RACING: Hurricane Fly will be sorely missed if he does not make it to Cheltenham, should Go Native's ready victory at Naas be anything to go by. The Johnstown Novice Hurdle was one of three Graded races at the Co Kildare track and saw jockey Paul Carberry toy with his rivals before quickening two lengths away at the close.
While Go Native was undeniably impressive, he was no match for Willie Mullins’ Hurricane Fly at Leopardstown over Christmas but his conqueror faces a veterinary check-up this week to see if he can travel across to Gloucestershire.
Roberto Goldback ran a huge race under a penalty to finish second but last year’s Champion Bumper third Zaarito was a huge disappointment and was only fifth of the six runners behind his fellow 9-4 joint-favourite.
The williamhill.com Supreme Novices’ Hurdle could be on the agenda and winning trainer Noel Meade said: “I’m not sure if we will go (to Cheltenham) but it is tempting now. I will chat with the owner and see what we will do.
“He travels well and jumps well. Nothing at home has been able to get him off the bridle so I think he will even come on a bit for the run. At Christmas they both came to the last cruising. If Willie can get Hurricane Fly right he will take all the beating at Cheltenham — he must be a hell of a horse.”
Carberry added: “It was obviously going to be a bit of sprint and I wanted to go last because he has loads of boot. I didn’t want them to slip me in front but I was always on their heels, I just didn’t want to get to the front too soon because I was always going really easily.
“He could be a Champion Hurdle-type of a horse (one day). He’d be better on better ground.”
Colm Murphy was not too downhearted with Zaarito, reflecting: “We had him ready for the original Hennessy meeting at Leopardstown before it was put back and the horse went a bit quiet on us after that. I’m not too worried about the defeat but he won’t be going to Cheltenham now.“
Paul Nolan will tread carefully with Joncol (3-1) despite his charge pulling 10 lengths away in the Woodlands Park 100 Nas Na Riogh Novice Chase.
The likes of Travino and Majestic Concorde were well behind Joncol, who is now two-from-two over fences.
Nolan said: “He’s had a few little setbacks that have held him up this season. He’s a big baby, he’s 17 hands high and I think Cheltenham might come a bit too soon for him.
“He’s only six and is one for the future. I would not be in favour of taking him over there this year.”
Carthalawn (6-1) caused a minor shock under Niall Madden in the paddypowerpoker.com Newlands Chase. Mansony and Schindlers Hunt were sent off the 6-4 joint-favourites and although the latter gave a bold show from the front, he ultimately fell four lengths short.
“He handles the ground and he didn’t get the two and a half miles at Gowran the last day, although he still ran a great race there,” said victorious trainer Charles Byrnes.
“He is in again in Thurles on Thursday and he is the type of horse who loves racing, so that’s a possibility. He won’t be going to Cheltenham but maybe Fairyhouse and Punchestown, and we could also have a look at Aintree.”
David Casey managed to land some tidy bets on Henry De Bromhead’s 2-1 favourite An Cathaoir Mor in the paddypowertrader.com Handicap Hurdle.
The trainer said: “He needs a fast-run race and he was a bit keen early on. He loves it here, he also won his bumper at the track. He is a real chaser in the making and you can see that even in the way he jumps his hurdles.”
Dermot Weld’s Rite Of Passage (7-2), a summer winner at Galway, inflicted a rare defeat on a Mullins bumper runner as he proved rather too smart for 2-5 favourite Quadrillon.
The master of Rosewell House said: “He did it well on heavy ground. I’m not going to get carried away as it was a bit of a messy race. Robbie (McNamara) gave him a perfect ride, dropping him out, and he came home well.
“He’s still a big, immature horse. Cheltenham is a possibility but I have another for the owner Dr Lambe to run at Leopardstown next Sunday. We’ll see then where this fellow fits in.”