Too Bossy For Us opened his hurdling account in the ThatPrizeGuy.co.uk Maiden Hurdle at the Punchestown meeting rescheduled from Bank Holiday Monday.
Trained for the H O S Syndicate by Willie Mullins and ridden by Paul Townend, the Golden Horn gelding tracked marginal favourite Speculateur and, despite racing keenly most of the way, mastered that rival on the approach to the final flight before beating stable-companion Mino Des Mottes by two and a half lengths.
Minutes before completing an across-the-card double with Diamond Du Berlais over in Ludlow, Mullins commented: “It was slowly enough run and he would have preferred a stronger gallop. He took a bit of a hold and jumped a bit high. Paul set him alight going to the last and he was high again. He should improve more when he comes down and hurdles properly.
“I see him as a dual-purpose horse for the summer. And we might try to qualify him for the Melbourne Cup.
“He has entries in Cheltenham, and will definitely go there. I’m not sure what his target will be, although I think he has the class for the ‘Supreme’.”
Mullins and Townend completed a double when 7/4 favourite Fillyoureye, in the familiar Flynn colours, won the long-distance maiden hurdle by a wide margin, turning around Cork form with runner-up Frankie’s Freebie to the tune of 27 lengths.
“He didn’t enjoy Mallow – Paul was never happy with him. We took the hood off and he settled much better today. He’s improving and I’m happy to get this with him.
“He wants nicer ground, a trip and, in time, a fence. We might look at the long-distance novice handicap at Fairyhouse for him.”
Hero of the DRF at the weekend, Mark Walsh made it seven wins in four days when doubling-up for J P McManus on Crecora Hills and Agameoftwohalves.
Justifying 6/5 favouritism, Crecora Hills took the featured Irish Stallion Farms ERBF Mares Handicap Chase in emphatic style, stretching clear to beat Sophia Rose by six lengths.
The winner is trained by Robert Tyner, who said: “It was a nice performance and a nice ‘pot’. She handles that ground well. I thought she was in trouble going to the last, but she put it to bed very fast on the run-in. We’ll try to find another mare’s handicap for her.”
Walsh struck again when 15/8 Agameoftwohalves, trained by Gordon Elliott, produced what Frank Berry described as “a workmanlike performance” to see off Gold Option in the ThatPrizeGuy.co.uk Maiden Hurdle, after a last flight blunder.
“Mark said he’s still a big baby and should learn from today,” added Berry, “Hopefully, his jumping will improve. He picked up again after the mistake at the last and will stay further. And he’ll jump a fence in time.” Another rider enjoying a phenomenal week, Michael Kenneally, followed up Tuesday’s spectacular Fairyhouse treble when scoring on his only two rides, James The Brave and Pebble Bleu.
Having his first run over hurdles since September, the Padraig Butler-trained James The Brave landed a significant gamble, making all and holding on bravely when challenged by Lough Nigara to score by a neck in the ThatPrizeGuy.co.uk Novice Handicap Hurdle.
“He’s well-named – he’s tough,” declared Kenneally, “I’m having a great run, getting support from a lot of people. And my agent Gary Cribbin is doing a great job for me.” Kenneally was on the mark again, on his final ride as a 7lb. claimer, when partnering Colin Motherway’s versatile mare Pebble Blue to an all-the-way win over Slotty Dotty in the concluding mares handicap hurdle, defying a 7lb penalty for her win in Thurles last Thursday.
The Gavin Cromwell-trained bagged a fifth career success and repeated last year’s win in the ThatPrizeGuy.co.uk P P Hogan Memorial Cross Country Chase, making virtually all under Keith Donoghue before holding off former Irish Gold Cup victor Conflated by a length and a quarter.
“That was class – it’s something different and I get a kick out of it,” stated Donoghue, “He had the experience and conditions suited him, so we were hoping he’d win.” “Jumping won it for him – he seemed to outjump Conflated everywhere and a good jump at the last probably sealed it. I know he’s eleven, but he’s still enjoying it. He’s a great horse and it’s great to win again with him.”
