SHINROCK PADDY confirmed himself an exciting prospect with a runaway win in the Barry and Sandra Kelly Memorial Hurdle at Navan yesterday for Paul Nolan and Alain Cawley.
It was a second Grade One win in a week for the pair following Joncol’s success in the John Durkan at Punchestown.
The 7 to 2 chance joined long-time leader The Hurl four out, travelling strongly, and jumped three from home with a clear advantage.
Rhyl Accord, the 11 to 10 favourite, was tracking him but Cawley’s mount soon opened up a gap and cruised clear for a 15-length success.
William Hill go 12 from 25s about Shinrock Paddy for the Neptune Investment Management Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham, while Paddy Power make him 10 to 1 favourite for the same race.
Nolan said: “I was a little worried when they were leaving the back straight as ‘Squeaky’ (Cawley) was changing his hands on him.
“It was a brave thing of him to kick on approaching the straight but it worked out well.
“The plan was always to come here and he jumped really well today. We will aim for Cheltenham Festival now. We’ll either go for the Neptune Investment Novices’ Hurdle or the Albert Bartlett.”
Cousin Vinny had to settle for minor honours on his fencing debut as Roberto Goldback came out on top in the Larry Rowan Memorial Beginners Chase.
Jessica Harrington’s charge was sent off at 6 to 4 having fallen five from home in the Drinmore Novice Chase on his latest outing and went to challenge for the lead turning for home.
Cousin Vinny, winner of the 2008 Champion Bumper and placed twice in Grade One company over hurdles, tracked him into the straight under Ruby Walsh and appeared to have his measure jumping the second-last.
The pair took the final obstacle in unison but it was the race-fit Roberto Goldback who got away from it the quicker, running on to score by four lengths.
Harrington said: “I thought we were going to go close in the Drinmore before he fell. We might miss Christmas now as he’s had three very close races and we had to come back here today because things hadn’t gone right for him.”
Willie Mullins was happy with the effort of Cousin Vinny, saying: “He has always looked like a chaser in his jumping, even over hurdles, he’s very safe and careful. That will help sharpen him up.”
Noel Meade’s Donnas Palm secured his third successive victory over hurdles in the Grade Two Giltspur Scientific Tara Hurdle.
In a race run at a crawl for almost a circuit Barry Geraghty settled the five-year-old in second for much of the contest but took over from Scotsirish two out to score by two and a half lengths.
Meanwhile, Quel Esprit staked a big claim for Cheltenham Festival honours with an effortless victory at Cork. The Willie Mullins-trained gelding treated his rivals with contempt as he strolled home in the O’Connell Transport Cork Stayers Novice Hurdle.
Leading after the second-last, the 8 to 13 shot won unchallenged by three lengths from Last Draw in the hands of Paul Townend to follow up his hurdling debut success at Punchestown a month ago.
Victor Chandler were “massively impressed” and make him 8 to 1 clear favourite from 14 to 1 for the Neptune Investment Management Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham on March.
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