A long delay, stretching for over ten minutes, in announcing the result of the featured An Uaimh Chase created plenty of tension at Navan on Saturday afternoon. Eventually Judge, Brendan Sheridan had good news for Eamonn Sheehy and the owners and backers of Rathgar Beau, as his strong late run had taken him to a short head verdict over Strong Run.
Sheehy admitted afterwards that he'd have settled for a dead heat as the 'ring' had suggested that the outcome would go against Shay Barry's mount. The 4/1 shot wasn't helped by a mistake two out and the Kilkenny trainer alluded to this post race saying: 'Only for the mistake he might have won that bit cosier. He never rose a gallop in the County Hurdle at Cheltenham and he now has options at Fairyhouse and Punchestown.'
Lansdowne Road proved too tempting a proposition to resist for Willie Mullins and John Brennan, trainer and owner of Silk Screen and they missed seeing their charge benefit from a confident Ruby Walsh ride in the opener.
Delivered to challenge travelling well at the last, the four-year-old, who had missed the cut for the Triumph Hurdle, despite going over, needed to be driven out to prevail by half a length. Jackie Mullins was delighted with the result, saying: 'seeing as he pulled so hard that was a good performance.'
Clounties Hill, representing the same yard, later in the day, appeared to be on the way to doubling the score of the Carlow outfit in the novice hurdle. However, sadly, this fellow crashed out at the third last, when travelling well in fourth at the time, breaking his neck in the process.
This race went in emphatic style to Hard Winter as the 12/1 shot led approaching two out under Paddy Flood and showed great reserves of stamina to go clear for a ten length win over the gallant front-running mare, Criaire Princess.
Ballyamber got the Mullins/Walsh combination back on track when completing a double for the pair in the novice chase. A previously frustrating sort, the 2/1 favourite was making it back to back victories here. Leading from the drop of the flag, the son of Glacial Storm stayed on strongly on the run in to keep second-placed, Direct Bearing at bay by a length and a half. Camden Tanner came down at the last when beaten in fourth here.
Iggy Madden made it seven wins this year, three with Supergood, and his Its Over landed his fourth from five outings when bringing up a double for Shay Barry in the handicap chase. The 5/1 market-leader did well to survive a bad mistake at the fourth fence, and got the better of Executive Way on the run-in for a one length success.
Elsewhere, Tim Doyle's Flaxen Town gained his first win at the age of nine in the three mile handicap hurdle under Larry Hurley and the bottom weight's 20/1 success contributed to a Jackpot rollover.
Out of luck with The Parishioner earlier in the session, Michael Hourigan rounded off the day well, as his Kerryhead Windfarm (10/1, E85.60 on tote) and Kevin Coleman sluiced up in the bumper by three and a half lengths.
In other news, More Than A Stroll, pulled up in the feature event, has been retired. The Arthur Moore-trained twelve-year-old had numbered a Kerry National, a Munster National and a James Nicholson Wine Merchant Champion Chase among a career victory haul of nine.
