This Is Serious defied the handicapper to land the 85,000 euro IAWS Thyestes Handicap Chase for the Charlie Swan/David Casey combination at Gowran Park, writes Alan Magee.
Swan, who failed to win this race as a rider, made the decision to run the eight-year-old from 9lb out of the handicap proper, explaining afterwards that `he stays well and loves soft ground, so we decided to have a go.`
The Bunny Boiler took a heavy fall just after taking the lead three out, and This Is Serious headed English raider Birkdale approaching the last before staying on for a two lengths victory. Badger`s Wood was a further 13 lengths adrift in third, while Danny Howard has a suspected broken collarbone after his mount Folliday crashed out when in front six out.
`He didn`t jump well last time in the Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown, but has progressed well this season. He is entered for the Grand National at Aintree, but if he is balloted out then the Midlands National at Uttoxeter is a possible alternative,` said Swan.
Sackville returned to action in the Hacketts Bookmakers Fighting Blindness Hurdle, but did little to enhance his Cheltenham Gold Cup prospects when finishing a soundly beaten third behind Be My Belle.
The Frances Crowley-trained gelding was never travelling well and, not surprisingly, his hurdling technique was very rusty. He gave a number of flights plenty of daylight, and also made a couple of mistakes notably at the hurdle in front of the stands with a circuit to run.
`David (Casey) said he hated the ground (officially heavy), and was never travelling. Today`s race is not that important but I would have to say I am a bit disappointed,` said Crowley, who added, `He missed a week after Christmas with a dirty nose and his blood was also wrong. Unless anything shows up after this race, he will go for the Hennessy Gold Cup at Leopardstown.`
Bookmaker reaction was unanimous in pushing out the nine-year-old in the Gold Cup market. Ladbrokes go 10/1 (from 8/1), while Paddy Power and Cashmans both quote him at 8/1 (from 7`s) for the Cheltenham feature.
Emotional Moment maintained trainer Tom Taaffe`s recent run of success when completing a hat-trick in the Power Seeds Handicap Hurdle, swooping late to deny topweight Cronin`s Boy by two lengths.
Crusset, who only joined local trainer Tony Mullins three weeks ago, took the Gowran Development Association 4YO Maiden Hurdle in fine style. Paul Carberry eased the gelding right down in the closing stages to record a two lengths winning margin over It`s A Gimme.
The dual bumper winner Beef Or Salmon opened his jumping account when sent on early in the straight by Paul Hourigan to beat Boneyarrow by five lengths in the R & H Hall Hurdle.
Alan Magee
