s still only a novice and he has to overcome that. He hasn’t had that many runs over fences, but we’re hopeful.

“He certainly stays three miles well. You don’t really know about three-mile-five until you have a go so we’ll see, but hopefully he will stay.”

Thedevilscoachman is one of three runners for Meade, who won the 2002 Irish Grand National with The Bunny Boiler.

Lieutenant Command and Farceur Du Large are both outsiders for Gigginstown House Stud, but Meade believes it would be dangerous to dismiss them, adding: “They’re definitely not out of it.

Trainer Noel Meade will saddle three runners in the Irish Grand National
Trainer Noel Meade will saddle three runners in the Irish Grand National (Niall Carson/PA)

“Lieutenant Command wants good ground and the better the ground, the better the chance he’ll have. Again the trip is a bit of an unknown with him, but he’s a fine horse and if we get good ground he’ll certainly give a good account of himself.

“Farceur Du Large was running a good race in the Paddy Power Chase in Leopardstown over Christmas and then made a mistake which put him out of it.

“He unshipped Bryan (Cooper) at the first the last day and it’s hard to get that of your head, but he’s still a horse who could run well if things go his way.”

Sam Curling’s Angels Dawn and the Gavin Cromwell-trained Stumptown renew rivalry after being separated by only a neck when first and second in the Kim Muir at last month’s Cheltenham Festival.

Angels Dawn leads Stumptown at the final fence at Cheltenham
Angels Dawn leads Stumptown at the final fence at Cheltenham (David Davies/PA)

Curling said: “She came out of Cheltenham well and we’ve been happy with her since, so all is good.

“They’re giving a bit of rain tonight, so you’d hope the ground will be soft and there’s plenty in our favour hopefully.

“For a small yard like ours, it’s great to have a runner in an Irish Grand National with a chance and we’re looking forward to it.”

The powerhouse stables of Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott are well represented, with Mullins saddling I Am Maximus, Tenzing and Dolcita, while Chemical Energy and The Goffer are two of eight for Elliott.

I Am Maximus finished fourth in the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase at Cheltenham and he was subsequently bought by JP McManus, whose racing manager Frank Berry said: “He ran well at Cheltenham. He’s still a maiden (over fences) but it’s a good race for novices and Willie is very happy with him. We’re hoping to see a good run in what is a very competitive race.”

Other leading hopes include Martin Brassil’s Panda Boy, Henry de Bromhead’s Amirite and Barry Connell’s Espanito Bello, while Joseph O’Brien has a couple of chances in Fire Attack and Busselton.

He said: “Fire Attack would love soft ground whereas Busselton is seen to best effect on slightly better ground, but he’s been a very consistent horse.

“Fire Attack has had a couple of falls. He’s actually a good jumper, but he’s made a couple of silly mistakes and fell in the Kerry National.

“He’s been a little bit unlucky, but he’s threatened to win a big race and I think he will when things fall his way.”

Diamond sparkles with Grade One verdict at Fairyhouse

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Ashroe Diamond gained compensation for missing out on an appearance at the Cheltenham Festival with a dominant victory in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Honeysuckle Mares Novice Hurdle at Fairyhouse.

Placed behind the top-class pair of Marine Nationale and Facile Vega in successive Grade Ones earlier in the season, the six-year-old went on to claim a Grade Three prize at Fairyhouse in January, ensuring she headed to the Cotswolds as a major contender for the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle – only to be ruled out on the morning of declarations.

Taking on several of those who did line up at Cheltenham, Ashroe Diamond was the 2-1 favourite to provide Willie Mullins with a sixth victory in the last 10 runnings of this Grade One contest and ultimately got the job done emphatically under an ice-cool ride from Paul Townend.

In a race run at a strong gallop from flag-fall, the market leader was buried in midfield for much of the two-and-a-half-mile journey.

As the pacesetting Harmonya Maker faltered, 66-1 shot Whatcouldhavebeen made an eyecatching move to grab the lead and quickly took several lengths out of the field in a bid to cause a shock.

Townend, though, did not panic and Ashroe Diamond made up the ground comfortably between the final two flights, reeling in the leader and pulling five lengths clear on the run-in.

Willie Mullins claimed another Grade One prize with Ashroe Diamond
Willie Mullins claimed another Grade One prize with Ashroe Diamond (Tim Goode/PA)

Mullins’ assistant, David Casey, said: “She was very good, Paul said she did everything right.

“She got a bit keen, but she travelled like a dream and jumped brilliant. She did it very easy.

“Who knows what would have happened at Cheltenham, but it’s great to win today – it’s very important for the mares.

“Hopefully she’ll go forward next year. She got a nasty cut behind there and I’d say she’ll need a couple of stitches.”

Risk Belle rewards favourite-backers – but only after anxious wait

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Risk Belle justified favouritism in the €100,000 RYBO Handicap Hurdle at Fairyhouse but needed the assistance of the stewards to claim victory.

It was Sean Doyle’s Monbeg Park who was first past the past, coming home half a length clear of the Willie Mullins-trained 7-2 market leader.

However, with half a furlong to run the two got close together and at one point Risk Belle was knocked off her stride.

Brian Lawless, on Monbeg Park, tried his hardest to keep his mount off Risk Belle, but he continued to lug right and the decision perhaps came as no surprise.

Risk Belle had jumped the last upsides in the Boodles at Cheltenham before being beaten a neck into third by Jazzy Matty, who finished down the field in this.

It capped a fine day for owner JP McManus, who was on hand to welcome back three winners, with Tony Martin’s Gain De Cause (15-8) winning the Fred Kenny Lifetime Services To Racing Ladies National Handicap Chase and Canal End (9-4) the opening Tom Quinlan Electrical Maiden Hurdle.

Canal End was a victory on his return to action for Mark Walsh, who having also been on Risk Belle will have been pleased with a double on his first day out since Cheltenham.

“She got good experience in Cheltenham and you would have called her a winner jumping the last and just got run out of it up the hill. She had a lovely light weight today,” said Walsh of Risk Belle

“She got a good run through the race and it all went to plan bar the interference after the last. Hopefully she can keep improving.”

Frank Berry, McManus’ racing manager, said: “She got a couple of bumps. It’s never a nice way to win and also a horrible way to lose, but she ran a blinder.

“She got a bad fall in Leopardstown and was a bit unlucky in the Boodles so it’s nice for her to get that. She jumped great today and if she comes out of this well there is every chance she will go on to Punchestown.”

Mullins was also on the mark with Annamix (18-1) and Instit (15-2), with both beating better-fancied stablemates.