Slaney Native, making a quick reappearance after chasing home Limestone Lad over hurdles on Saturday, ran out a comfortable winner of the valuable Kinloch Brae Chase at Thurles this afternoon. Jessica Harrington's eight year-old, recording his third victory in as many visits to the Tipperary venue, led before the turn and held the lead to score by four lengths.
The complexion of the race changed completely at the fourth last fence, where favourite Micko's Dream slithered to the ground, bringing down To Your Honour. That left Lyreen Wonder in front, but he surrendered the advantage to the winner when running wide on the approach to the straight, and was unable to make up the leeway. “He obviously likes this place,” beamed the winning trainer. “Perhaps we got a bit lucky, but he has always travelled well. He probably needed the run the other day, as I hadn't done much with him since Christmas. The Irish National could be the race for him, as I think he really prefers better ground,” she added.
Successful jockey Paul Moloney was completing a double following an all-the-way triumph aboard Hat Or Halo (5/1-4/1-9/2) in the opening 2m hurdle. General Cloney (4/7f) was a warm order here, but could never quite get to grips with the front-running top-weight, and after a blunder at the last, faded into third.
Woodenbridge Natif is another horse developing a reputation as a Thurles specialist, and he registered his hat-trick at the track when sluicing up in the 2m 6f novice hurdle. Noel Meade's charge already appeared to have the race in safe-keeping when nearest challenger Murolook fell two out, bringing down Trevino. Meade insisted: “He was the first of my horses to get sick when running badly last time. Hopefully they are all OK now, and this fellow should make a lovely chaser in time.”
Rose Of Inchiquin (4/5-4/6f) put in an exhibition round of jumping to take the 2m 2f mares' novice chase. Tom Treacy's mount, second to Sackville at Naas last weekend, appreciated this drop in class and the jockey was able to ease her right down in the closing stages for a seven-length verdict.
Not for the first time, a Pat Hughes runner stung the bookies as Burrendale Lodge (5/1-5/2f) sauntered home on the bridle in the 2m handicap hurdle. Charlie Swan produced the gelding with a perfectly timed challenge on the approach to the final flight, and a good jump there put the issue beyond doubt. “He had been running too free in his races, so we decided to hold him up. He also wore a tongue strap for the first time today,” said Hughes.
Spot The Difference (7/4-5/2) is a possible for the Foxhunters' at Cheltenham after rallying well in the straight to collar Nellie Gale and capture the Hunter Chase. Any News (4/5-4/6f) was all the rage for the concluding bumper, but after travelling well to the turn was quickly left trailing by newcomer Laurier Rose, who powered home ahead of Kefaaf.
Filed by Shane Murray
