Irish Racing Round-Up: 19/11/2018

Whilst most people’s eyes were on Cheltenham this weekend, racing was held in Ireland with meetings held at Punchestown and Cork. Gordon Elliott had a treble up on the Saturday of Punchestown but it was Willie Mullins that bagged the Grade 2 Betway Craddockstown Novice Chase with Voix Du Reve as well as the Listed race later in the card with Stormy Ireland confirming favouritism.

Voic Du Reve was asked some serious questions by his four rivals with the jumping often not fluent, however he stayed on well in the hands of Paul Townend to run out a comfortable winner by seven lengths.

The six-year-old looks a decent prospect and there is no reason why he can’t onto contest Grade 1 races in the near future.The Frontline Security Grabel Mares Hurdle (Listed Race) saw Ruby Walsh win on Stormy Ireland. The final positions were almost exactly in betting order with Mullins completing a 1-2-3. This was a decent display from the mare who hadn’t ran since June.

On the Sunday of the meet Mullins and Elliott both bagged two winners each. However, the main story from the track was in the shape of the Unibet Morgiana Hurdle (Grade 1). With Samcro and Supasundae non-runners, Faugheen found himself 2/5 favourite in what looked a penalty kick in a four-runner race. The last time he was seen was bagging the stayers hurdle here in April in fine style. That looked like a return to form for the superstar. However, he was beaten in emphatic style by stablemate Sharjah who prevailed at 7/2. It would be hoped by connections that Faugheen can come on for the run, the manner of defeat however was concerning.

The Grade 2 Liam & Valerie Brennan Memorial Florida Pearl Novice Chase saw another favourite turned over. Elliot’s seven-year-old Blow by Blow went to post even money favourite. However he ironically went down a neck to Mullins runner Some Neck. This meant Mullins one the four principal races at the track over the weekend.

Over at Cork a lower grade card saw some unexpected winners. The biggest prize of the day saw James Barcoe and Cathal Landers team up to win the Kevin McManus Bookmaker Handicap Hurdle. The horse prevailed at 20/1 for apprentice Landers who had some notable jockeys in behind. Results saw he seven races shared between seven different trainers and jockeys.