Edward O'Grady's Nick Dundee made a winning seasonal reappearance at Cork yesterday when making every yard a winning one in the three-runner Buttevant To Doneraile Chase but sadly it emerged afterwards that his racing days could now be over.
Off the track since unseating yesterday's pilot Norman Williamson in the Red Mills Chase at Gowran Park last February, the nine-year-old was easy to back in the ring, opening at 1/4 and eventually going off the 2/5 market leader.
A mistake at the second and another error five out didn't do much to inspire confidence but he still held the call rounding the home turn. The chasing Bregogue looked a big threat over the third last with Clash Of The Gales, who was later reported to have burst, coming under pressure but the odds-on chance kept on, albeit in workmanlike fashion, to land the spoils.
'Relieved,' was the immediate post race reaction of trainer Edward O'Grady before he reflected, 'I felt he was a little lonely in front on his own. He definitely blew like a horse who had been off a long time.'
However, half-an-hour after passing the post three-and-a-half lengths in front of Bregogue, Edward O'Grady revealed, 'Nick Dundee is not sound in front and subject to talking to his owners retirement is now a considered option with him.'
Knife Edge followed up on his Naas success last month when recording a smooth success under Tom Rudd in the O'Connell Transport Hilly Way Chase.
Sent to the front over the third last, the even money favourite forged clear to defeat close market rival Moscow Express by three lengths, prompting Cork firm Cashmans to cut Michael O'Brien's charge to 16/1 (from 20/1) for the Queen Mother Champion Chase next March.
Charles Byrnes' Barrow Boy and Philip O'Brien set a blistering pace to land the three mile O'Connell Warehousing Novice Hurdle by a distance but his task was eased when well supported favourite Davenport Milenium and Ruby Walsh came to grief at the penultimate flight when giving chase.
Championship leader Paul Carberry stood himself down for the remainder of the afternoon after he suffered a bruised leg in a fall from Bandon Valley in the Tote Exacta Handicap Hurdle won by top-weight Keevers and Pat Crowley.
Winning trainer John Kiely followed up later in the penultimate ESB Maiden Hurdle when Charlie Swan scored aboard well-backed Touch Supreme at the expense of Sir Onside before he completed a treble for the afternoon courtesy of newcomer Killamery and Davy Russell in the concluding bumper.
