MOSSEY Joe has emerged as a live candidate for the Galway Plate at Ballybrit in six weeks time, following a scintillating success in the three-and-a-half-mile WS Recycling Champion Hunter’s Chase at Stratford last Friday evening.

Trained in Cratloe by Declan McNamara for Ballina, Tipperary-born owner Willie Clifford, Mossey Joe went into Friday’s race facing a stiff test with dual Cheltenham Foxhunters winner Salsify and the talented Tammy’s Hill among the opposition but the 10-year-old proved well up to the challenge when running his more illustrious rivals ragged.

Not the easiest of rides due to being quite keen in his races, Mossey Joe (4/1) was allowed to bowl along in front by Tipperary jockey Damian Skehan and the pair had the race in the bag from a long way out when, despite a blunder at the final fence, the son of Moscow Society kept up a relentless gallop to beat top UK hunter chaser and former Cheltenham Festival winner Chapturgeon by 20 lengths.

Not surprisingly, winning trainer McNamara, who deserves great credit for his handling of the one-time 151-rated chaser, was thrilled with his latest success, saying, “That’s Mossey Joe’s fourth hunter chase win in-a-row and easily his best performance. Damian gave him a fantastic ride and he gets on like a house on fire with this horse. We sent him over five days before the race and he needed that time to recover. He is not a great traveller but he’s won and that’s all that matters.

“He is very much a summer horse and loves to race on a bit of nice ground. I’d be hoping to go for the Galway Plate with him as that’s a very prestigious race and one I know that the Clifford family, who also bred Mossey Joe, would very much like to win,” concluded the South-East Clare handler.

There was a further feather in the cap for connections of Mossey Joe when he picked up the Champion Hunter Chaser accolade at the point-to-point awards dance, which was held at the West County Hotel on Saturday night.

The function room at the Ennis venue was packed to capacity as pointing fans gathered to celebrate yet another hugely successful season with Derek O’Connor, on crutches due to a recent leg break, receiving a tumultuous reception as he made his way to the stage to pick up his 10th jockeys’ championship in-a-row.
Other award winners on the night included Mullingar trainer Dot Love, who picked-up the Special Merit Award, following her fairytale success in the Irish Grand National with ex-pointer Liberty Counsel.

There was more than a hint of sadness, however, when it came to the senior riders’ title, which went to Limerick rider John Thomas McNamara.

Currently in the spinal unit of Dublin’s Mater Hospital, where he continues to receive treatment for injuries sustained in a first-fence fall from Galaxy Rock in the Kim Muir Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in March, McNamara nominated his former weigh-room colleague, Quin trainer Brian Hassett, to collect the award on his behalf.

Glowing tributes were paid to McNamara and northern rider John Joe Bright, who is also battling a serious neck injury, during what was an emotional presentation with a huge outpouring of support for both riders as they continue their fight to recover from serious injury.

 

Trading Leather books place in Derby line-up

TRADING Leather booked his ticket to this year’s Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby when running out a good winner of the Listed TRM Silver Stakes at the Curragh on Sunday under Kevin Manning.

Jim Bolger’s charge, who finished third to Magician in the Irish 2,000 Guineas, was content to track leader Ansgar until mounting his bid for glory early on the home straight. The Teofilo colt quickly put the issue beyond doubt, with the 5/4 favourite forging clear for an emphatic three-and-a-half-length victory over Ballydoyle runner Lines Of Battle.

Bolger reported, “He’ll probably come back here for the Irish Derby on June 29. He was our back-up for Epsom but he won well here today and should stay a mile and a half. He is very straight-forward and has to have good ground. I hope this [good] weather lasts. He wouldn’t want it soft and would even prefer it faster.”

Bolger and Manning had earlier posted the first leg of what was a double for the Coolcullen duo when landing the opening six-furlong two-year-old maiden with 9/4 joint-favourite Freedom Square.

Making all the running, this Lawman colt kept going well in the closing stages to deny runner-up Shining Emerald by a length and a half. The winner, who was putting his two previous outings to good use, holds an entry in the Railway Stakes on Derby Day, which is likely to be his next port of call.

It was a sweltering afternoon at the County Kildare venue but that didn’t deter jockey Declan McDonagh, who shared the riding honours with Manning when also bagging two winners.

Eddie Lynam’s 10/1 shot, Regal Power, gave McDonagh his opening success when running on strongly to land the six-furlong TRM Excellence In Equine Nutrition Handicap.

Racing in the colours of the Power family of Paddy Power bookmaking fame, Regal Power lived up to his name when taking this speed event by the scruff of the neck as he powered ahead to deny top-weight Tarrsille by three-parts of a length.

McDonagh went on to complete his double in the concluding 12-furlong maiden where 9/10 favourite, Dabadiyan did backers a favour when slamming long-time leader Waver by four and a half lengths.

Meanwhile, Willie Mullins’ international raids continue to pay dividends with Ireland’s champion trainer on mark in France, where his Ruby Walsh-ridden Diakali landed a Grade One two-and-a-half-mile hurdle at Auetuil on Sunday.

Walsh opted to make all the running aboard the grey, who won the champion four-year-old hurdle at the Punchestown Festival in April.

That tactic proved successful as the Carlow raider ran on strongly to beat Paul Nicholls’ P’tit Zig with locally trained favourite Le Grand Luce coming home in third.