GRAND PLAN FOR THIS CAD
CADMIUM booked his ticket to the Grand Annual at Cheltenham when staying on to beat last years’ winner Doctor Phoenix in the Grade 3 Whatoddspaddy Chase in Naas yesterday
The seven-year-old had to dig deep to justify 4/6 favouritism, having been joined by the runner-up at the second last before asserting on the run-in to triumph by three lengths.
Cadmium was a second graded winner of the weekend for Willie Mullins and Paul Townend (circled), who also struck with Aintree Grand National-bound Rathvinden, on his seasonal debut in the Bobbyjo Chase, part of a stable double, at Fairyhouse on Saturday.
And Mullins said: “I never dreamed this fellow was Cheltenham material. But it’s good to win a Grade 3 with him today. And his owners are keen to go for the
Grand Annual – so that’s the plan.”
Winning rider
Townend added:
“He’s a good horse in his own right. A couple of good jumps set him alight across the bottom. But I knew
Davy would come at me, so I was trying to hold on to a bit. And he found plenty from the last.”
The Gordon Elliott-trained, favourite Chosen Mate proved a narrow winner of the featured Paddy Power Onside App Novice Hurdle (Grade 2).
Ridden by Davy Russell, Chosen Mate held the late flourish of four-year-old Hannon by a nose. Elliott said: “He’s a grand, honest horse. Davy changed tactics when Jetez fell and said he was just doing enough in front. “He was giving a lot of weight (14lb.) to the four-year-old, so it was a fair effort. He’s entered for Cheltenham, but we’ll keep him for Aintree.”
The winners’ bumper, won in 2006 by subsequent Cheltenham Bumper scorer Hairy Molly, went to odds-on favourite Midnight Run, ridden for Joseph O’brien and Gigginstown House Stud by Tom Hamilton.
A 5/6 shot, the Well Chosen gelding picked up well to beat Elliott’s two challengers, Column Of Fire and newcomer Easywork.
But Gigginstown spokesman Eddie O’leary ruled out a crack at the Cheltenham Bumper for the five-year-old, preferring to keep him for the Grade 1 bumper at the Punchestown Festival.
Gavin Cromwell, who reported Espor D’allen “in great nick” and on course for the Unibet Champion Hurdle, completed a handicap hurdle double with 14/1 outsider Livingstones Quest (Brien Kane) and Ming Dynasty (Ger Fox), both helped by recent wind operations.