3rd time lucky for Sea Beat

The promising Sea Beat didn't go unbacked (6s into 5s) for the Paddy Power Cheltenham Trial Sunday 23rd February Maiden Hurdle and he made it third time lucky in the first at Naas.

Backers of the odds-on favourite Le Vent D'Antan (lost footing briefly entering straight) would have been concerned from early in the straight and Mikey Fogarty's mount drifted in behind rivals at the second last.

Second market choice Powder Hound was still there with his chance when losing his hind legs at the last. It was then left to Sea Beat to fend off Le Vent D'Antan by half a length.

Winning trainer Arthur Moore explained: "J D (his son) bought him in Newmarket and he suggested to Chris (Jones, the owner) that he might be a Fred Winter horse.

"He done well for a horse that never ran on the flat and if he gets in he'll go (to the Fred Winter).

"He was quite highly strung and it's possible that Cheltenham could blow his head and I wouldn't be that disappointed if he didn't get in.

"He's a very good jumper and he'll be a nice horse for the future."

Of course the same connections took the Fred Winter in 2011 with What A Charm.

Meanwhile successful jockey Robbie Colgan reflected: "I'm having a great time of it and Chris Jones has been very good to me.

"When you're riding with confidence things come easier to you.

"On this lad's first run at Leopardstown he ran a cracker – his first time on the track.

"He was a little bit disappointing the last day but today he travelled and jumped and did everything right.

"He meets his hurdles with ease – you wouldn't even think you were going over a hurdle. He galloped away real well to the line too.

"I thought going to the last that I was in trouble but he was really brave and winged it.

"I'd say he'll be a lovely horse the more he matures as he's only four. Arthur will look after him and he could be a real good one."

One of the ones to put Colgan in the headlines lately was Mala Beach and on him he said: "I was delighted we got to see his true colours last time. They went a proper gallop in what was a real good race. It's great to be riding good horses like that.

"The softer the ground the better for him. He's just a real big stayer and galloper. He'll be a lovely chaser next year."

B.T. O'Connell, rider of Miss Coley trained by John J. Walsh, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount burst blood vessels in running.

(AM & EM)