Cane claims Troytown glory
Cane Brake gave Barry Geraghty back-to-back wins in the williamhill.ie Troytown Handicap Chase with a clear-cut victory in the Navan feature.
The seven-year-old took over from long-time leader Southern Vic, the hot favourite but shouldering a big weight, at the third-last.
Having his second run for Tom Taaffe after being with David Wachman, the 10-1 shot stayed on strongly to score by 10 lengths from Kerryhead Windfarm.
On The Net was third, with Lordofourown just edging the gallant Southern Vic for fourth.
Taaffe said: “I have to thank David Wachman. He told me last summer to take this fellow and train him – the change of scenery can do them good and it has worked with this fellow.
“I’m not sure where we’ll go next, we’ll have to wait and see (what the handicapper does).”
Geraghty, successful in this three-mile contest on Prince Of Tara 12 months ago, was completing a near 20-1 double having earlier struck on Lounaos.
The Eoin Griffin-trained filly shot to prominence in the JCB Triumph Hurdle betting with a debut victory over timber in the Newgrange Hotel 3-y-o Maiden Hurdle.
Lounaos (9-10), winner of the November Handicap on the level at Leopardstown earlier this month, stayed on well to account for Sophist by three lengths.
“I haven’t been nervous in a while about a race, but I was nervous today,” admitted the trainer.
“The ground was a bit heavier than she would want and it was also her first time over hurdles. We are pleased with the way she did it and Barry said she will be better on better ground.
“We’ll aim at the Durkan New Homes Juvenile Hurdle at Christmas. She’ll get an entry for the Grade Three at Fairyhouse on Saturday, but we’ll see how she comes out of this first.”
Boylesports were impressed and make her the 14-1 favourite for the Triumph. William Hill and Sean Graham go 20-1 and Cashmans a more cautious 25-1.
Footy Facts showed he is a smart recruit with a smooth victory in the Bank Of Ireland “Monksfield” Novice Hurdle.
Robert Tyner’s six-year-old quickened up between the final two flights in the hands of Ruby Walsh and strode clear of Casey Jones after the last.
The 1-2 shot took the Grade Three contest in good style by nine lengths and the first two were clear of the third Derravarra Eagle.
Cashmans shortened the winner to 6-1 second-favourite (from 8s) for the Brit Insurance Novices’ Hurdle at the Festival.
“He schooled well earlier in the week but two and a half here is like three miles anywhere else,” said Tyner.
“He’ll come back here in three weeks for the Barry and Sandra Kelly Novice Hurdle all being well.”
Aran Concerto could return for the same novice hurdle back at Navan next month after he made amends for an unlucky run on his previous start by hacking up in the INH Stallion Owners EBF Maiden Hurdle.
Noel Meade’s highly-rated six-year-old led three out and came home unchallenged by 14 lengths from The Very Man.
Those who took the 4-11 about Paul Carberry’s mount never had any cause for concern, and Meade said: “He’s an exceptional horse. He has done things I have not seen a horse do.
“For a horse of his size, he has the speed of a Flat horse and will go three miles.
“He’s bred to be a plodder, but he’s definitely not slow and can work with milers.
“He schooled over hurdles the other morning, but he missed out four out of eight so I put him over six fences and he jumped brilliantly. Hurdles are just two small for him.
“He might come back for the Barry and Sandra Kelly Novice Hurdle if he’s OK.”
The Zaffaran gelding was cut to 12-1 second-favourite from 20-1 for the Ballymore Properties Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival with VC Bet, and is 14-1 for the same race with both Sean Graham and William Hill.
