Bioluminescence shines on first start over fences at Limerick
In Bioluminescence Victory To Racing Limerick Two Chase At Mares O'connor Run En Derek Smart Picture: healy Grade And Dawn Effort: Route The Novice
On a day when Gavin Cromwell and JP McManus bagged the Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown, Bioluminescence, a Grade Three winner over hurdles, made a pleasing start to her career over fences for the partnership, landing the Grade Two McMahons Builders Providers Irish EBF Dawn Run Mares Novice Chase in Limerick.
Second leg of a Limerick double for the owner-trainer combination, the six-year-old jumped soundly for Derek O’Connor, asserted between the last two fences and, despite idling, stayed on to beat Paggane by three lengths.
“She’s a big mare with a jump to match,” stated the winning rider. “Her jumping is unbelievable and she’s a ferocious galloper. Gavin has done a great job with her and I’m sure she’ll be going out in trip. This was a fair effort, going straight into a Grade Two on her first run over fences.”
Speaking from Leopardstown, Cromwell added: “To be honest, I haven’t looked beyond today. But she’s such a good jumper that she’ll go wherever she’ll get very soft ground and plenty of fences.”
The McManus double had been initiated when four-year-old Walk In The Park filly Uhavemeinstitches landed the opening Earl Of Harrington Mares Maiden Hurdle, despite showing signs of inexperience when hitting the front.
Out of her trainer Colin Motherway’s 2010 Irish Grand National winner Bluesea Cracker, the 7/2 shot was ridden to victory by Simon Torrens.
Motherway commented: “She’s a lovely filly, one we’ve always liked. She ran here in the spring and filled out over the summer in Martinstown.
“Simon said it was straightforward, although she ran around a bit when she hit the front. There should be plenty of improvement in her.”
The McManus silks were carried by three of the six runners in the Tim & Martin Molony Veterans Handicap Chase. But the trio proved no match for Robert Tyner’s Big Debates, confidently handled by 7lb claimer James Smith to bolt up by 16 lengths from favourite Donkey Years.
Grade One placed as a novice but without a win in almost three years, Meet And Greet took the Goggin Buckley Hurdle for trainer Oliver McKiernan and Phillip Enright.
Outsider of the five runners at 9-1, the eight-year-old jumped to the front two from home before seeing off Jigoro and favourite Karl Des Toiurelles with authority.
“He was off a long time with an injury and needed his comeback run at Punchestown,” said McKiernan. “To be honest, I thought he’d need another run, so I’m delighted he’s back in the winner’s enclosure.
“He’s a gent of a horse and Phillip gave him a great ride. Keeping him sound is the challenge now.”
Experiencing a disappointing start to the Christmas period (three winners from 47 runners over the two days), Willie Mullins salvaged his only winner on the day when Strutter, formerly with Nicky Henderson, justified 2-1 favouritism, on his stable debut, in the Grant Thornton Ladies Handicap Hurdle.
Ridden by Jody Townend, he mastered Storm Mahler after the second last flight falls of leader Doyen For A Drink and Sarah Beara.