Winner Jazz Ranger (Jonathan Moore, nearside) jumps the last with Best Kept Secret© Photo Healy Racing
In much the same way as previous winner, Noble Emperor Jazz Ranger was turned out quickly after being let down by his jumping at one of the Christmas festivals. He sprung a 16/1 surprise under Jonathan Moore in the Festival Hospitality On Sale 3-y-o Maiden Hurdle. Best Kept Secret jumped to his left at the last but despite tending to 'lug' a bit that way himself at times Jazz Ranger gamely found more when the need was greatest for a two length win.
Best Kept Secret (25/1) wasn't the only Aidan O'Brien runner in the field. His King Of Aragon headed the betting but he was making no impression in third when getting the last badly wrong. He ended up in fourth.
"I took a chance running him at Leopardstown but he jumped left. He'd a nice run here before that going right-handed," commented winning trainer Pat Fahy on the Martin Cullinane-owned three-year-old.
"Liz Connolly has done some work on him since his last run as he was a bit sore under the saddle and around the breast area. I will get Liz to work on him again to iron out any problems before his next run.
"I told Jonathan to ride him handy. He's a horse that has always done nice bits of work, and it's great to see him doing it on the track."
B.J. Cooper, rider of Calin Des Ongrais (FR) trained by Gordon Elliott, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount lost his action at the back of the third last hurdle.
The Turf Club Veterinary Officer examined Calin Des Ongrais (FR), trained by Gordon Elliott, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be slightly lame post race. The gelding was also found to have a respiratory tract infection on endoscopic examination post race.
The Stewards requested a report from P.A.Fahy, trainer, as to the apparent improvement in form of Jazz Ranger, placed first, as compared with its recent run four days ago at Leopardstown when beaten 54 lengths.
P.A. Fahy reported that his charge lost considerable ground at some of the hurdles at Leopardstown when jumping sharply to the left whereas today he reverted back to a right handed track where he had previously finished fourth and jumped better while being ridden more prominently and had the benefit of a seven pound riders allowance. Having considered the evidence the Stewards noted the content of the report.
(AM & EM)
