Garrett Cotter warmed up for his ride on Merry People in the Martell Grand National on Saturday by partnering Northern Sound to land the featured Handicap Chase at the FBD Insurance sponsored meeting in Mallow yesterday.
The John Roche-trained mare led before the last to beat Cockney Lad by two and a half lengths. 'She stays and jumps well, is improving all the time, and will go now for the Irish National,' said Roche.
Odds-on supporters of the Aidan O'Brien stable suffered a second reverse in the space of 24 hours when Tribal Drum was narrowly beaten by fellow newcomer Mowassel in the two-year-old maiden. Stephen Craine, who missed the closing weeks of last season after breaking an ankle, opened his account for the new campaign when driving out the son of General Monash to hold the renewed effort of the 2/7 favourite by a head.
Tobaranama initiated a double for Dermot Weld and Pat Smullen in the fillies maiden. The three parts sister to Heinz 57 Stakes winner Pharoah's Delight, led off the home bend for a workmanlike three and a half lengths victory over Miss Catwalk. The well-fancied Tidy Wager was withdrawn after unseating her rider a couple of times at the starting stalls.
Lammas completed a 5/1 brace for the Weld/Smullen team when holding the late surge of odds-on newcomer Shayadi by a neck in the three-year-old maiden.
