Quarryvale and Paddy Mangan are clear at the last© Photo Healy Racing
Quarryvale trained by Jimmy Mangan and ridden by his son Paddy, made all for an easy victory in the opening Tote Placepot Races 1 to 6 Chase at Thurles.
The eight-year-old mare had the 13 runner field well strung out approaching the straight with the 15/8 favourite Raptor the only possible danger.
The “jolly” stumbled badly on landing two out when about three lengths adrift and Ruby Walsh did really well to keep the partnership intact - but his chance was gone.
Paddy Mangan could afford to ease his mount right down on the run-in and the 5/1 chance still had 11 lengths in hand of Raptor at the line. Kakagh (14/1) was a further eight lengths back in third.
Jimmy Mangan said, “She’s a good long distance mare and with a bit of luck there’s a big chase in her. I liked the way she finished at Gowran after she was passed.
“Heavy ground is the key to her and the shoes will be coming off when the ground gets fast. I had been hoping she would get into the Thyestes but it was lucky she didn’t now.”
