The John James McManus Memorial Hurdle went for export at a well-attended Tipperary yesterday when the John Joe O'Neill-trained Intersky Falcon captured the 80,000 euro event.
The Grade 2 race was marred by an incident before the fourth last hurdle when Ballyhampshire Boy slipped up and brought down Just Our Job, while Timber King broke a leg when slipping on landing at the previous flight. Just Our Job also had to be put-down after breaking his pelvis. Liam Cooper's mount soon took control and, despite a strong challenge from Bob What in the straight, stayed on gamely to score by one and a half lengths.
Former England soccer international Terry McDermott heads up the winning Intersky Racing Syndicate, and he said afterwards, 'This is like winning the F A Cup Final. It's a dream come true. Unfortunately John Joe couldn't be here today as he's suffering with flu, but we can start thinking about the Champion Hurdle now!'
Christy Roche gained some degree of compensation for the loss of Timber King when saddling Wouldn't You Agree to complete a four-timer in the Kevin McManus Bookmaker Novice Hurdle. Paul Moloney sent him to the front before three out, and the six-year-old found plenty when asked to quicken in the straight for a comfortable two length verdict over Macs Valley.
'He's a lovely horse, and has all the ingredients of one that will mature into a three mile chaser. He's been on the go for a long time, and I think it would be best now to give him a break,' said Roche.
Jim Bolger, away in Longchamp watching Luminata take third place in the Prix Marcel Boussac, recorded a double in the two pattern races on the Flat with Marionnaud and Shizao.
Marionnaud benefitted from a powerful drive by Wayne Smith to just peg back the front-running Patsy's Double in the final strides of the Group 3 Coolmore Stud Home Of Champions Concorde Stakes, while Shizao showed good speed throughout when holding on by a neck from Miguel Cervantes in the Listed Danehill Dancer Tipperary Stakes.
Doesheknow was produced to lead between the final two fences by Ruby Walsh in the Kevin McManus Bookmaker Novice Chase, and kept on well to beat Minella Leisure by six lengths. The odds-on favourite Thari 'slipped at the first fence and lost his confidence' according to rider Paul Carberry, and could never get on terms in fourth. 'He's some jumper of fences, and has to be held up. He's won well twice now on fast ground, and maybe that's the key to him,' said winning trainer Pat Fahy.
Tadhg O'Shea looks set to retain his apprentice champion title, and moved onto the 28 winner mark for the campaign (five ahead of nearest challenger Davy Condon) aboard Satine in the juvenile maiden. 'She pulled muscles in her back when disappointing at Galway last time, and may now go for the Killavullan Stakes at Leopardstown (October 28),' said trainer Michael Halford.
Alan Magee
