Down In Neworleans© Photo Healy Racing
The Grade 3 Pricewaterhousecoopers Chase looked a very interesting contest but the outcome proved far more dramatic as even money favourite Knockfierna who held every chance, ran out at the second last fence, with victory in the end going to Down In Neworleans
Knockfierna, under Barry Geraghty, arrived full of running approaching the second last fence alongside Rivage D'Or
Amazingly, for the second time in her career, Knockfierna cocked her jaw and ran out through the wing on the approach to that second last obstacle. Incredibly she had replicated that same manouevre at the same place, again costing her victory, at the venue last December.
Knockfierna's exit left Rivage D'Or clear of Down In Neworleans (under Danny Mullins), who himself made a mistake at that second last fence. However Down In Neworleans stayed on far better than Rivage D'Or from the last, scoring by seven lengths at the line.
Winning trainer Mags Mullins subsequently stated “Down In Neworleans had a slight tendon injury but we received great advice from vet Jerry Kelly, from Fethard, who told us to be patient and not to rush him back.
“I was worried about the ground coming here today and told Danny if he wasn't happy to pull him up. He is a big horse and took longer than most horses do to come back but I won't be in any rush with him for a while now.”
The also race featured the return of smart novice Rathlin but the Mouse Morris trained gelding was easy to back in the ring and on the course quickly dropped away after three out. He trailed in last of the four finishers but Morris expressed his satisfaction with the run, saying “I'm happy with the run - he'll come on from the run.”
