Racing Tipperary report: Risk Accessor gave JP McManus yet another strong contender for the Galway Plate when he won the feature event at Tipperary yesterday afternoon, the Betdaq Hurdle
Alan Crowe's mount raced prominently until he eased past the tiring Heezapistol with two hurdles left. Goss, who is also owned by McManus, looked a serious threat but an assured jump at the last sealed victory for the Christy Roche-trained gelding.
"He ran a good race in the Plate last year and he will go there again. We also have Knife Edge, Go Roger Go and Grimes for that race", said the owner's racing manager Frank Berry.
The Byrne Handicap Chase, a recognised Galway Plate trial, fell to the Charles Byrnes-trained Cloudy Bays who put up a tremendous performance under Pat Verling for an all-the-way victory. The 12 to 1 chance had his rivals in trouble from some way out and approaching the second last he was well clear of the field.
However, he made a terrible mistake at that fence but a good jump at the last ended any hope that his rivals might have had and he eventually came home eight lengths clear of Lord Of The Turf.
Aidan O'Brien unleashed one of the smartest juvenile colts seen out this season when Magritte destroyed his rivals by five lengths on his debut. Michael Kinane sent the Great Gatsby's full brother to the front with two furlongs to run and the 8 to 11 favourite raced away for an impressive five-length success. Asanine was second with Castledale third.
Another smart debutant was unveiled in the Dressed To Bet Maiden where the Tommy Stack-trained Tolpuddle landed a substantial gamble. Billy Lee's mount made up a huge amount of ground in the straight to defeat Lemonstown Lad by three-parts of a length. There was a further 20 lengths back to the third placed Cozzene's Honor.
Elsewhere, Kevin Prendergast and Michael Hussey teamed up to land the opening Premier County Nursery with the 6 to 1 chance Kurlicue. The Lady O'Reilly-owned filly swept past Alexander Goldrun with a furlong to run and she kept on well to hold of the late challenge of Pomeranze.
Miss Trish went on to provide Prendergast with a double when she emerged victorious in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden. The 8 to 1 shot was one of eight horses in with a winning chance at the furlong pole and it was Christopher Geoghan's mount who quickened best of all.
Joe Crowley continued his great run since taking out a public licence when he saddled Hanorla to take the O'Dwyer Tarmac Hurdle.
The 9 to 4 favourite, who was ridden by John Allen, managed to avoid the carnage which claimed a number of runners in this event. Taranges finished a 13-length second with a further nine lengths back to C'est Fantastique.
