Whatever President Trump might think about climate change, they know all about it at Thurles Racecourse.
The first two scheduled jump meetings of this new season at the mid Tipperary track had to be called off weeks in advance due to hard ground.
To fill the void somewhat, they ran their first flat meeting for over a decade.
That proved quite successful with many flat jockeys and trainers recommending that racing “on the level” should return permanently next summer.
In any event their jumps season belatedly kicked off on Thursday on good to firm ground.
The opening beginners chase looked a pretty modest affair to say the least of it.
But Ross O’Sullivan won’t be complaining as a new arrival to his yard D’bru Na Boinne delivered the goods.
First time cheek pieces and a tongue tie may well have helped the 7/1 chance as he won a good buckle with Can’t Be Done.
An indifferent jump at the second last didn’t help, but he rallied for Andrew Lynch and scored by half a length.
Lynch had ridden the horse in races before and O’Sullivan gave him much of the praise.
“It wasn’t the strongest of races but he had experience and got confidence and all credit to Andrew really.”
“He has ridden him at work in the last few weeks and knows him and it was great to get him” said the Kildare based trainer.
Trainer Andrew Lynch (no relation to the jockey) was on target with 5/1 shot Under Surveillance.
She had looked unlucky when brought down in her previous outing at Roscommon and has some decent form in the book.
Yet all the money, the milk and honey, was for Tara Dylan and this 5/6 hot pot set the pace for David Mullins for a long way.
She was passed after the second last but those who had taken the short odds had their hopes revived as she rallied strongly after the last.
The favourite has some serious flat form yet it was Under Surveillance who prevailed for Keith Donoghue.
For a few moments the bookies thought they would scoop everything as 50/1 shot Tillys Delight finished like a train.
In an exciting conclusion, Under Surveillance beat Tillys Delight by half a length with Tara Dylan a head further back in third.
Gordon Elliott’s Jaunty Thor is proving a great money spinner and he chalked up his fourth win in six weeks.
Understandably popular in the ring at 5/2, he had a 6 lbs. penalty for winning at Fairyhouse earlier in the week.
Over a trip too short for him (2m. 2f.) it was no stroll in the park and he had to knuckle down for Davy Russell to hold off Fairymount Boy by half a length.
He could turn out again at Ayr next week as they try to make hay before the softer ground kicks in.
Joseph O’Brien has pressing business in Melbourne – Irish Derby winner Latrobe races there this weekend.
But back at the ranch the staff have certainly kept the home fires burning.
Joseph really is a man for all seasons, as, after a double on the polytrack at Dundalk the night before, he bagged the last two races here.
Ironically Los Alamos, who had a somewhat laboured win in the 2m. 6f. maiden hurdle could be going to Dundalk next.
But star of the show was Silk And Sand in the bumper who was a generous 11/4 when comfortably dismissing 5/6 jolly Final List.
The beaten favourite should gain quick compensation in a similar event, while Silk And Sand looks ready to embark on a hurdling career straight away
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