The British based jump jockeys team gained revenge for a heavy defeat last year when landing the betfair.com Jockeys Challenge by 56 points to 38 at Limerick on Saturday evening.
Barry Geraghty got the home team off to a good start when Rosnagowloge took the two miles maiden hurdle in fine style, travelling strongly to lead in the straight for a five lengths victory over Lough Ville.
However Fitzgerald quickly struck back for the British side on Smoking Barrels in the two and a half miles handicap hurdle, with Pat Flynn's charge quickening up before the last to beat Lord Graney by eight lengths. Timmy Murphy, Tom Doyle and Andrew Thornton also picked up points here for the visitors to give them a sizeable lead. 'Mick said he would be suited by three miles, and we will probably go for a staying race on the Flat. He likes a little cut in the ground,' said Flynn.
The absence of Tom Scudamore's mount Broadstone Road from the featured Sharp Minds Betfair Handicap Hurdle meant that Shanesia was also discounted as a points scorer in order to level things up, and unluckily for the Irish team the Paul Nolan-trained mare duly won under Ruby Walsh. The daughter of Erins Isle led four out, and stayed on gamely in the straight to beat top-weight Balapour by six lengths
David Casey gave Rocksham a strong ride to land the final leg of the challenge, the two miles handicap hurdle, but Mick Fitzgerald and Tom Scudamore were on the placed horses to secure the win. 'David gave her a great ride, and I will give her a shot at the Flat now as she seems to be well handicapped,' said trainer Dusty Sheehy.
The Betfair Gold Cup will again be competed for at Aintree in November, with the Irish team bidding to regain the trophy as the 'away side'.
Heronstown justified favouritism in the opening five-year-olds' maiden hurdle, taking advantage of a mistake by Super Cannes at the last to score by two and a half lengths under John Cullen. 'He was a bit unlucky to fall at Wexford, where he just clipped the second last when going easily. He's a very consistent horse, and needs to be held up,' said trainer Liam O'Brien.
Batang was also a popular order with punters in the four runner novice hurdle, jumping to the front two out and surviving a slight blunder at the last before going on to beat Babble On by two lengths. 'He will tip away in novice hurdles as long as the ground is not too firm, and I may bring him back to the Flat at some stage,' said trainer Ger Cully.
Alan Magee
