Aidan O'Brien's Excalibur put his rivals to the sword when running out an effortless six length winner of the feature race, the E20,000 Tipperary Festival Race, at Tipperary tonight.
O'Brien and stable jockey Jamie Spencer had arrived at the track by helicopter from Newmarket where Antonius Pius had finished seventh in the July Cup. The trip paid dividends as Exalibur eased to the front entering the straight, eventually disposing of 98 rated Lord Admiral with some ease.
An impressed O'Brien later stated 'he's a fair horse and won very snugly. He's entered in a few of the good Group races in the coming weeks.'
The opening two year old maiden looked a two horse race on paper and proved exactly that with Frances Crowley's Kay Two (4/6 favourite) getting the better of Desert Tigress (6/4) by a short head. The two horses raced against each other once the stalls opened with Pat Smullen's mount eventually winning 'on the nod'.
A stewards' enquiry failed to change the result while the official time of 57.5 seconds for the five furlong dash was fast. Winning trainer Frances Crowley later stated 'he was entitled to win but had to work hard. The runner-up looks like a smart filly. We have no plans for Kay Two now.'
Trainer Gerry Keane has done very well with his Danaeve who collected his seventh racecourse success in the 2m7f handicap chase. The winner, well handled by Robbie Power, was described as a 'smashing horse whose type is hard to come across. He will more than likely go for the Galway Blazers Chase at the Galway Festival although a lot will depend on how the handicapper treats him.'
The Woodlands Catering Chase proved a benefit race for trainer Dermot Weld with his Direct Bearing beating stablemate Stage Affair by four lengths. The winner jumped past front running Stage Affair at the third last fence with Weld later commenting 'Direct Bearing will go for the GPT Handicap at Galway and may possibly go for the Galway Plate also, depending on what weight he gets.'
The Say Again Beginners Chase provided its share of fallers with Kickham eventually collecting for Barry Geraghty and trainer Edward O'Grady. Unfortunately favourite Red Or White crashed out at the second last and was put down although Ruby Walsh escaped uninjured.
Eddie Lynam's Empirical Power displayed good battling qualities when winning the seven furlong handicap under Declan McDonogh. The winner made all but was strongly pressed over a furlong out but held the challenge of Marfooq by a head.
Lynam later commented 'he cost only E4,000 as a yearling and will now go for a premier handicap at the Galway Festival.'
Willie Mullins' Davenport Democrat raced keenly in the early stages of the concluding bumper but was settled well by Niall Madden who eventually forced the gelding to the front where it matters most, in a sprint finish from the home turn.
Thomas Weekes.
