Queen Astrid booked her ticket for the upcoming Cheltenham Festival when landing the odds in impressive fashion at Limerick yesterday afternoon.
The Dermot Weld-trained five-year-old was sent off the 4/6 favourite in the 16 runner Murray O'Laoire Architects Mares Hurdle, and she settled the issue in a matter of strides when sweeping past the front-running Shuilan approaching the penultimate flight. The daughter of Revoque stretched clear under Ruby Walsh, and had 20 lengths to spare at the line over Cake It Easy, with Shuilan a half-length further back in third.
'Ruby said he just gave her a squeeze and she took off. She pinged the last two hurdles and it was a very impressive performance. The Royal & SunAlliance Hurdle is the logical race for her,' said Weld before adding, 'She seems to be pretty adaptable ground wise although she wouldn't want it really firm, and you will see her pace to better effect on good ground.' Queen Astrid is as low as 12/1 with Cashmans for the 'SunAlliance', although Paddy Power have her at 20/1 (from 25's).
Walsh completed a 13/1 treble on the day having earlier recorded another easy win on Browny Boy in the opening two miles maiden hurdle. The Malachy Hassett-trained 5/4 favourite also drew clear off the home turn to beat Ponmeoath by 12 lengths.
The final leg of the Walsh trio, which leaves him ten clear in the jockeys championship on the 96 winner mark, was achieved in much tougher fashion aboard Wolseley Lady in the Smyth's Bar And Icon Nightclub Maiden Hurdle. Practice Match looked set to score when looming alongside in the straight but Tony Mullins' charge dug deep to prevail by two lengths.
'I can't wait to go chasing with her as she's so economical and precise with her jumping,' said Mullins of the six-year-old mare, who has already registered point-to-point and bumper victories.
The 2003 Grand National hero Monty's Pass is on course for another crack at the John Smiths-sponsored marathon next month after completing his preparation over hurdles. The Jimmy Mangan-trained gelding lost his place after three out in the 2m6f ladbroke.com Handicap Hurdle but kept on again in the straight to finish a fair tenth of the 15 finishers behind An Culainn Beag.
'David (Casey) said that he was really well in himself, and I was delighted with the way he jumped. He could never handle that tacky ground because he has small feet. That's his last run until Aintree but we'll probably bring him to Tramore, like we did last year, to pop over a few fences before travelling over,' said Mangan.
'David said he wouldn't mind riding him at Aintree but I don't think he'll get off Hedgehunter!' laughed Mangan, while he confirmed that regular partner Barry Geraghty has yet to commit himself for Aintree.
An Culainn Beag was the second leg of a 19/1 double for John Cullen as Jack Of The Cross had earlier belatedly made up for an unfortunate reverse here nearly 12 months ago when making virtually all in the beginners chase. 'He was clear when falling at the last on St Patricks Day here last year and it's been a long 12 months,' said trainer Myles Sunderland, who added, 'He doesn't quite get home over two and a half miles and will go now for a handicap.'
Adrian Maguire saddled his first winner under rules when Celestial Wave benefitted from an inspired ride by Nina Carberry to snatch victory in the bumper.
Glabejet, well-supported in the morning at 3/1 and backed from 7/4 down to 5/4 on course, was another bad result for bookmakers in the Martinstown Opportunity Handicap Chase. Andrew McNamara never had an anxious moment on the four-time point-to-point winner, leading after five out for an effortless ten length verdict over Me Tows.
Alan Magee
