Garvivonnian provided Co Limerick trainer Ned Mitchell with his second National winner at Cork yesterday in the Pierce Group Cork Grand National, a significant riding success for promising young rider Martin Ferris.
Mitchell, who had previously won the 1987 Kerry version of the race with Seeandem, has the Aintree Grand National in mind for the son of Spanish Place, whose bold jumping helped him to a six length win over Star Clipper, with Fatherofthebride a further 20 lengths behind in third.
Ferris, 21 from Mallow, turned professional last June and was riding his ninth winner (his fifth as a professional). On this evidence, he appears to have a bright future.
It was also an excellent training achievement from Co Limerick based Mitchell, who had previously won the Kerry version of the race with Seeandem. Garvivonian has now won nine races, including six handicap hurdles ranging from his initial handicap hurdle win, rated 61, to his current chase ratings of 127.
Mitchell reported that the bold jumping gelding 'will probably go for the Troytown Chase in two weeks time while the Aintree Grand National in definitely on the cards.'
Elsewhere on the card David Wachman's Master Albert, placed in last year's Cheltenham Bumper, ran out the length and a half of the two mile maiden hurdle. Wachman reported 'he jumped well and did it well enough. JP (Magnier) gave him a good ride and the we'll find a novice hurdle for the horse now.'
Jockey Ruby Walsh rode two winners. The former Champion Jockey opened his account on Eoin Griffin's Don't Be Bitin in the opening three year old maiden hurdle.
The impressive ten length winner was described by his trainer as 'a tough genuine sort who will go for a Grade 3 hurdle at Fairyhouse later this month.' Half an hour later, Walsh doubled his tally, on Paddy Mullins' Asian Maze in the Pierce Contracting Ltd INH Stallion Owners EBF Novice Hurdle.
