Enda Bolger believes he has a future replacement for Cheltenham Festival cross-country chase winner Spot Thedifference after saddling Good Step to take the featured Garryrichard Stud Tetratema Cup in testing conditions at Gowran Park.
Good Step was just touched off by First Down Jets at the Fairyhouse Easter meeting last week but gained revenge here, leading at the last for John Thomas McNamara and driven right out to beat that rival by three quarters of a length.
'The Ladies Cup next stop,' was Bolger's immediate reaction as the J P McManus-owned gelding will be sent over the banks at Punchestown later this month. 'He could be a Sporting Index horse for Cheltenham next year, a substitute for Spot Thedifference.'
First Down Jet's rider Colman Sweeney went one better later on in the mares bumper where Oscar Orange ran out an impressive winner.
Andrew Duff (20) opened his account under rules in style when partnering a 135/1 double aboard How Ironic and King Of Killeen. Duff, from Tara in Co. Meath, teamed up with neighbour Tucker Geraghty to land the mares maiden hunters chase with How Ironic. The seven-year-old led four out and just held the challenge of Monas Run as the pair crossed the line separated by the width of the track.
Duff, who has ridden seven winners between the flags, took the maiden hunters chase in contrasting fashion on King Of Killeen, stretching clear after two out to beat Was I Right by 20 lengths. 'He would prefer goodish ground but that was quite loose and he flew through it. He's a nice horse to go chasing with over the summer,' said trainer Gerry Keane of the dual point-to-point winner.
The leading amateur Niall Madden successfully teamed up with his father and namesake in the bumper where Pedros Brief was driven clear inside the final furlong to beat Get The Edge by four lengths.
Ballela Lad put his hurdling experience to good use when making all under Colin Motherway in the two and a half miles maiden hurdle. A good jump at the last by Richie Rath's charge settled the issue as he stayed on strongly to beat Hardy Fella by three and a half lengths. 'I had this race in mind after he won a point-to-point at Tinahely this year but he subsequently got a head-cold and that knocked our confidence a bit,' said the Blackwater trainer.
Favourite backers finally got some relief in the three miles maiden hunters chase where Whyso Mayo struck the front entering the straight under Damian Murphy when beating Tyrone Trucker by two and a half lengths.
Alan Magee
