I'vehadit provided amateur rider Roger Loughran with his biggest win to-date when touching off The Premier Cat in the E43,000 Woodlands Park 100 Club Novice Chase. Loughran (23), from Kells, Co.Meath, unable to avail of his 7lb claim (now down to 5lb) in this Grade 3 event, was seen to good effect as the 9yo caught front-runner The Premier Cat on the line.
'Roger gave him a lovely ride. He won on this horse at the Limerick Christmas meeting and, with Kieran (Kelly) at Doncaster, we decided to put him up again,' said trainer Dessie Hughes. Sacundai was weak in the market for the Bank Of Ireland Hurdle, but Edward O'Grady's charge belied the lack of support with a cosy win under Norman Williamson.
There was no great pace in this 2m4f event, and Williamson oozed confidence as his mount jumped to the front at the final flight to beat Florida Coast by 4L. 'He's not been quite right since running at Navan in early November, and there were question marks over his fitness today,' said O'Grady. He added, 'Sacundai may go next for the Red Mills Hurdle at Gowran Park, and soft ground is important to him.'
Newlands Gold was also uneasy in the betting (4/6-1/1f) for the EBF Irish Racing Writers Novice Hurdle, but struck the front off the home turn to beat Albuquerque by 8L. However trainer Michael O'Brien was downbeat afterwards saying, 'Thaix fractured a cannon-bone this morning, while Social Order is also out for the season having damaged a suspensory when winning at Cork. Newlands Gold needs much better ground, and the plan is to run him at Leopardstown and then the Triumph Hurdle,' for which he is 28/1 with Cashmans.
Willie Mullins views Mossy Green as a future chaser after the Moscow Society gelding made all under Charlie Swan to beat Fota Island by 5L in the maiden hurdle.
Filed by James McMahon
