RACING/Reports from Down Royal and Limerick: Champion jumps trainer Noel Meade wrapped up the Governors Cup Chase when he saddled the first two home at Down Royal yesterday. The eventual winner Naomh Padraig and Good Vintage had the race between them from a long way out and it was only at the second last fence when Good Vintage made a slight mistake that the issue was resolved.
Naomh Padraig went on to win by a length for 20-year-old jockey Ian Power, who said afterwards: "That's the 20th winner of my career and I thought I might have been in difficulties until Good Vintage made that error." Good Vintage, who started favourite, was riddden by champion jockey Paul Carberry, who said afterwards: "Good Vintage likes to be covered up and the fact that there were a small number of runners acted against him." Meade said: "Naomh Padraig will go to the Doncaster sales."
Meade's neighbour, Michael Cunningham, was on the mark in the next race, the Mirror Handicap Chase. Nuzum Road Makers revelled in the firm ground and although challenged in the closing stages by The Bell and Ridgewood Water, never looked like being caught. Cunningham said: "I'm going to train him for the Galway Plate later in the summer. He has had a chequered career and had leg trouble at various times. Still, he won three races at the Fairyhouse Easter Festival."
Notabadskin kept up the high strike rate of Mullingar trainer Cecil Ross when winning the hunters chase. Notabadskin won comfortably from Dexter Gordon and was ridden by Willie Ross, nephew of the trainer. This was jockey Ross's third win on the track, but he has won four point-to-points.
Star amateur Philip Fenton made an excellent recovery on Baranndee to win the point-to-point maiden hurdle. Baranndee was almost brought down at the final hurdle by the fall of Room to Room Gold. As a result Baranndee was at a standstill as the leader, Sweet Torus, went on again and Fenton's mount appeared to have no chance. But she rallied rapidly and rattled home by a short head.
Why Bother returned to form with a vengence to land the featured www.limerick-racecourse.com Handicap Chase under Jimmy Mansell at Limerick. There were five of the seven runners still in with a chance at the second last in this two-mile event, and Why Bother kept on best on the run-in to deny outsider Executive Way by a length and a half.
Winning trainer Stephen Ryan paid tribute afterwards to the role played by physiotherapist Barry O'Neill: "Her jumping had become very cautious due to muscle problems in her hindquarters, and Barry has done a great job in sorting it out."
Local handler Michael Hourigan was on the mark when Mr Sneaky Boo took the handicap hurdle. The six-year-old was produced full of running by Paul Moloney in the straight and despite a blunder at the final flight, kept on well to beat Black Church Lad by 3½ lengths. "He will probably go to Killarney next week," said Hourigan.
Albuquerque took full advantage of a loop-hole in the conditions of the Braddish Developers Novice Hurdle. Thomond O'Mara's charge was unpenalised for winning at Wexford last Friday, and followed up here when making all in the hands of Willie Slattery to beat Rugged Jacket by a length and a half.
