More Than A Stroll overcame a six month lay-off to land the Anglo Irish Bank Munster National in the hands of Conor O'Dwyer at Limerick yesterday afternoon.
Arthur Moore's charge made most of the running in this 60,000 euro event, which was reduced to six runners following the withdrawal of Foxchapel King due to firm patches of ground on the track. Arctic Copper threw down a challenge in the straight, but O'Dwyer's mount kept on well to score by a length. 'I was very hopeful beforehand as he was in good form. He has a number of options now including the Beecher Chase at Aintree next month, and the Troytown at Navan,' said Moore.
Fiery Ring caused an upset when making all under Ross Geraghty to take the Ladbrokes Ireland Kilbegnet EBF Novice Chase. The complete outsider of the six runner line-up, John Fowler's charge survived a blunder at the first fence but hardly put a foot wrong after that in beating Ansar by seven lengths.
'He hurdled the first but got away with it, and it put manners on him', said Fowler before adding, 'The ground is the key as he must have it good, and that will determine where we go with him.'
Paul Carberry took over from Garrett Cotter (sick) on Putsometnby in the EBF Novice Chase, and Kevin O'Brien's charge headed Cloudy Bays two out to land the spoils in this four-runner event.
Edward O'Grady saddled the first winner when Greenmount Park opened its gates last October, and he repeated the act when Colonel Monroe drew clear before the straight under Norman Williamson in the two and a half miles novice hurdle to beat the heavily-backed Moss Bawn by six lengths. 'He's a nice jumper, and will stay at that sort of trip. The fact that the race cut up was a big help,' said O'Grady.
Indeed ground conditions was one of the main talking points of the afternoon as the official good (firm in places) was a lot faster than anticipated. There was a total of 18 non-runners on the eight race card.
Always Game held on by a diminishing three quarters of a length from Stero Heights in the two and a half miles handicap hurdle, and trainer Tom Taaffe commented afterwards, 'He wants decent ground, and has taken time to grow up mentally. He may have another run or I could put him away now until next year.'
Alan Magee
