2 days ago
Sunchart shines on very kind ground
A dual listed-winner on the flat and rated 106 in that discipline, Sunchart outclassed her nine rivals when landing the Wexford Racecourse Rated Hurdle in Wexford.
Trained for Pat Garvey by Andy Slattery and ridden by 7lb claimer Adam Ryan, the 7/4 favourite tracked the pace, quickened into the lead turning for home and, despite idling in front, beat eye-catcher Farfromnowhere and Black Heather with a bit to spare.
Brother and assistant to the winning trainer, Willie Slattery commented, 'He's at his best in soft ground, so I walked the track and found it to be very kind ground, so were were happy to run him.
'I thought we got in light here and Adam, a great worker who deserves a shot, gave him a good ride.
'I'd like to go for the Galway Hurdle with him, if he gets in, but I'd say Pat (Garvey) won't let me. You won't see much of him. And he'll probably end up in listed races at Leopardstown and Naas at the end of the year.'
Winning rider Ryan added, 'It was very straight-forward. His jumping was a little cautious early, but he warmed to it, flew the last two and went to the lien well.'
Sunchart & Adam Ryan win the Wexford Racecourse Rated Hurdle. Picture: Healy Racing
There was drama in the opening Wexford Claiming Hurdle as Redwood Queen, a significant market drifter and subsequently claimed by Cian Collins, looked set to overturn hot-pot Beacon Edge when unseating Philip Byrnes at the final flight, leaving the 1/3 favourite and 7lb claimer Josh Halford to beat Must Meet Cecil by 22 lengths.
'We had a bit of luck on our side,' admitted winning trainer Gordon Elliott, 'We knew the trip was too short and he was flat out the whole way. I thought the horse in front probably had it won, but Josh felt he wasn't stopping and galloped to the line.
'Josh is a good lad and is getting plenty of experience. He'll ride a lot of winners going forward. This horse is rated 142 and is hard to place. If he's not claimed, he's in the Sales tomorrow.'
Sent off 7/4 favourite, the John McConnell-trained Lieutenant Mayne relished the step-up to three miles in the Support The Irish Injured Jockeys Fund Hurdle, which he emphatically, by eleven lengths, from Tag Man.
'I was happy to deputise for Alex Harvey, who is injured,' said winning rider Tiernan Power-Roche, 'He was very good. He loved the ground over the longer trip. The plan was to make it a test of stamina and it worked out great. His jumping was super and he won very well. It was great to ride a winner in these famous McNeill colours.'
McConnell said, 'He's a very, very nice horse, really exciting. He lost his way a bit over the winter, with a few issues, but we sorted them out. It's like he's on springs, he's some jumper. We might give him a break now before he goes chasing.'
Paddy Cronin's mare Onebrightbluerose, in foal to Mahler, recorded her second course and distance success, under Darragh O'Keeffe, in the first division of the 0-100 handicap hurdle.
