The smallest field of the evening produced a conclusion that was cheered loudly by the majority of bookmakers at Tipperary yesterday. Just four went to post for the Gowla Handicap Chase over 2m1f and the contest unfolded in dramatic fashion after the last when Be Home Early, tailed off four fences from home, finished with a wet sail under David Casey to upset front-running market leader Balla Sola by half-a-length.
A surprised Tony Mullins remarked of his 9/2 outsider of the quartet, ' That's great for a horse who was off for 3 years with leg trouble. I thought he was hurt going down the back when he was so far adrift but he raised a gallop when he needed to. If the ground doesn't dry out at the weekend, he'll take his chance at Wexford.'
Champion rider Pat Smullen deputised for Colm O'Donoghue aboard Soviet Blues when likely favourite Mist Of Magic was withdrawn (excuse lame) for the opening twelve furlong Gowla Handicap and the partnership duly obliged for Frances Crowley at the expense of a gallant light-weight, Celtic Project.
Favourite backers got it right again in the Gowla Novice Chase when 5/4 shot Sunset Lodge recorded a bloodless pillar to post victory under five pound claimer Philip O'Brien. Winning handler Charles Byrnes, who saddled the nine-year-old to score also in Listowel last month, will now 'put him out to grass'. 'We had to go for this race as the ground will be drying out soon. That's it for a while,' Byrnes said.
Intacta Print, having his first run for Waterford trainer Henry de Bromhead, carried the colours of Tramore printer Eamonn Griffin to victory in the Beginners Chase under a confident ride from in-form Barry Geraghty.
'Francis Flood advised his owner that a change of yard might be good for him and he came down to me only recently. I don't know where we'll go next but the horse is for sale,' said de Bromhead.
Macroom permit holder and psychiatric nurse Ger Kelleher will have fond memories of the first meeting at Tipperary this year when he saddled his first success on the racetrack, courtesy of newcomer D'ygrande. The 12/1 chance stormed home by seven lengths under Tom Lombard in the 1st division of the Mares Bumper.
'My brother Mike, who is on holidays in Spain, helps me with the horses and I'll think about a maiden hurdle at Killarney later this month,' Kelleher said afterwards. BF
