Ground conditions were very testing at the western venue where Michael Hourigan took the training honours by completing a 44/1 treble with Jolly Moonbeam, Old Kilminchy and Beef Or Salmon.
An incident just before the final flight proved the turning point of the two miles novice hurdle, in which Jolly Moonbeam eventually ran out a clear cut winner. Barry Geraghty's mount held a narrow advantage over Larkhill Jo when the latter slipped up after they appeared to clip heels. Thankfully rider Garrett Cotter was quickly back on his feet, and the result was confirmed after a stewards enquiry. 'She's a versatile mare having won two bumpers and a Flat race, and that's her ground,' said Hourigan.
Geraghty was also on board Old Kilminchy, 'a chaser in the making' according to his trainer, in the handicap hurdle. The six-year-old led before the last in this two and three quarter mile event, and just held off the late surge of The Culdee by a short-head.
Beef Or Salmon capped off a great day for the Hourigan family in the amateur riders race. The gelding provided trainer's daughter Laura (19) with her ninth winner in the saddle when heading front-runner Zamnah in the straight before drawing clear to beat Buffalo Bill by 11 lengths. 'I've always thought the world of this horse, but he was sick for alot of last season. The Leopardstown November Handicap is a possible, and we'll also try to win another hurdle race before going chasing,' said the Patrickswell handler.
Geraghty recorded his own treble on the day when partnering Lord Of The Turf to take the featured handicap chase, giving over two stone to the front-running Rheindross. The Troytown Chase at Navan is next for John Bleahen's charge.
Donal MacAuley (22) partnered his first winner when Sir Oj got the better of a final furlong duel with Native Arig in the bumper. The Cork amateur celebrated in Breeders Cup style by standing up in his irons and waving his whip triumphantly after crossing the line.
English import Montayral justified good support under Paul Carberry in the opening two and a half miles novice hurdle. Pat Hughes' charge made all, and was ridden out from the last to hold favourite Mister Month by a length and a half. Hughes' brother John said afterwards, 'He won four novice chases for Paul Nicholls last season, and we bought him at the Doncaster Sales in May. He's got quite a high mark over fences, so he'll stay hurdling for the moment and should be better over three miles.'
Meanwhile at Leopardstown, John Murtagh extended his lead to two over Michael Kinane (74-72) in the Flat jockeys championship. Murtagh completed a double highlighted by the feature race win of New Soth Wales in the Killavullan Stakes. 'He had a slight touch of the cough after winning at the Curragh, and so did well to win in the circumstances. He's a very tough and honest colt,' said trainer John Oxx.
Murtagh was also successful aboard the impressive Sea Dart in the mile juvenile maiden, but Kinane later struck back when Ice Dancer made all in the Listed Trigo Stakes.
Alan Magee
