RACING: BAILY GREEN completed a super six-timer with a clear-cut victory in the Buck House Novice Chase at Punchestown yesterday. The six-year-old was giving trainer Mouse Morris an apt success in a race named after his 1986 Queen Mother Champion Chase winner.
The Co Tipperary handler had thought of giving Baily Green a break but felt this Grade Three contest was worth going for. Jockey David Casey wanted Special Tiara to do the donkey work but Baily Green’s jumping saw him take close order with Henry de Bromhead’s runner.
These two held a healthy advantage over their four rivals until the 5 to 4 favourite jumped ahead at the second-last and bounded away to score by 15 lengths. “We were going to give Baily Green a break but he was so well and there was this Grade Three for him and it wasn’t to be sniffed at,” said Morris.
“I could see Baily Green coming back for something like Aintree, but I’ll keep my options open but he’ll have to step up now. It’s not that Baily Green doesn’t go on the heavy ground, but it catches his wind.
“David gave him a very good ride, he waited, had one crack and had to wing the second-last fence.”
Morris had earlier struck with exciting prospect Rule The World when the Gigginstown House Stud-owned gelding made a winning debut under rules in the Buy Your 2013 Annual Badge Maiden Hurdle.
The 6 to 4 shot gave Davy Russell an armchair ride, coming home 13 lengths clear of Angelas Money in second. Morris said: “I don’t know how good a race it was but he couldn’t do any more and it was a nice introduction to the game for him.
“Today is his first day out (since his point-to-point) and it’s all a bit new for him. He was fresh, jumped well and I couldn’t be happier with him.”
Gigginstown’s Roi Du Mee (6 to 1) won the Star “Best For Racing Coverage” Chase for the second year running after a pillar-to-post success, with his owners also responsible for runner-up Magnanimity. Gordon Elliott’s charge had the benefit of a recent outing and Paul Carberry made full use of his mount’s race fitness.
The evens favourite Joncol tried to close but ran out of steam from the last in his first race since December as Magnanimity took second five lengths behind the winner. Elliott said: “This was his Gold Cup! The plan was to make the running and we knew he had come on a lot from his run the last day.
“He won this race last year too and is a grand little horse who will pick up a bit of prize-money along the way this season. He’s not over-big but has a big heart and loves the soft ground – we’ll pick and choose where we go with him this season and probably avoid a lot of the Grade One chases in favour of more Grade Twos and Threes.”
Tarla made amends for a poor run on the Flat when emphatically making all on her return to National Hunt racing in the Grabel Mares Hurdle. The 9 to 10 shot was always travelling comfortably in front for Ruby Walsh and romped home by 12 lengths.
