Tag Archive for: Limerick

Bumper double takes Mullins over 200 Irish winners for the season

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Willie Mullins enjoyed a landmark afternoon as he registered an across-the-card bumper double at Limerick and Naas, bringing up his 200th winner of the season in Ireland in the process.

The horse to give the champion trainer the double century was Junta Marvel (85-40), who made a successful debut in the Storms The Stars @ Coolagown Stud Irish EBF Mares INH Flat Race at Limerick.

JP McManus-owned point-to-point victor Bioluminescence was the 5-4 favourite, but Junta Marvel saw her off by two and half lengths in the hands of Patrick Mullins.

“It was a good performance,” said the record-breaking amateur.

“She was a little keen early on but we got to pick a nice strip of ground. Being by Masked Marvel, she loved the ground and while we hoped to have her ready for a Listed bumper, she could still make the Grade Three mares’ bumper at Punchestown next month.

“That’s 200 wins for the yard this season, our best was 212 so hopefully we can beat that.

“We’ve had a brilliant season and it’s not over yet with Fairyhouse, Aintree and Punchestown ahead.”

It did not take long for the Mullins camp to make it 201, with Mirazur West justifying market confidence in the Nursery Of Champions INH Flat Race at Naas.

The Westerner gelding looked set to win a point-to-point at Dromahane in November when falling at the final fence under Derek O’Connor, who was again on board for his debut under rules.

Carrying the McManus silks, Mirazur West was all the rage as the 1-2 favourite, despite facing a point-to-point winner and £360,000 purchase in Henry de Bromhead’s Mahon’s Way, and made every yard of the running on his way to a two-and-a-half-length success.

He’s My Hero, who set his connections back £120,000 after finishing second in the point-to-point sphere, narrowly beat Mahon’s Way to the runner-up spot.

Thedevilscoachman advertises Irish National claims at Limerick

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Thedevilscoachman teed himself up for a possible tilt at the Irish Grand National with victory in the Way To Paris @ Coolagown Stud Hugh McMahon Memorial Novice Chase at Limerick.

The JP McManus-owned seven-year-old was bidding for a second successive Grade Three prize for trainer Noel Meade, having been awarded victory by the stewards at Naas in late January after a thrilling tussle with Ramillies.

Denis O’Regan took over in the saddle from the recently retired Bryan Cooper and after stalking recent Gowran Park scorer Grandero Bello into the home straight, 11-8 favourite Thedevilscoachman picked him off on the run-in before pulling two and a half lengths clear.

Paddy Power make the winner their 5-1 favourite from 8-1 for the BoyleSports Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse on Easter Monday, although the Fairyhouse Gold Cup Novice Chase the previous afternoon is a possible alternative.

The owner’s racing manager, Frank Berry, said: “That was grand and the ground was made for him. It was an ideal race and you couldn’t have it soft enough for him. You couldn’t have asked for better today.

“We’ll see what Noel thinks and how he comes out of the race but we’ll see about the Irish National as if he got really soft ground, it might be a different kettle of fish and he could run in the Fairyhouse Gold Cup.

“Denis let him warm up into it and the further he went, the better he jumped. You could only be happy with him.”

Berry also provided an update on McManus’ retained rider Mark Walsh, who has been out of action since suffering a crashing fall from Corbetts Cross at the Cheltenham Festival last week.

“Mark is in better form this week and hopefully will be back for Easter. It is quite slow but he is getting there,” Berry added.

Gordon Elliott at the Cheltenham Festival last week
Gordon Elliott at the Cheltenham Festival last week (Mike Egerton/PA)

Trainer Gordon Elliott enjoyed a double on the card, with the 13-8 success of Deeply Superficial in the Tote Mares Hurdle supplemented by victory for 4-6 favourite The Yellow Clay in the Listed bumper.

A winner on his debut at Leopardstown three weeks ago, the latter followed up with a two-and-a-half length verdict in the Kevin McManus Bookmaker Champion (Pro/Am) Flat Race under Jamie Codd.

“We thought going to Leopardstown that he could be quite a smart one for next year and he has backed that up today. I don’t know what’s in behind him but all you can do is win,” said Codd.

“I’ll speak with Gordon but he has now probably done enough for this year and we’ll treat him like a good horse for next year.

“Noel and Valerie (Moran, of owners Bective Stud) bred him so it makes it more important for them.”

Liam Burke proves age is no barrier to success in the saddle

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There was a remarkable ending to proceedings at Limerick on Sunday when 66-year-old Liam Burke rode the winner of the bumper.

Burke – who last tasted victory aboard Take Beating in June 1988 – partnered Teuchters Glory to victory in the Good Luck To All Irish Runners In Cheltenham (Pro/Am) INH Flat Race.

No stranger to big-race success having saddled Thyne Again to achieve Grade One glory as a trainer, Burke has also won the Thyestes Chase with My Murphy and Galway Plate with Sir Frederick as a handler.

However, it has been a long 34-year wait to add to his previous 17 victories under rules in the saddle.

Burke – who is the father of top professional rider Jonathan Burke and will now head to Cheltenham to support his son at the Festival – believes this will go down as one of his greatest achievements within racing.

He said: “That was mighty!

“I lost weight and it was a mad notion I took to come back. My knees gave me trouble all along but got both replaced, although it took me ages to get back right. I ride out four or five horses every day and was 66 last Monday.

“I previously rode 38 point to point winners and 17 on the racecourse and actually lost my 7lb and 5lb claims in the past, before the numbers went back up. My last point to point winners were in 1991. ”

He added: “He (Teuchters Glory) is a fair horse but has been hard to keep right. We decided to come back for a bumper as I wanted to keep him as a novice for next season.

“This is very high on my career achievements and is up there with winning the Galway Plate (as a trainer).

“Everyone thinks I’m mad, but you have to be mad to do this job! I’ll probably keep going.”

No Looking Back shocks favourite Brazil in Limerick match

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No Looking Back lowered the colours of Cheltenham Festival hero Brazil in a match race for the Coolmore NH Sires Kew Gardens Hurdle at Limerick.

With just the two runners declared, Padraig Roche’s Boodles winner Brazil was a 2-9 shot to strike Grade Two gold off the back of a Grade Three success in last month’s Fishery Lane Hurdle at Naas.

From the off Mark Walsh appeared keen to make the most of the hot favourite’s experience advantage, with Brazil already a veteran of 14 races compared to No Looking Back’s three outings.

Brazil remained in front halfway up the home straight, but 3-1 chance No Looking Back quickened smartly between the final flights to grab the lead and even an untidy leap at the last was not enough to stop him scoring a shade cosily by two and three-quarter lengths.

Oliver McKiernan’s charge was winning for the third time following previous bumper and maiden hurdle wins at Thurles, while the trainer and jockey Phillip Enright were completing a quick-fire double following the 10-1 victory of Difficult Decision in the preceding race.

Tiego Vidal, McKiernan’s assistant, said: “He always showed plenty of ability at home. He won a bumper and a maiden hurdle at Thurles and there wasn’t much option for him, so we took a chance here.

“He did well and had to dig deep, but I hope the boss is very happy with the result.

“He won on good ground twice but he doesn’t seem to mind that ground. I hope he can improve from that and see how far he can go.”

Allegorie De Vassy strikes Grade Two gold on chasing bow

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Allegorie De Vassy strengthened her position as ante-post favourite for the Mares’ Chase at the Cheltenham Festival with a bloodless victory at Limerick.

A dual winner over hurdles at Fairyhouse last season after joining Willie Mullins from France, the five-year-old was a 1-2 favourite to make a successful switch to fences in the Grade Two McMahons Builders Providers Irish EBF Dawn Run Mares Novice Chase.

Ridden by Sean O’Keeffe on her first competitive appearance in 333 days, Allegorie De Vassy was sent straight to the lead and was particularly impressive in the jumping department for much of the race.

Malina Girl gave vain chase in the straight and the leader was a little clumsy at the final two obstacles, but was ultimately in a league of her own as she passed the post with 19 lengths in hand.

O’Keeffe said: “I’m very happy with her and she is very enthusiastic about her job. She winged the first two fences, loves to get on with it, so I said I’d let her go along in front. I was trying to slow her down all the time really.

“She has a very big jump in her, has loads of scope and is a big mare. She was brave at the second-last but will have learned a bit jumping the last two fences and that will stand to her the next day. She put in a good round of jumping other than that.

“There is a nice engine there and hopefully (she) can continue progressing over fences.”

Allegorie De Vassy is the 9-4 market leader with Paddy Power to provide Mullins with a third successive win in the Mares’ Chase at Prestbury Park following the previous triumphs of Colreevy and Elimay.

Allegorie De Vassy carries the colours of prominent owner Rich Ricci
Allegorie De Vassy carries the colours of prominent owner Rich Ricci (Tim Goode/PA)

Joe Chambers, racing manager for owners Rich and Susannah Ricci, said: “She was good, didn’t learn much going around so I’d say the last two mistakes were handy and will stand to her.

“Sean was delighted, he won two on her last year and is more familiar with her than Paul (Townend). He thinks she has a lot of natural ability and it is good to get her going.

“If she is half as good as the other mare (Benie Des Dieux) we brought down here in the past, we’d be fairly happy!”

Regarding Cheltenham plans, he added: “It is not all about the destination, the journey getting there is every bit as important as well and we’ll try to pick up a few other races first.

“There are other races for her in Thurles and Clonmel, but we’ll let Willie decide that.”

Gerri Colombe continues progression at Limerick

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Gerri Colombe maintained his unbeaten record with a clearcut victory in the Guinness Faugheen Novice Chase at Limerick.

A winner in the point-to-point sphere a couple of years ago, the six-year-old had since landed two bumpers, two novice hurdles and a beginners chase for Gordon Elliott and was the 4-5 favourite stepping up to Grade One level for Limerick’s St Stephen’s Day feature.

Gerri Colombe was opposed by four rivals, three of which were trained by Willie Mullins, with 6-4 chance Kilcruit seemingly the first string ahead of Adamantly Chosen and Authorized Art.

Kilcruit briefly looked set to make a race of it with the strong-travelling Gerri Colombe early in the home straight, but his effort petered out and in the end it was left for Adamantly Chose to pick up the silver medal – beaten four and a quarter lengths by the decisive winner.

With stable jockey Jack Kennedy in action at Leopardstown and Davy Russell recently retired, Jordan Gainford came in for the plum ride aboard Gerri Colombe and was thrilled to secure his first Irish Grade One success, having been beaten a short head on Farouk D’alene in this race last year.

Gainford, who in October steered Shark Hanlon’s Hewick to glory in the American Grand National, said: “It’s unbelievable and first I want to thank Gordon and Robcour (owners). From the first day I walked into Gordon’s he’s looked after me and he had the confidence to put me up today.

“Last’s year’s defeat was something I didn’t want to happen again and a big thank you to Jack Kennedy too as he told me about him and how to ride him.

“His jumping was brilliant and for him to do what he did today was very good. Plans will be left to Gordon but the one thing he loves is soft ground and he had that today.”

Gordon Elliott trains Gerri Colombe
Gordon Elliott trains Gerri Colombe (David Davies/Jockey Club)

Elliott’s assistant, Ian ‘Busty’ Amond, said: “It’s great for Jordan and with the likes of Davy retiring it opens doors for these lads. They have to step up and did it and he did it, but he had the horse too.

“He loves that ground, Jordan said he was unbelievable to jump and did it well. He is laid back but keeps doing what he is doing and is six from six now.

“It is great for Robcour who put a lot of money into the game so it is important to get days like this.

“He is a right horse going forward, he has got his Grade One win now and would have no bother stepping up to three miles but well see what Gordon thinks.”

Betfair cut Gerri Colombe to 5-1 from 8-1 for the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in March.

Speaking from Leopardstown, however, Elliott revealed he is considering a different target.

He said: “He just keeps winning. He doesn’t do anything fancy at home but we are lucky to have him.

“We’ll have a look and see where we go next. He might go for the National Hunt Chase if the ground was soft. He wouldn’t want it very quick.

“He was a big baby last year and is a nice horse now.”