Double ‘Crosse’ in Dundalk

Out of luck with Energumene at Ascot on the previous afternoon, champions Paul Townend and Willie Mullins bounced back as Cheltenham Festival hotpot Allaho landed the Grade 2 Horse & Jockey Hotel Chase for the second year running at Thurles on Sunday. The eight-year-old is a 5/4 favourite for the Ryanair Chase in March after he made all the running to beat Joseph O’Brien’s Fakir D’oudairies by 12 lengths.

“It took a good while for him to get warmed up. He was sticky over the first few fences and I thought he might have needed some company. He didn’t jump really well until the fourth or fifth fence but he flew the last and Paul said he was flying at the finish. We were very happy with him at home and that is it until the Ryanair - more than likely that is the race for him at Cheltenham,” said Mullins.

Charles Byrnes and Jack Foley won the near two-mile handicap hurdle with 9/2 shot Light Brigade. The six-year-old, owned by the trainer’s sister Patricia, came from off the pace to beat the Mary Ellen Doyle-trained Francois by a length and a half and the Byrnes said, “I’d say the better ground probably helped. Jack gave him a chance today as we were probably riding him a bit close. He came with the one run and gave him a beautiful ride - he won’t be claiming 5lbs for too long more.”

RUSSELL & ELLIOTT COMBINE

Davy Russell shared back-to-back winners Gordon Elliott as the trainer landed his second double of the week at Navan on Saturday. They landed both divisions of the Graigs Lane Maiden Hurdle with 10/1 chance Jaycean taking the opening leg by three and a quarter lengths from the Tom Gibney-trained Hemlock, which was ridden by Darragh O’Keeffe. It was easier again for 11/8 favourite Ash Tree Meadow which took the second division by five lengths from the Joseph O’Brien-trained Gracchus De Balme, the winner’s main market rival at odds of 15/8.

Brain Hayes also got in on the winning act as he landed the two and a half-mile handicap hurdle on the Colm Murphy-trained Macs Charm. Owned by the Macs Charm Syndicate, the 12/1 chance dug deep to hold off the late run of the Gordon Elliott-trained Banks Boy by half a length.

Enda Bolger took the three-mile beginners’ chase with the Mark Walsh-ridden Champagne Platinum. Owned by JP McManus, the 14/1 shot rallied well on the run in to pip the Henry de Bromhead-trained 5/4 favourite Ain’t That A Shame and Rachael Blackmore by a neck. Bolger commented, “He’s a talented horse, it’s just that he lost his way a bit. We are probably going to go to Punchestown for the cross-country chase and we’ll see then after that what way we go. He was very cautious with his jumping but one thing about him is he has an engine and he stayed on to the finish. It was close and I was wondering whether we were up or not. On paper it looked a nice enough beginners’ chase and I’m chuffed with him. It gets up going and it’s a nice surprise to get at the start of the year.”

DOUBLE ‘CROSSE’

Cahir brothers Nathan and Shane Crosse rode back-to-back winners at Dundalk on Friday night. Nathan was first into the winners’ enclosure as he took the opening division of the eight-furlong handicap on the John Cahilltrained Run The Jewels. Riding in the colours of owner Thomas James, Nathan Crosse brought the five-year-old home an easy one and three-parts of a length winner from 100/1 outsider Five Zeros, trained by Nigel Slevin. It was almost as comfortable for younger brother Shane who took the second division of the same race on Sarah Lynam’s Royal Scholar. The 100/30 chance travelled well on the heels of the leaders before coming through to win by a length and a half from 20/1 shot Persian Wolf which is trained by Lynam’s father, Edward.

Jake Coen rode the 11th winner of his fledgling career and his first for trainer Joseph O’Brien when partnering Sangria to a comfortable two-length success in the eight-furlong handicap for three-year-olds. The 9/2 chance came from a little off the pace to lead inside the final furlong and win from the John McConnell-trained 9/4 favourite Cousin Shay, the mount of Donagh O’Connor.

UPCOMING FIXTURES

Gowran Park – Thursday, January 27 (first race 1pm); Dundalk – Friday, January 28 (first race 4.30pm); Fairyhouse – Saturday, January 29 (first race 12.30pm); Naas – Sunday, January 30 (first race 1.10pm).