Doubles were the order of the day at Thurles yesterday afternoon, with Conor O'Dwyer, Arthur Moore and Paul Carberry all landing a brace.
Highlight for O'Dwyer was the silk-smooth performance of Youlneverwalkalone in the Glen Chase. Sent off a generous 11/10 chance, the J P McManus-owned gelding raced in second for most, behind clear leader Be My Belle, but comfortably reeled in the front-runner before the straight, easing on from the last for a four-length success. Roche hasn't any concrete plans for his charge but suggested that he was very happy with him since coming back from a break.
The Wexford-born rider initiated his double on Jurado Express (8/1) who put up a highly competent display of fencing on his debut in the opening beginners chase. O'Dwyer never moved a muscle on the six-year-old, running out a comprehensive four and a half length victor over Galway Hurdle hero Say Again. Trainer Arthur Moore suggested a winners of one at Cork on Sunday week as a likely objective. Favourite, Livingstonebramble's (100/30) jumping let him down and he eventually trailed in a well-beaten eighth.
Danny Howard was in the plate when Moore registered victory number two in the two mile six furlong handicap chase. Lough Ennel was sent off an unconsidered 12/1 shot (54.00 on tote) but belied those odds with quite a comfortable two-and-a-half length win, holding the late surge of top-weight, Garvivonnian.
Odds-on punters had some cause for concern in the juvenile hurdle, market-leader Party Airs (8/11) appearing to have plenty to do approaching the straight. However it was simply a case of pilot Paul Carberry employing the waiting tactics that he's famed for. Dermot Weld's runner made rapid strides to dispute between the last two, though he had to be driven out to account for the rallying Firando by a length and a half close home.
Christy Roche was expected to double up in the Rock Of Cashel Hurdle when his Silver Steel was despatched a short-priced 4/6 favourite. Things appeared to be going to plan when the seven-year-old went to the front early on the final circuit. However despite getting the better of exchanges in the air at the last, he couldn't hold off the determined late surge of Ruby Walsh on Azur Tonic who prevailed by a neck. Handler Tony Mullins said that Leopardstown at Christmas would be the next stop for the improving 11/2 winner.
Racing with just a mandatory 6Ibs penalty after going up a stone for a facile Cork win last Sunday, Greywell repeated the feat in the Munster Handicap Hurdle. Those who traded the odds on the 4/6 shot, never really had an anxious moment as Fred Doyle's gelding strode to an easy three-length victory. Trained by the owner's daughter Liz, the son of Camden Town is likely to appear next sometime over the festive period.
T Ryan received a 10-day ban for insufficient effort aboard fifth placed Royal Mirage in the three-year-old hurdle whilst Paul Carberry completed a double in the finale aboard Michael Hourigan's Moss Bawn who got the better of Charlie Swan on Lincam by a neck in a driving finish.
