Listowel Report - Tuesday 19th Sept
John Murtagh moved onto the 60 winner mark for the season when partnering both Saratan and Back To Bolgers to score in effortless style on day two of the Festival.
Murtagh brought Saratan towards the stands side in the straight in search of better ground in the mile maiden, and the Aga Khan-owned grey cruised clear to beat Natalie Know`s by 11 lengths, with Gifts Galore a further three and a half lengths back in third. The runner-up and Killalongford (finished 13th) both lost ground at the start when their stalls were slow to open.
'He has come on alot since his debut at Galway earlier this month, although I was worried about the soft ground,' said trainer John Oxx, who added: 'He is in the autumn Horses In Training Sale at Newmarket, and hopefully will run again before that. He is a useful little horse.'
The dual Derby winning rider, now six behind Pat Smullen in the championship race, again came wide in the straight half-an-hour later aboard Back To Bolgers in the two mile handicap. The four-year-old gelding saw off the challenge of Digital Signal after the home turn, and stretched clear to score by 12 lengths.
Christy Roche, successful here with Spokesman yesterday, was again on the mark when sending out High Stakes to take the featured Lartigue Hurdle in convincing fashion. Stable amateur Alan Crowe produced the Bluebird gelding to head favourite Theseus after two out, and kept on strongly to beat Morning Breeze by ten lengths. Crowe (18), who has partnered six winners including three over hurdles, was recording his biggest success todate.
'I didn`t think he would handle the ground, and to be honest I had second thoughts about running him,' said Roche by telephone afterwards. He added: 'It was really JP (McManus) who made the decision to run as he felt the horse would handle the ground.'
Michael Kinane, one behind Murtagh on the 59 winnerr mark, was seen at his best when getting Turtleback up in the final stride of an exciting three-way photo finish to the opening two-year-old auction maiden. 'Mick gave him a great ride, and I would say they probably went a bit too fast in front on the ground,' said Tom Mullins, son of successful trainer Paddy, who added: 'We will probably step him up to a Listed race next time.'
The phrase `incident-packed` certainly described the handicap chase, with just six of the 14 runners completing the two mile and three furlong event. Hill Fox was left clear after well-backed favourite West Trix VI crashed out at the fourth last fence, which was in effect the second last as two of the last three fences were omitted due to earlier fallers.
Fearsome Factor justified favouritism on his jumping debut in division one of the two mile maiden hurdle. Paul Carberry`s mount was prominent throughout, and stayed on well from two out to repel the challenge of Trevino by two and a half lengths. 'He jumps brilliant, and will mix it between the Flat and hurdleswith the Naas November Handicap a possible target,' said trainer Michael Halford.
Punters suffered a reverse in division two where the heavily-supported Man Of Leisure was headed on the run-in by 16/1 chance Ollar Rose, while the Fahey brothers, Seamus and Peter, teamed up to take the bumper with Marys Madera.
The Tote aggregate of #259,776 showed an increase of over #52,000 on last year`s figure.
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