Charlie Swan took the riding honours with a double but it was slippery ground on the chase course which proved the main taking point, and led to the beginners chase being abandoned.
A deputation of riders including Ruby Walsh, David Casey, Barry Geraghty and Paul Carberry met the stewards after the fourth race (2m6f handicap chase) to express their concern. The stewards decided to abandon the only remaining chase (sixth race) in the interests of safety due to slippery ground on the take off and landing side of the fences.
The slippery ground caused major problems for Park Leader in the featured Pierse Group Handicap Chase, but the 9yo put in a fine leap at the last to beat Kilbyrne King by 2L. 'Paul (Carberry) gave him a marvellous ride, and he'll now have a short break. We may venture over to England in search of better ground,' said trainer Paul Nolan.
Swan completed a 71/1 double in the opening two hurdle races. Measure Of The Man led early in the straight of the Pierse Development (Cork) Handicap Hurdle, and a fine leap at the final flight settled the issue as the Christy Roche-trained gelding came home two and a half lengths clear of Beaufort Belle.
Swan had luck on his side aboard Take Flite in the Pierse Contracting Ltd (Cork) Hurdle. Ballyhampshire Boy was backed at all rates from 1/2 down to 2/7, and bidding to make all when falling three out. Barry Geraghty's mount brought down Private Ben, while Take Flite was badly hampered and fortunate to stay on his feet. There were three horses virtually in the air together at the last, with Swan galvanising a bit extra from Tony Mullins' charge to pip Naahil by a head.
Mullins was enjoying a welcome change of luck after losing a number of horses on the track in the past few months, and plans to aim Take Flite at the top handicap hurdles in Down Royal next month and Leopardstown's Pierse Hurdle
The Beecher Chase at Aintree next month is on the agenda for Clonmel's Minella, who led at the last in the Shearwater (Kinsale) Handicap Chase and stayed on gamely under pressure to beat fellow 3/1 joint favourite Frezenium by three lengths. 'He jumps really well, and the National fences at Aintree should really suit him,' said trainer Michael Hourigan.
Alan Magee
