Monaghan handler Oliver Brady brought Punchestown to life last Saturday when he performed another rendition of his now customary post race victory ritual after Kenilworth duly justified favouritism in the hands of John Cullen in the Red Bog Hurdle.
'Up Monaghan, up Monaghan,' bellowed the affable Brady to the assembled audience gathered around the winners enclosure after the former John Oxx inmate, which finished runner-up to Party Airs in the Dennys at Leopardstown over Christmas drew, steadily clear rounding the home turn to come home with six lengths to spare over Really.
'Monaghan might not have it in football but, by God, we can train winners,' he roared, quickly followed by 'we're not scared of the big boys.' Bookmakers also knew all about the Brady raider in no uncertain terms as Kenilworth was backed from evens to start the warm 8/11 market leader.
One thing for certain is the powers that be at Cheltenham are in for an unusual treat if Brady's gelded son of Darshaan can land the Triumph Hurdle next month -the post race banter might never end! The Brady show is on standby for the Cotswolds and Kenilworth is currently a best price 33/1 with the layers for the NH Festival third day opener.
For those who rowed in with even money favourite Native Jack in the beginners chase they certainly had good fortune on their side. The contest looked set to go to Bassett Tiger, who was always holding 100/1 chance Mr Monty on the run to the last but the pair both fell independently handing the contest to Conor O'Dwyer's mount, who in turn came home unchallenged. 'We had a bit of luck there,' summed up trainer Arthur Moore, who will run his charge again in a winners' race 'in three or four weeks time.'
Ruby Walsh, rider of Bassett Tiger, enjoyed better luck earlier and in the process helped Michael O'Brien's Commonchero to complete a profitable five days for his sixteen-strong owners headed by Kieran Grainger when he opened his account over timber in the two mile maiden hurdle. Winner of a Tramore bumper on Tuesday, the IR#20,000 purchase forged to the front on the run down to the final flight and kept on well to defeat Baily Mist by two lengths.
