WITH THE cold weather biting hard, racing in Ireland this weekend was restricted to Cork where Saturday’s meeting survived an inspection, although racing was delayed while last-minute work was carried out on the track to make sure it was safe and some trainers decided not to run.
Bostons Angel sprang a minor surprise as he saw off his only two rivals to claim the McCarthy Insurance Group Hurdle. Three were taken out of the two-mile-two-furlong event leaving Mr Warbucks and Kauto Relko, a half-brother to Kauto Star, as the joint 5 to 4 market leaders, with the Jessica Harrington-trained Bostons Angel a 4 to 1 chance.
Kauto Relko set out to make all but he crashed out when beaten at the second last and Bostons Angel showed plenty of guts for Robbie Power, prevailing by two lengths from Mr Warbucks.
Harrington said: “Bostons Angel was doing nothing the whole way around and never picked up the bit at any stage – that’s just the way he is and he won’t change!”
The opening Mares Handicap Hurdle may have gone off 20 minutes later than expected but Dolly Hall (7 to 4) shrugged off the minor delay to oblige favourite backers, coming home two lengths clear for trainer Liam Burke and jockey Robert Jones.
Burke said: “He gave her a very good ride and she deserved that win. She’s a tough mare and the further she goes the better she is – we will probably go chasing with her next.”
Just five runners went to post for the Kanturk Maiden Hurdle, with victory eventually going to Mouse Morris’s 4 to 5 favourite, Shane Rock.
“The ground is much faster that Shane Rock would like today but he did it well enough,” said Morris.
“He got a fright when he fell at Leopardstown over Christmas but I haven’t been able to school him since due to the frosty ground – he’ll make a nice staying chaser in time.”
Brian O’Connell delivered Kilflora (9 to 4) with a perfectly-timed run to lift the first division of the Maiden Hurdle and spark a double for trainer Philip Fenton.
He was cantering all over his rivals coming down to the last but having found little in the finish in previous starts, O’Connell held on before pushing on over the final flight.
Fenton said: “Brian has oceans of confidence and gave Kilflora a great ride. Kilflora can be a soft horse and doesn’t find a lot off the bridle. He’ll go for a handicap next.”
Fenton completed his brace as Old Charm (7 to 1 ) took the closing Flat Race.
Declan Bates partnered his fourth winner as Goidelic (8 to 1) landed division two of the maiden hurdle for his boss Philip Rothwell.
In Britain yesterday’s meeting at Plumpton was a welcome respite for National Hunt enthusiasts, and conditional jockey Johnny Farrelly made the most of a suspension to David Pipe’s stable jockey Tom Scudamore to display his talents.
The 3lb claimer took the £20,000 feature on Master Overseer, who is now unbeaten in three handicaps this season, after a ding-dong duel with the favourite Tarquinius.
“With Tom suspended, it fills you with confidence when they give you the rides and I’m really grateful to the owners and Mr Pipe,” said Farrelly. “It wasn’t a fantastic ride, I just had to keep pushing and shoving.”
Recent French purchase Notus De La Tour sparked the brace with victory in the At The Races Sky 415 Novices’ Hurdle to stake a claim for the Triumph Hurdle.
Pipe said: “I was impressed with him as the second is a decent horse. We haven’t had him that long, we’ve liked him from day one and he’s confirmed it.”
McCoy suffers fall
TONY McCoy was left stiff and sore but apparently not badly injured after a nasty fall at Plumpton.
The champion jockey looked to have landed on his shoulder and was kicked as he came off Teeming Rain in the feature Sussex National.
McCoy had to be helped into the Sussex track’s medical room after being taken off the course by ambulance, but walked slowly out of the weighing room to return home less than an hour later.
“I got kicked everywhere, to be honest, but I’ll be fine,” he said.
