A quality line-up of six when to post for the Powers Gold Cup, and the two and a half miles Grade 1 contest certainly didn't disappoint as Timmy Murphy gave an exhibition of hold-up tactics aboard Hi Cloy.
The Michael Hourigan-trained gelding was always travelling sweetly at the rear of the field, and Murphy coolly kept his powder dry tracking the uneasy favourite Kicking King (7/4 to 9/4) until after the last before making a move. The response was instant on the run-in as the seven-year-old accelerated to the front inside the final 50 yards to win by half a length. Nil Desperandum, having his first run since taking the Grade 1 Drinmore Chase over course and distance last November, could find no extra approaching the last to finish a further six lengths back in third.
'He's been a consistent horse all season, was fresh coming here and is really suited by the two and a half miles distance,' said Hourigan before revealing that the gelding may soon be out of his care. 'He heads over tonight for the sales at Cheltenham. English racing would suit him much better as they go a good gallop there. If he's still with me, he will go to Punchestown.'
Hourigan later completed a big race double when newcomer Arteea ran out a convincing winner of the Goffs Land Rover Bumper in the hands of Mark O'Hare. 'He was bought for 31,000 euro with this race in mind. He hasn't missed a day's work since Christmas and, while I didn't think he'd win, I felt he would run well,' said the Patrickswell handler.
Kicking King's rider Barry Geraghty quickly gained compensation when landing the valuable Menolly Homes Handicap Hurdle aboard Macs Joy. Jessica Harrington's charge, controversially demoted for interference after winning at Leopardstown last time, and Tiger Cry fought out a neck and neck battle in the straight with the well-backed 7/2 favourite only getting on top in the closing stages.
'We had to miss out the County Hurdle at Cheltenham as he was well out of the handicap, and he didn't go to Aintree because he had a bit of a dirty nose. Barry said he was always travelling well today, and we'll either go to Punchestown for a handicap or a novice or maybe the Swinton Hurdle at Haydock,' said Mrs Harrington.
Willie Mullins sent out his second Grade 2 novice hurdle winner of the three-day Easter Festival meeting when Royal Alphabet justified odds-on favouritism in the two miles Menolly Homes Novice Hurdle.
Snapper Creek built up a huge lead at halfway, and was still about ten lengths clear at the home turn. However David Casey never panicked on the 8/11 chance, and eventually wore down the front-runner on the run-in for a length and a half success.
'Snapper Creek got a free run in front, and I didn't think we could win at halfway,' confessed Mullins, who was also on the mark here on Sunday with Sadlers Wings. 'David had to go for him sooner than we hoped, and I'm delighted with the way he stayed. He's a two miler, and will go for the Grade 1 Evening Herald Champion Novice Hurdle at Punchestown, while he could also go for the Emo Oil Champion Hurdle there three days later,' added Mullins.
Desperado Queen, a ninth career win for veteran claimer Dougie Fisher, caused a shock in the opening maiden hurdle. A first winner in 'over ten years' for Ardee handler Bill Doran, the 14/1 chance (paid 33.70 on the Tote) shrugged off the challenge of 5/4 favourite Forget The Past in the straight to score by four lengths.
Alan Magee
