The chasing debut of former top class staying hurdler Le Coudray was the main talking point at Cork yesterday, where J P McManus' gelding reappeared after a near three year lay-off in the two and three quarter miles beginners chase.
Conor O'Dwyer's mount was all the rage in the betting ring, and those who supported him from 5/2 down to 5/4 must have been on good terms with themselves as he still travelled well in front approaching two out. However the eight-year-old hit the deck after making his first mistake, leaving Just In Debt to land the spoils under Norman Williamson.
Florida Pearl's owner Violet O'Leary gained some compensation for her star's defeat at Down Royal when Be My Royal made all under David Casey in the featured City Life Cork Grand National Handicap Chase.
The Willie Mullins-trained eight-year-old, let down by poor jumping last season, appears to be getting his act together this term. 'He jumped left in places but overall he was good,' said Casey after his mount dug deep from the last to deny Golden Storm by two lengths.
'A real galloper, and a lovely, honest horse,' was how Charlie Swan described Satco Express after dismounting in the winners enclosure following the three miles novice hurdle. Eamonn Sheehy's charge made all, and drew clear in the straight to beat Rockspring Hero by nine lengths. 'He will go for one of the long distance novices over Christmas, and will make a lovely chaser next year,' said Sheehy.
Admiral Nelson and Jurado Express are both likely to go chasing soon after hurdle race wins. Admiral Nelson led over the last in the hands of Adrian Lane to take the handicap hurdle, and trainer Eric McNamara said, 'We will probably try for another handicap, and then go chasing at the Limerick Christmas meeting.' Jurado Express asserted after the last under Conor O'Dwyer to beat Le Frere by two lengths in the maiden hurdle, with the 4/5 favourite Woodys Deep Ocean holding every chance half a length further back in third.
An Modh Direach (Jamie Codd) proved a fortunate winner of the amateur riders handicap chase, where Dromhale Lady fell when holding a clear lead at the last.
Alan Magee
