The uncertainty of National Hunt racing was vividly illustrated in the Clonmel Novice Chase, where Dathai Uisce took advantage of a pile-up at the final fence to record a shock victory.
The 4/9 favourite Star Of Caulry held a six lengths advantage when falling at the second last, but that was only a prelude to the drama at the last. Ruby Walsh quickly remounted the hot-pot in pursuit of the visibly tiring new leader The Flying Mustang only to fall again at the last. Mypalthebuilder also crashed out at this fence, bringing down Gothic Lord.
However The Flying Mustang, who was very badly hampered when the favourite fell two out, could find no extra on the run-in, and was headed in the closing stages by the Willie Slattery-ridden Dathai Uisce. Star Of Caulry was subsequently put-down after receiving serious leg injuries.
'He should have finished only fifth,' was the immediate reaction of trainer Andy Slattery, who added, 'That's not his ground at all, and hopefully he can win another one or two over the summer.'
Walsh had better fortune earlier when enjoying an easy success on the well-backed Hedgehunter in the opening INH Stallion Owners EBF Maiden Hurdle. The previously frustrating Willie Mullins-trained gelding swept through before the last to score by 20 lengths.
Barry Cash missed out on a winner when badly shaken and stood down for 48 hours after Del Trotter slipped up in the novice chase on the downhill run approaching the home turn (one of a number to come to grief throughout the afternoon in this area). Kieran Gaule took over on his mount, Western View, in the following Comeragh Novice Handicap Chase, and he stretched clear on the run-in to beat Mumaris by 12 lengths. There were three fallers here at the second last fence, and the stewards decided to omit this fence in the concluding Ballyvaughan Handicap Chase for amateur riders.
Clear championship leader Paul Carberry was seen to good effect when producing evens favourite Whatatouch with a well-timed challenge to take the Tipperary Maiden Hurdle. Noel Meade's charge jumped past Berkley at the final flight to score by five lengths, and the Navan trainer commented afterwards, 'He jumps and stays well, and should make a nice chaser in time.'
Willie O'Callaghan was found guilty of making insufficient effort on 11th placed Victorian Lady in this race, and he was suspended for ten racing days.
Liz Doyle has enjoyed a good run in recent weeks in her dual roles as a trainer and rider, and she was on the mark again when partnering the Leonard Whitmore-trained Redlyn to land the Suir Handicap Hurdle for lady riders.
Keith Mercer (19), who is originally from Liverpool and joined the Paddy Mullins stable last June, partnered his first winner aboard Torose in the bumper.
Alan Magee
