Search
Cheltenham 2024
- Main Site
- Cheltenham Home
- Cheltenham Cards
- Cheltenham Results
- Cheltenham Offers
- Cheltenham Odds
- Cheltenham Tips
- Cheltenham News
- Prestbury Cup
- Cheltenham Videos
-
Cheltenham Statistics
- Leading Trainer
- Leading Jockeys
- Leading Owners
- Previous Years
- Previous Appearances
- Breeding Profile of Winners
- Lady Jockeys at The Festival
- Leading Jockey Award Winners
- Most Successful Jockeys of All Time
- Current Jockeys Competing at Cheltenham
- Most Successful Jockey In..
- Leading Trainer Award Winners
- Most Successfull Trainer All Time
- Current Trainers Competing at Cheltenham
- Most Successful Trainer In..
- Cheltenham Trainer/Runner Index
- Desktop Site
Cheltenham 2024
- Home
- News
Donal Murphy
Valac disappoints as Cradle gets off the mark
Cradle Mountain is ridden out by Donnacha O'Brien with Valac back in second
© Photo Healy Racing
Donnacha O'Brien recorded his first winner of the Flat Turf Season as he partnered Cradle Mountain to victory in the last at Naas, the Best Price Guarantee At thetote.com Median Auction Maiden.
Trained by O'Brien's father Aidan the son of Mastercraftsman was well-beaten on his debut at Cork in October of last year before again finishing down the field at Dundalk in April.
He kept on well to finish second to Castlelyons at Cork on Monday last and he was sent off the 5/1 second favourite this evening.
Having raced in mid-division earlier on he was sent to the front after two furlongs and he was ridden over two furlongs out when joined by Valac
He regained the lead over a furlong from home and he kept on well under pressure from there, going on to score comfortably by two and three parts of a length.
Valac, who was sent off the 4/7 favourite, finished a disappointing second under Pat Smullen for Dermot Weld while Newberry New (10/1) was a further half a length back in third under Declan McDonogh for Jessica Harrington.
Aidan O'Brien said afterwards: "He's tough and kept at it well. He likes an ease in the ground."
The winner, who holds entries in the Irish 2000 Guineas and the Irish Derby, is a half-brother to Ruscello who won a Group 3 in Australia for Ed Walker.
Additional reporting by Alan Magee