Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
DYNAMITE DOUBLE
Mouse explodes back with first dual win since Fairyhouse 2016
MOUSE MORRIS took the training honours with a double, highlighted by the victory of French Dynamite in the Horse & Jockey Rated Novice Hurdle, in Thurles yesterday. Morris described French Dynamite as “a big baby” following his workmanlike defeat of favourite The Bosses Oscar (made errors three out and at the last), the pair finishing 21 lengths clear of thirdplaced Anything Will Do. Wearing cheekpieces for the first time, Dynamite was scoring at the venue of his maiden success, before being thrown-in at the deep end behind Envoi Allen in a Grade 1 in Naas.
“The cheekpieces make him concentrate,” said Morris. “We’ll take small steps with him. But he’ll make a nice chaser next year.”
And the trainer has a similar plan for the consistent Whats no to know in the wake of his victory over The Broghie Man in the thurles.ie Maiden Hurdle. Rachael Blackmore’s mount prevailed readily by three and a half lengths.
It was the trainer’s first double since Easter Monday 2016 in Fairyhouse, the day Rogue Angel won the Irish Grand National for him.
Joseph O’brien, on the mark with Calidus Mirabilis (Ben Curtis) in Chelmsford, also struck with 8/11 favourite Sempo ( J J Slevin), which made virtually all to win the Holycross Maiden Hurdle convincingly.
Brendan Powell, representing O’brien, said: “He’s a grand horse. He jumps well and stays all day. I don’t know what Joseph is planning with him. But he’ll make a cracking chaser.”
O’brien will hope to continue on his winning ways in Dundalk tonight where Crossfirehurricane might be capable of conceding weight to Orchid Gardens in the View Restaurant At Dundalk Stadium Race.
A son of Kitten’s Joy and likely to be suited by the polytrack, the Carriganog colt will be helped by the 7lb claim of teenager Mikey Sheehy.
Jerandme might give Chris Hayes his first winner of 2020 in the Crowne Plaza Dundalk Race & Stay Maiden.
Winner of two bumpers and a maiden hurdle, he hasn’t run since chasing home Forest View at Roscommon in July. But a reproduction of his solid second to subsequent Irish Cesarewitch winner Royal Illusion at Leopardstown last June would suffice.