Curragh trainer John Oxx deservedly opened his account for the new flat campaign at a packed Cork yesterday when Takali justified favouritism in the Conna Maiden under stable-jockey John Murtagh.
'I've never had so many horses run well without winning anything at this stage of the season but thankfully this fellow came home in front,' said Oxx, after he greeted the son of Kris, owned by HH Aga Khan, back to the winners enclosure.
'He ran better than his work at Leopardstown last week (2nd to Muakaad) and he smartened up for the run. He comes from a nice family and is a half-brother to Takariya,' added the Currabeg trainer.
Arthur Moore and Barry Cash captured the honours with a near 15 to 1 brace sparked off with J.P. McManus' Outlook Good in the two-and-a-half mile maiden hurdle before Lyreen Wonder got his act together over fences in the Heineken Chase.
Mick Fitzgerald whose last visit to the southern track was 'back in 1986' finished seven lengths adrift on Cockney Lad. ' I wasn't too hard on my fellow when I knew he was beaten but the winner isn't a bad horse - I rode him to win over hurdles at Chepstow,' said Fitzgerald.
Regarding Cockney Lad's participation in today's Irish Grand National, he added,' I haven't spoke to Noel (Meade) but I'd say it's unlikely he'll run.'
Meanwhile on Saturday, championship leader Barry Geraghty brought his seasonal tally to seventy-five, sixteen clear of nearest pursuer Conor O'Dwyer, when initiating a brace aboard Edward O'Grady's Message Recu in the Bathroom Designs And Tiles Maiden Hurdle over two miles.
Carrying the colours of the twelve strong Cathedral Syndicate, including Galway Chairman and Steward of the Turf Club Ray Rooney, the well supported 13 to 8 chance came home with one length to spare over Discerning Air and Paul Hourigan.
Half-an-hour later Hourigan, riding his father Michael's Scallybuck in the handicap chase, found one too good in the shape of the Andrew Lee-trained Decanter on which winning rider Mick Murphy picked up a two day ban for using his whip excessively.
However, it transpired afterwards Hourigan had a very valid excuse. Last seasons champion claimer dislocated his shoulder close home when driving Scallybuck in pursuit of the eventual winner and was taken to Mallow Hospital.
Geraghty completed his 25 to1 brace in the featured Murphys Handicap Hurdle when teaming up with Frances Crowley's Lodge Hill. The Meathman produced the 9 to 1 shot with a perfectly timed challenge to head Ellenjay close home to scoop the #13,000 winners purse for the Skibbereen-based Illen Syndicate.
'He prefers better ground and that was a worry beforehand but Barry (Geraghty) said it was perffect. He'll eventually go over fences,' said Ms Crowley.
The race was tinged with sadness as the Pat Hughes-trained Belle Star, who arrived full of running at the penultimate flight for Philip Carberry, suffered a fatal fall.
Kevin Prendergast's Yara, runner-up to Fasliyev in the Group 1 Heinz 57 at Leopardstown last August, had to settle for the runner-up berth yet again - eight times from nine runs - behind Aidan O'Brien's newcomer Paper Moon and Mick Kinane.
The winner, purchased for 120,000 gns. as a yearling by Demi O'Byrne for the all-powerful John Magnier/Michael Tabor alliance is a half-sister to eight winners including Prix Marcel Boussac scorer, Mary Linoa.
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