It was a bad day for JP McManus with two of his top horses, Istabraq and First Gold, both jumping poorly in their respective races at Leopardstown and Sandown today. Triple Champion Hurdler Istabraq fell for only the second time in his illustrious career at the final fence of the Shell Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown.
The 2/7 favourite also fell at this very same fence last New Year's Eve but, on this occasion, he was on course for victory after coming alongside the eventual winner Moscow Flyer approaching the last hurdle. Coincidentally, it was Moscow Flyer who benefited the last time Istabraq fell. Today, Moscow Flyer came in the winner at 6/1 with Colonel Yeager in second at 7/1, seven lengths behind, while Mantles Prince at 16/1 was third four-and-a-half lengths further back.
Although he had been jumping well throughout today's featured race on the final day of the festival, when it came to the last, Istabraq made a total mess of his jump and hit the obstacle before somersaulting forward awkwardly onto his neck, knocking jockey Charlie Swan to the ground. Neither horse nor jockey was injured in the fall although Swan said afterwards that the horse was lucky to be still alive.
"He had loads in the tank but on that ground he can just do that and we just got our wires crossed. He's had two really bad falls in which he could have broken his neck. He's very, very lucky and thank God he's alright," he said afterwards. Owner JP McManus was also relieved to discover that Istabraq did not injure himself in the fall. "There are no lives lost and I am just pleased and relieved that Istabraq has trotted back sound. It looked like he came up too soon at the last and paid the price," he said.
At Sandown, McManus suffered another blow when recent acquisition First Gold, the 8/13 favourite for the Tote Gold Trophy Chase, unseated jockey Thierry Doumen after making a similar jumping error to Istabraq's. Mick Fitzgerald on Marlborough eventually won the prestigious race at 5/2 after a photo-finish with Go Ballistic, with Richard Johnson on board. There was some consolation for McManus when, earlier in the day, 6/4 favourite Baracouda won the Bonusprint Distance Championship Hurdle.
Meanwhile, in today's other action at Leopardstown, Sackville was hugely impressive in winning the Captain Christy Novice Chase from Shannon Gale and looks an excellent bet for the Power Gold Cup. Like A Butterfly won the Paddy Power Champion Bumper.
Filed by Amanda Fennelly
