Newmill had enough in reserve to hold off Mariah Rollians

By John O'Sullivan

The recent meeting at Fairyhouse proved to be a glorious venue for the decision making process as to the distribution of three Group 1 National Hunt races on the card. The first of these events was the Boylesports Royal Bond Novice hurdle over two miles.

Good office money during the previous week ensured that the Jessica Harrington-trained five-year-old gelded son of Bob Back (Strike Back) would start off as favourite. On the other hand, the five-year-old Norwich gelding carrying the torch for Clonakilty trainer Thomas O'Leary, Newmill, was allowed to drift from 9/2 to 13/2 in the market.

This was in spite of the fact that he is a Landrover bumper winner but had flopped in his next race, which again was a bumper in Tipperary, before defeating Definite Best in a hurdle race at Wexford. He followed up this effort by occupying the runner-up berth behind Accordian Etoile in a Group 3 event at Navan.

Garrett Cotter is regarded as being one of our top second line jockeys. He is highly respected as a professional rider and gets a reasonable living from his chosen career, but the big breakthrough is still being awaited by this likeable and dedicated young man.

His performance at Fairyhouse will do his career prospects no harm as he skipped the field from flagfall, stretching his lead to 20 lengths at one stage, before giving his mount a breather at Ballyhack.

This manoeuvre insured that Newmill had enough in energy reserve to hold off Mariah Rollians by a length at the line.

Two things I take from this victory by Newmill are, number one, the winning gelding is by the Top Ville horse Norwich, and number two, I would consider the race to be of poor quality for a Group 1 contest.

The Pierse Group Drinmore Novice Chase run over two and a half miles was expected to be carried home by Pizarro. This six-year-old gelded son of Broken Hearted won the Cheltenham bumper and was the only horse to beat Solerina as a novice hurdler.

He eventually finished second to Hardy Eustace in the Sun Alliance Novice hurdle at Cheltenham and he opened his fencing campaign in encouraging form at Clonmel.

The only other runner in the field who had collateral form with Hardy Eustace was the Francis Crowley-trained six-year-old gelding Nil Desperandum. He won three times last season and finished up a three-quarter length second to the Dessie Hughes horse at Leopardstown.

Coincidentally, he beat another Dessie Hughes-trained yardstick in the shape of Central House when making his chasing debut at Punchestown. He jumped superbly to land the contest and he too is by a Top Ville stallion.

Whereas the quality of the field he demolished on Sunday looked reasonable, only time will tell, but his exploits over hurdles last season should leave no one in any doubt about the horse's inherent ability.

The Ballymore Properties Hatton's Grace hurdle was won by the Bowes with their great mare Solerina. She is by Toulon (who is also by Top Ville). She registered her eight win over hurdles when leading her stable companion and half-brother, Florida Coast, to the line.

This adds to the three other times the Bowes have won this race with Limestone Lad.