Arthur Moore seems to have a crack two mile summer chaser on his hands if Saturday's runaway victory by French import Coq De Mirande in the Kemper Insurance Novive Chase at Navan is anything to go by.
Sent off the 11/8 second favourite, Conor O'Dwyer sent the grey straight into a significant lead after flagfall and, helped by an impeccable round of jumping and the tragic exit of the chasing Embellished at the fifth last, he came home with his head in his chest some fifteen lengths clear of Rash Decision.
'He's a very good jumper and he'll run next at Wexford in a winners chase over two miles and a furlong. After that he'll head for Galway but lets get Wexford out of the way first,' said a jubilant Arthur Moore, who purchased the gelding on behalf of the R.A.S.K. Syndicate which includes some former owners of the ill-fated Graphic Equaliser.
Aidan O'Brien's Chamela Bay was all the rage in the ring before the EBF Fillies Maiden, tumbling from 7/2 to a warm 7/4 favourite, but it was easy-to-back market rival Taraza, a 14 length runner-up to Epsom Derby hero Galileo last October, that won the day for the John Oxx/John Murtagh alliance.
The efficiency of the starting stalls was subject of much debate afterwards as it appeared several horses drawn low were dealt a raw deal when their respective stall opened a second or two later than the others.
A stewards enquiry was called after the stalls failure on horses drawn one to twelve and following the investigation, the matter was referred to the Turf Club and an overhaul of the starting equipment was also ordered by the officials.
Jim O'Neill, assistant to John Oxx, was surprised after Taraza, ironically drawn in stall number nine, stayed on well to score, ' we didn't think she was 100% fit but she did it well and has potential. We'll step her up to listed class over a 1m4f but she does need a bit a cut.'
Richest race of the afternoon was the #35,000 Kemper Insurance Handicap Hurdle and for favourite backers the outcome was sweet when Barry Geraghty conjured up with a winning effort aboard 2/1 shot Aunt Aggie to defeat a brave Hill Society by two-and-a-half lengths.
'It's always special when the homebreds win and I'll find something similar for her before she goes over fences possibly in the Spring,' said O'Grady of the J.P. McManus-owned and bred six-year-old.
Piltown trainer Frances Crowley, successful with Peruvian Athlete in the opener, completed a double in the finale when Atitandall and amateur rider Gareth Power justified strong support from 3/1 to 5/2 favouritism.
