Killultagh Storm benefitted from a well-timed ride by David Casey to land the featured Powers Gold Label Handicap Hurdle on the final day of the Easter Festival meeting, writes Alan Magee.
'I told David to get there as late as he could,' said trainer Willie Mullins after the son of Mandalus led after the last and held the renewed challenge of Brigade Charge by a head. 'He will go to the Punchestown Festival for another handicap, and will make a hell of a two mile chaser next season,' Mullins added.
This #75,000 event is proving something of a benefit for Casey, who put up just 1lb overweight at 9.8, as he previously won on Mystical City and last year on She's Our Mare.
Mullins, Chairman of the Trainers Association, is critical of the present system when the topweight is withdrawn after the overnight declaration stage in valuable races. The remaining weights do not rise once the gap to the second horse in the handicap is not more than 10lbs. 'The current rules are being abused, and the integrity services need to look at the present system. The Trainers Association are in favour of the weights rising in all races where the topweight comes out,' he said.
Native Upmanship gained a bloodless victory in the Powers Gold Cup as the Arthur Moore-trained gelding came home a distance clear of British raider Sunrise Special, the only other finisher among the five runners.
Montana Glen was detached form the leaders when pulled up at halfway, while Rathbawn Prince unseated Kieran Kelly after a bad mistake seven out. Slaney Native disputed the lead with the winner until losing touch four out, and was well adrift when refusing at the final fence. Conor O'Dwyer could afford to pop the three fences in the straight to take this Grade 1 event with embarrasing ease.
A delighted Arthur Moore said: 'He learned alot from Cheltenham, and we had to make the running as there was no pace in the race. He has a choice of engagements at Punchestown, and will probably run in either the Bradstock Novice Chase (2m4f) or the Heineken Chase (3m1f). I will see how those races shape up as I don't want to over-face him. He is a horse for the future.'
Cathal Swords recorded by far his biggest win todate when partnering Winning Jenny to take the #50,000 Goffs Land Rover Bumper. Francis Flood's charge was patiently ridden to lead a furlong out for a two and a half length success over Bob Justice.
Norman Williamson successfully deputised for Paul Hourigan - out of action for three months and who hopes to have an operation this week on his troublesome collar-bone - aboard Moscow Retreat in the two mile RFL Steel Hurdle.
The seven-year-old headed Persian Isle before the last, and kept on well to beat the always prominent Dawn's Double by five and a half lengths. 'He will go to Punchestown next week,' said trainer Michael Hourigan, who added: 'He just didn't stay two and a half miles, and will make a nice two mile chase.'
There was an exciting finish to the opening TDG Logistics Maiden Hurdle, with long-time leader Young Whack being overhauled in the final strides by both Berkeley Run and Bay Magic.
Young Whack looked set to land this 2m6f stamina test when three lengths ahead at the last. But he tired visibly on the run-in as Berkeley Run (Shane McCann) challenged between horses to score by a short-head and a neck.
Paddy's Pet jumped to the front four out in the 'Happy Ring House' Handicap Chase but needed a strong drive on the run-in from Paul Carberry to hold the challenge of Darmil by a length. There were just two jackpot units going onto the Noel Meade-trained gelding, with both collecting a dividend of #9,375.
Meade later completed a double in the bumper with newcomer The Hooded Falcon. The five-year-old gelding made most of the running, and was driven clear inside the final quarter mile to beat Noble Promise by four lengths.
Naas trainer Shane Lawlor notched his first success under rules when Good Glow took the Joseph O'Reilly Memorial Cup under JD Moore. The former Arthur Moore-trained gelding swept past Gallant Glen after three out for a comfortable victory.
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