Tramore crowd treated to a thrilling day two of the August Festival
Trainer Willie Mullins pictured James Fenton, Roisin Shanahan, Kate Cagney and Carol Yelverton-Halpin. Photos: Noel Browne
Day two of the Tramore August Festival produced another entertaining evening of racing, with a good crowd treated to competitive action on ground described as good and a card that featured a mixture of established performers, promising youngsters and memorable local success stories.
The opening Seamus Byrne Electrical Chase went the way of Anyway, who bounced back to winning form for trainer David Budds and jockey Darragh O'Keeffe. Sent off at 13/2, the eight-year-old saw off the challenge of Willie Mullins-trained More Coko, with hot favourite Rocky's Diamond having to settle for third. Budds afterwards expressed his delight at seeing the horse return to something like his best form, noting that he had not been quite himself since running at Cheltenham but had been working encouragingly at home in recent weeks.
The second race, the I.P.R.S. Handicap Chase, provided one of the stories of the evening as veteran campaigner Fr Gilligansvoyge continued his remarkable run of consistency. Ridden by Patrick O'Brien for trainer John Carr, the 14/1 shot made virtually all of the running before staying on strongly to beat Set The Tone, with Menas Miracle finishing third. Carr revealed afterwards that retirement is discussed every season for the popular performer, but the durable gelding continues to defy age and remains as enthusiastic as ever.
The Majestic Hotel Maiden Hurdle produced a tight finish and a breakthrough success for Simple Things. Trained and ridden by Peter Smithers, the 6/4 favourite displayed plenty of determination to overhaul the Willie Mullins-trained World As One in the closing stages. Chasing Blues, representing Henry de Bromhead, looked a major player for much of the contest but weakened approaching the final hurdle and had to settle for third. The victory suggested Simple Things could have a bright future over obstacles.
The John Fairbrother Memorial Mares Handicap Hurdle saw Small Bucks emerge best from a competitive field. Trained by P.E. Collins and ridden by Patrick O'Brien, the mare came from off the pace to collar Rare Times close home, with Tingarran Express taking third. Collins felt the return to quicker ground was a decisive factor, having been disappointed by conditions during her previous outing at Galway. The success completed a notable double on the card for O'Brien, who enjoyed an excellent evening in the saddle.
One of the highlights of the festival's second evening came in the Walsh Butler Electrical Mares Maiden Hurdle, where Kenny's Jewel stormed home under J.J. Slevin to provide trainer Margaret "Mags" Mullins with a welcome winner. Rated just 82 beforehand and fitted with cheekpieces for the first time, the 17/2 chance made significant late progress before taking command at the final flight and pulling clear of Room For One More. Favourite Hello Below filled third place. Mullins afterwards described the filly as an improving type who had been showing encouraging signs at home and believed there could be more to come from her.
The Comeragh Veterinary Kilmacthomas Handicap Hurdle went to Moonlight Paradise, who proved strongest in the closing stages of the evening's penultimate contest. Sent off at 12/1, the winner denied favourite Mighty Berkshire, while Boston Beach ran a solid race to finish third. It was another competitive handicap that underlined the depth of the festival programme and maintained the strong betting interest that characterised the meeting throughout the evening.
As expected, Willie Mullins featured prominently in the concluding Clem Jacob Hire INH Flat Race and duly collected the finale through Long'way. Starting as the 4/5 favourite and ridden by Patrick Mullins, the French-bred mare travelled smoothly throughout before pulling clear in decisive fashion. Tale Of Intrigue chased her home in second, while Call My Name filled third. The result came as little surprise given the Mullins family's formidable record in bumper races and provided a fitting conclusion to another successful evening at Tramore.
