Townend impressed as La Note Verte makes all at Roscommon

Irish Examiner

2 days ago

Winner of a bumper and maiden hurdle in Listowel, separated by 12 months, the Willie Mullins-trained La Note Verte impressed when making all to land the Supervalu Co. Roscommon Ladies Day Novice Hurdle in Roscommon.
Paul Townend's only ride of the evening, the five-year-old Australia mare, owned by Simon Munir and Isaac Souede, bowled along in front from flagfall.
Her jumping was slick and she had her nearest pursuers in trouble before reaching the third last flight, ultimately coasting home 12 lengths clear of Fairbanks.
'She felt green and inexperienced in Listowel but she has improved a lot since then,' commented Townend. 'This represented a huge step forward by her. She loves jumping and the nice ground helps. She should hold her own in better company.'
Earlier, 7lb claimer Anna McGuinness enhanced her fine strike-rate for Mullins when guiding the JP McManus-owned even-money favourite Vicar Street to a comprehensive victory over Cooladdi in the Adare Manor Opportunity Maiden Hurdle.
The regally bred six-year-old (Galileo-Vroum Vroum Mag), off the track since disappointing in a Galway festival bumper last year, powered clear on the run-in to score by 11 lengths, prompting his owner's representative Frank Berry to state: 'He jumped great and did it well. He handled the ground well and Anna gave him a lovely ride.
'You couldn't ask him to do any more and he seemed to appreciate the trip. You'd have to like the way he got to the line. We'll look for a novice for him, maybe Galway.'
Backed into 7-1, the Liz Doyle-trained Ryan's Son took the first division of the Frenchpark Maiden Hurdle, sweeping past We're Back Again in a race which saw narrow leader Bhean Saibhre blunder and unseat Peter Smithers, when in the lead, at the second last, hampering favourite and ultimate fourth Ned In The Park.
'He pulled too hard in a good bumper in Punchestown and we came here hoping to teach him,' explained Doyle. 'He does everything the wrong way around and Sean said he's still very green. We might look for a 'rated novice' for him somewhere.'
The finish of the second division concerned on the market-leaders as Donagh Meyler brought Noel Meade's Young Churchill (6-5 favourite) with a strong late surge to deny long-time leader Astelia by a half-length, with a 21-length gap back to the third.
Meade explained: 'We wanted a good gallop, so the walk didn't suit us. Donagh came wide for the better ground and it paid off. I was hoping he'd win his maiden hurdle, with the 8lb allowance, and he'll go back to the Flat now.'
Meyler went on to complete a double when the Jessica Harrington-trained Jerrari (4-1 favourite) opened his account, at the ninth attempt, in the REMAX Team Early Handicap Hurdle, staying on powerfully to see off Pampar Lady.
Wexford rider Eoin Staples savoured his first success since turning conditional when Gavin Cromwell's Ahead Of The Posse proved best in the Knockcrogghery Claiming Hurdle.
And Small Town Hero, formerly trained by Christian Williams in Wales, made a successful Irish debut for Ian Donoghue when making all under Conor Stone-Walsh to take the three-mile Roscommon Heral Handicap Hurdle in gutsy style.