Homer Wells ruled in the Thyestes Handicap Chase at Gowran Park yesterday, displaying plenty of heart to win the E100,000 Grade A contest, leading home a one-two for trainer Willie Mullins.
Homer Wells tracked the leaders before making headway to lead after the third last, eventually staying on well to defeat stable companion Livinstonebramble by three and a half lengths.
The win was a career highlight for 22 year old Cork rider Davy Condon who is based with Mullins and whose Flat racing experiences include a ride in the 2004 Melbourne Cup.
Afterwards Mullins, who last won the race with Hedgehunter in 2004, reported 'when I saw my three runners Homer Wells, Livinstonebramble and Joueur D'Estruval (eventually sixth) in contention entering the straight I hoped one might win but I am delighted with the 1-2!'
He added 'Homer Wells jumped a little ?big' early on but he loves that ground and needs the three mile trip. He may go for the Irish National if the ground turns up soft.'
Mullins went on to record a double in the next when his Snowy Morning recorded a battling win over Ponmeoath in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Novice Steeplechase, under Ruby Walsh.
Afterwards Mullins reported 'he'll be entered for the Sun Alliance Novice Chase (25/1 with Grahams Bookmakers) and the Four Mile Chase at Cheltenham and he will appreciate the better ground. He is a tremendous jumper.'
On a busy news-day, Ruby Walsh later recorded a double and in-turn the fastest 100 winners ridden by a jump jockey in Ireland, when partnering Pat Fahy's Bluestone Lad to win the ?Ashkalani? Coolamurry Stud Handicap Chase.
Jockey Conor O'Dwyer partnered the talented Celestial Wave to win the Grade 3 Alo Duffin Memorial Galmoy Hurdle in what proved to be the middle-leg of an unlikely treble for the veteran but evergreen rider.
Celestial Wave was sent off the well-backed 4/6 favourite in the E40,000 contest and eventually made all for a convincing five length win over Studmaster.
Winning trainer Adrian Maguire later reported 'she idled in front after the third last flight and ran around a little. However she wouldn't have liked that gluey ground and Conor (O'Dwyer) said she's as tough as you like.'
He added 'I'll be watching Black Jack Ketchum on TV on Saturday to see how he runs but my mare won't be risked in the World Hurdle at Cheltenham if the ground is too fast.'
Grahams Bookmakers later cut Celestial Wave's odds for the World Hurdle into 8/1, from 12/1.
O'Dwyer's opening winner came on board Jim Culloty's Madross (20/1) in the P.J.Foley Memorial Maiden Hurdle before Cogans Lake landed the S & N Auctioneers Handicap Hurdle, at 25/1.
Following Madross' success, former jockey Culloty reported 'I bought him because I knew he'd handle soft ground. He had run on the Flat on firm ground but didn't like it.'
He added 'I haven't discussed it with Conor (O'Dwyer) yet but I am pencilling in the Fred Winter Juvenile Hurdle at Cheltenham next ? he stays well and would like the hill at Cheltenham.'
O'Dwyer's treble was completed in the 2m1f handicap hurdle on Cogans Lake who arrived late to deny Molly Massini by a length.
The concluding bumper was run at a crawl and was eventually won by Philip Fenton?s Singh On Song, under Brian O?Connell.
Thomas Weekes.
