There was a poignant win for connections of Blue Crush in the five furlong Davin Arms Nursery. Winning trainer Eddie Lynam reported that the former Cheltenham winning trainer Michael Purcell, brother-in-law of owner Phil Purcell had died earlier in the day. A minute's silence was observed for Purcell, from Thurles, who trained My View to win the 1992 Coral Hurdle under Jason Titley.
Bl ue Crush, was repeating last month's course and distance win under promising seven pound claimer Billy Lee, with the pair completing the race in a fast 56.7 seconds. A Listed race at the same venue next month is now on Blue Crush's agenda.
One hour later Peter Henley's Tigim bettered Blue Crush's time by 0.5 seconds when overcoming topweight of 10st to win the 50-75 Stone Thrower Handicap.
Tigim was completing a hat-trick for jockey Pat Cosgrave and has already been penalised 17lbs since gaining his initial win at Cork last month.
Aintree Grand National hero Monty's Pass ran a satisfactory prep race for the Kerry National next week in the Frank Hogan Mercedes Benz Novice Hurdle. Jimmy Mangan's stable star finished fifteen lengths fifth of six behind Edward O'Grady's Kickham in the 2m4f Novice Hurdle and is now due to contest Listowel's Kerry National next Wednesday, while O'Grady is planning a return trip to Tipperary for Kickham next month.
Trainer John Oxx bagged a double, the first of which was gained in the opening 1m1f 2YO Maiden when Comique defeated Aidan O'Brien's 2/5 favourite Mikado.
Opera Comique was the first two year old success of the season (from six runners) for Oxx, while jockey Fran Berry reported the daughter of Singspiel as being 'very green.' 'Slim' O'Neill, representing Oxx, mentioned that the 3/1 winner will now have one more run this season.
Newcomer Mikado looked as if he would benefit from the run after staying on inside the final furlong for a one and a half length second.
Oxx completed his double when Vintage Port belied a lack of market confidence (4/6 - 11/10 favourite) when landing the mile and a half maiden under Johnny Murtagh. The winner had previously finished runner-up on his last two starts, but made no mistake here when making all for a three and a half length win.
Aidan O'Brien gained compensation for Mikado's defeat in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden with 4/9 favourite Cornwall, who ran out a highly impressive winner under Mick Kinane. Cornwall had finished third on his debut at The Curragh and benefited from that experience here. The son of Danehill jumped out and made all, eventually defeating Class Reunion by an easy five lengths.
An impressed Aidan O'Brien later described Cornwall as 'a lovely horse who will need more time to develop fully.'
The two mile 3YO Maiden Hurdle saw Imazulutoo (7/2) reverse form with well backed Corrib Boy (4/6 - 1/2) when winning for trainer Jessica Harrington and jockey Barry Geraghty. Imazulutoo had previously finished fourteen lengths behind Corrib Boy when third at Roscommon but, according to Harrington 'was way more relaxed and settled a lot better here.' Imazulutoo will now either run in a winners' of one hurdle or revert to the Flat.
Geraghty later completed a double when the Harry Rogers' trained Fullasoul ran out a well backed winner of the concluding Super Sunday At Tipperary Handicap Hurdle, to complete a hat-trick of wins for connections.
Thomas Weekes
