Punters were treated to a thrilling finish in the featured Woodlands Park 100 Slaney Novice Hurdle at Naas yesterday when Canary Wharf battled back gamely after a mistake at the last under Barry Geraghty to land the spoils for Ballinasloe handler John Bleahan.
Bred by his owner Frank O'Malley, Canary Wharf poached a couple of lengths up front after the third last and rounding the home turn still held the call with warm favourite Over The Bar and Thari giving chase in behind. The gap narrowed quickly with every stride after he blundered at the last but much to the credit of the 7/1 chance he battled on well to lead where it mattered.
'This is dream stuff for me,' said Bleahan who, when asked about Cheltenham replied, ' I've been there once in my life and was privileged just to be there. To bring a horse there would be a dream - I'd need to get advice on that but if he does go he'd only have one more run beforehand.'
The race was one of mixed emotions for John Bleahan, who was close to tears in the winners enclosure after recording his biggest training success. 'There was two deaths close to me on Friday - my aunt and Robbie Treacy who died of a heart attack at the age of 48. It was in the balance whether we'd run this horse here or not.'
Veteran Goresbridge handler Paddy Mullins appears to hold a strong hand in the four-year-old hurdle category this term and he produced another potential Triumph Hurdle conqueror in the shape of useful flat campaigner Turtle Back, who simply stormed home under Mark Madden in the Sallins Maiden Hurdle.
'He's a decent horse and did nothing wrong there,' said Mullins, who trains the former sprinter for the Ratoath based Cabin Hill Syndicate from Ratoath. Bookmakers reacted by quoting the smooth two-and-a-half length winner at a best price 25/1 for the Triumph while stable companion Turtleback, also at 25's for the opening contest on the third day of the Cheltenham Festival, looks set to move yards. 'He mightn't run for us next time and that's all I can say at the moment,' revealed his handler.
Edward O'Grady's Takagi justified favouritism in the EBF Novice Chase prompting some layers to slash his Sun Alliance Chase price to 20/1 from 33's while winning rider Norman Williamson was later seen at his brilliant best when conjuring up a winning effort aboard Michael O'Brien's Brendan Shine in the maiden hurdle.
Inca Trail, a full-brother to Best Mate, was all the rage in the ring before the concluding bumber and his home reputation proved accurate as he led his rivals a merry dance coming home nine lengths clear in the hands of Philip Fenton.
'I hope he's as good as the reputation that preceded him. He'll run in a winners bumper at Leopardstown later this month or else go straight to Cheltenham,' said O'Grady whose charge is a best price 12/1 for the Champion Bumper in March.
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