RACING: Black Apalachi enhanced his Grand National claims with a bold display in the At The Races Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse. Already a winner over the Aintree fences in the Becher Chase, Dessie Hughes' 10-year-old made most for Roger Loughran.
Running in the race named in honour of a former National winner, last year’s Aintree third Snowy Morning looked a huge threat but could never quite get to the 11-4 chance. Southern Vic lost every chance with a bad mistake three out.
It is now full steam ahead towards Aintree for which he was made 12-1 (from 16s) joint-favourite with Butler’s Cabin with William Hill. Snowy Morning was left unchanged at 20-1.
Victor Chandler make the winner 12-1 favourite from 20s.
“He gave an exhibition of jumping today and all going well his next run will be in the Grand National at Aintree,” said Hughes. “He doesn’t need many runs to get him right. He would ideally want soft ground but he also goes on good ground.”
Hughes and Loughran doubled up in the other Graded race with Kyrie Eleison in the Winning Fair Juvenile Hurdle.
Fifth behind Jumbo Rio, one of Ireland’s leading Triumph Hurdle hopes last time, he showed guts to fight off the front-running Donegal and the late challenge of Chevalier Country by three-quarters of a length.
“He did it well considering the mistake at the last,” said Hughes. “Roger said he was idling in front. He is a good ground horse and it was riding tacky today. He has an entry in the Triumph Hurdle, but is not a certain runner and Punchestown might be a better option.”
Willie Mullins unleashed yet another contender for the Cheltenham Bumper when Lios A Choill easily took the Rockview (Q.R) INH Flat Race, under his son Patrick.
“He’s definitely going to Cheltenham. He’s very good, he did what we thought he would,” said Mullins. “It was great that he could show such a turn of foot off a really slow early gallop.
“He’s beautifully bred, he has a top-class pedigree.”
Mullins also struck as Themoonandsixpence won under Paul Townend in the Early Bird Discounted Tickets For Easter Maiden Hurdle.