Progressive novice Oscars Brother, carrying the colours of JP McManus for the first time, enjoyed a ‘solo’ as he landed the Grade 2 William Hill Ten Up Novice Chase in Navan for the King brothers, Connor and Daniel.
The eight-year-old (6/4 favourite) poached an early lead, enjoyed a clear advantage all the way and stayed on stoutly to register his second Grade 2 success — he won the ‘Florida Pearl’ at Punchestown back in November — by six lengths from the McManus-owned The Wallpark, who made eye-catching late progress to snatch the runner-up berth.
“That was a brilliant performance,” declared a delighted Connor King, who currently trains only two horses, “He loves that ground and had his ears pricked the whole way. It looked like he could go around again.
“He’s a very easy horse to ride and likes to do his own thing. He would appreciate getting a lead – I just leave it to Dan. We’ll see how he is before making plans – he has some good entries. He takes his racing well and is improving all the time.
“The timing of the ‘Brown Advisory’ (at Cheltenham) would be good. We put him in the (Aintree) Grand National last week – he would need one more run to qualify, but we still have time on our side.”
And the winning rider added, “To be fair, Connor does all the work with the horses – I just show up to school them. This horse is class. He jumps from fence to fence. The slower the ground the better. And he needs three miles.”
Always a force at his local track, Gordon Elliott and Jack Kennedy shared a double, highlighted by the gutsy victory of 11/10 favourite Staffordshire Knot in the Grade 2 William Hill Boyne Hurdle.
The Gigginstown-owned gelding, narrowly beaten in the ‘Galmoy’ last time, mastered last year’s winner Maxxum at the final flight and stayed on to spearhead a 1-2-3 for Elliott, with Better Days Ahead, on his seasonal bow, coming through take second, ahead of Maxxum.
“He didn’t have as hard a race as you’d think in Gowran,” said Elliott, “He’s very tough and was well-in at the weights today and got the job done.
“We couldn’t get a tune out of him last year – we couldn’t get him to finish his races, but he has turned a corner and looks a different horse this year.
“We have options. He’s in the Pertemps Final, with plenty of weight, and could go there. But there’s a lot of money to be picked-up in Grade 2s and 3s at home. He’s been a great money-spinner and seems to pick up a cheque every day.”
The Elliott/Kennedy double had been initiated when 116-rated Coyote Spirit justified 5/6 favouritism in the opening Navan Ford & Opel Maiden Hurdle, coming from off the pace to lead at the second last before drawing away to slam 80/1 stable-companion Loch Cuan by 25 lengths.
“That ground is very soft,” explained Elliott, “Jack said it was hard work. The strong gallop probably suited him and, on his rating, he was entitled to win his maiden.”
Colm Murphy’s improving six-year-old Zanoosh completed a hat-trick, followed up a recent course and distance handicap win and earned valuable black type when taking the listed Ryan’s Cleaning Apple’s Jade Mares Novice Hurdle, in emphatic style.
The 8/13 favourite, under Brian Hayes, powered home eight lengths clear of Poetisa, prompting her trainer to comment, “She keeps improving and is on an upward curve. And I think she’ll be better again when she steps-up to three miles.
“She has an Albert Bartlett entry, probably a dreamer’s option, but some of the syndicate might be keen to go there. And there are some very, very nice mares races for her at home. So we have loads of options.”
Without a winner since January 8, Henry de Bromhead enjoyed a welcome change of luck when Rokathir, in the familiar Brookhouse colours, romped to a 22-length win over Promontory in the William Hill Each Way Extra Handicap Chase.
The seven-year-old was having only his second start over fences and was described by his rider Darragh O’Keeffe as “a brilliant jumper”.
Newcomer Liberator threatened to complete a double for de Bromhead in the bumper but had to settle for second spot behind French import Luidgi Du Luy, on his stable debut for Emmet Mullins and ridden by Michael O’Neill, who received a two-day whip ban.
