The Gavin Cromwell-trained, 136-rated The Passing Wife, dropping from Grade 1 company, turned over hot-pot Doctor Du Mesnil in the Matchbook Series Graduation Maiden Hurdle in Punchestown.
Confidently handled by Keith Donoghue, the 2/1 shot tracked the 2/5 favourite throughout before cruising alongside on the approach to the final flight before asserting and coasting clear on the run-in to score by nine lengths.
Cromwell, who bounced back to top form with a Thyestes Day treble in Gowran Park last Thursday, admitted, “We probably over-faced him in the Grade 1 at Leopardstown. “But we’re back on track with him and it’s good to win his maiden. He’s qualified for the handicaps at Cheltenham now. So we’ll freshen him up and aim him at either the ‘Martin Pipe’ or the Coral Cup.”
And winning rider Donoghue added, “I told Gavin I’d have one go at Paul’s horse going to the last – and it worked out. We got it wrong the last day, in the Grade , trying to force it, but it just didn’t work out.” A five-time bumper winner in France and readily brushed aside, when favourite, by Ballyfad on his Irish debut at Leopardstown, ¼ shot Leader D’allier impressed when making all and confirming Leopardstown form with Straight John in the opening Matchbook 50:50 Graduation Series Maiden Hurdle, first leg of a Closutton double.
On the first leg of the double, Paul Townend sent Michael Burke’s five-year-old straight into the lead. He dictated things before asserting the final flight and powered clear to triumph by nine lengths.
Townend commented, “He had good bumper form in France, but we were a bit disappointed with him in Leopardstown. Like a lot of ours, he seems to have stepped forward from his first run and I’m not sure if the tongue-tie helped him.
“He jumped brilliant the whole way. I liked the way he settled. He quickened well down to the last and winged it and it took me a while to pull him up. He’s good and clever at what he does. And I liked everything he did.” Townend had to work a lot harder when completing the Mullins double on 8/11 shot Blue Velvet in the mares maiden hurdle.
Having come from off the pace, she had to dig deep to get the better of another Gigginstown-owned mare Torpille Dagrostis by a length and three-quarters.
“She’s tough and hardy,” said Townend, “She improved from the last day (when beaten by stable-companion Espresso Milan here). She jumped well and handles that ground.” Gordon Elliott and Jack Kennedy combined to take the Matchbook Betting Exchange Rated Novice Hurdle with the Robcour-owned Spinningayarn who made all to reverse form with Parnell Street.
“I got a handy lead and it was all straight-forward,” stated Kennedy, “He jumped and galloped and is going in the right direction. There should be more to come from him. He’ll stay further and wouldn’t mind a bit of nicer ground.” Winner of her maiden over course and distance in November, the Cian Collins-trained Sopelana again proved her liking for Punchestown when proving too strong for favourite and top-weight Bibe Mus in the Matchbook Betting Exchange 4-Y-0 Handicap Hurdle.
“She loves that heavy ground and did it well and Kevin (Healy) is good value for his 7lb. claim,” said Collins, “She might sneak into the ‘Fred Winter’ now and, if the ground came up soft in Cheltenham, who knows what might happen.”
Ross O’Sullivan, trainer of Bibe Mus, enjoyed better luck when the Danny Gilligan-ridden Nettuno Italia (4/1) ran out a smooth winner of the concluding Matchbook Betting Exchange Handicap Hurdle over two miles and seven furlongs.
Robert Tyner and Phillip Enright, out of luck with favourite I’m Slippy in the rated event, struck later when Kobalt St Georges, winner of two handicap chase at Clonmel in the autumn, justified 11/8 favouritism in the (0-100) Matchbook Betting Exchange Handicap Hurdle, at the expense of Ellies Rock.
