By Brian Fleming
Arthur Moore and Conor O'Dwyer have been a formidable force in national hunt circles for many years and yesterday at Down Royal the pair added another string to their bow when More Than A Stroll sprang a 20/1 surprise in the James Nicholson Wine Merchant Champion Chase, writes Brian Fleming.
After surviving a 7.30am inspection, a record crowed of 9,000 flocked to the County Down track to watch Ulster's richest jump race and it was the veteran See More Business which went off favourite after Florida Pearl drifted alarmingly in the ring.
The market proved a good pointer as Willie Mullins' stable star weakened in the closing stages to finish fourth after jumping to the front six fences from home. See More Business held the call turning for home but it was More Than A Stroll that was travelling best of all on the run down to the penultimate fence and he duly forged past the 12yo British raider on the run down to the last en route to a memorable five length victory.
'I'm delighted but surprised,' said trainer Moore, 'We entered the horse more in the hope of picking up some place prize money but the benefit of a previous run certainly helped him.' On future plans, Moore revealed, 'His long term target is the Aintree Grand National next year.'
Earlier Barry Geraghty, successful in the opener aboard Jessica Harrington's Private Ben, teamed up with stable companion Moscow Flyer to easily land the three-runner Killultagh Properties Ltd Chase. The Cheltenham Arkle Chase hero seized the initiative at the halfway stage to record a bloodless victory, his third on the northern track, prompting his winning trainer to remark, 'I'm relieved that's over and he'll go for the Tingle Creek at Sandown next.'
Elsewhere Tom Taaffe recorded a double, his first as a trainer, sparked off with Pelican Brief, owned by his sister Olive, before Emotional Moment prevailed over Milkat in a driving finish to the valuable two mile handicap hurdle.
The meeting ended in controversy when Tony Martin, who partnered Bizet to finish fourth, was banned for 21 days for using the racecourse as a training ground. Martin, who also trains the gelding, was fined 1,000 and the horse was also suspended for 42 days. Victory in the incident packed contest went to outsider Mister Felix, a first winner for Belfast handler Ian Gault.
