Racing

Des McDonogh strikes again as Theophilus makes winning debut

Paddy Power Maiden Hurdle won by Blair Perrone as Shantou Ed claims Handicap Hurdle

Theophilus, ridden by Danny Mullins, clears the last on the way to winning the Paddy Power ‘Number 1 For Live Streaming’ 3-Y-O Maiden Hurdle on day two of the 2014 Leopardstown Christmas Festival. Photograph: Brian Lawless/PA Wire
Theophilus, ridden by Danny Mullins, clears the last on the way to winning the Paddy Power ‘Number 1 For Live Streaming’ 3-Y-O Maiden Hurdle on day two of the 2014 Leopardstown Christmas Festival. Photograph: Brian Lawless/PA Wire
Sat Dec 27 2014 - 14:57

Des McDonogh unleashed a second smart debutant in the space of two days as Theophilus made a smooth introduction to the winter game in the Paddy Power "number 1 For Live Streaming" 3-Y-O Hurdle at Leopardstown.

Just 24 hours after Fiscal Focus made a winning start at 33-1, lowering the colours of Willie Mullins’s Kalkir, Theophilus was sent off at just 4-1 in the same Jackie Bolger’s silks.

No great shakes on the Flat, he travelled well and when another Mullins odds-on shot, Buiseness Sivola, faded at the top of the straight, Theophilus kept on willingly to beat a couple of fellow newcomers in Hostile Fire and Battle Hymn by six and a half lengths in the hands of Danny Mullins.

Denis O’Regan on Blair Perrone wins The Paddy Power Maiden Hurdle at Leopardstown. Photograph: Donall Farmer / Inpho
Denis O’Regan on Blair Perrone wins The Paddy Power Maiden Hurdle at Leopardstown. Photograph: Donall Farmer / Inpho

“He got a superb ride from Danny,” McDonogh said. “He was idling a bit in front and will be better in a better race. At the moment the two of them (including Fiscal Focus) will be aimed at the Triumph.

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“Fiscal Focus is different gravy. I must say I am in awe of him. I may need a double horse box now for Cheltenham.”

Paddy Power introduce Theophilus at 20-1 for Triumph Hurdle.

There was a big turn up in the Paddy Power Maiden Hurdle as Champion Bumper winner Silver Concorde was made to look ordinary by Blair Perrone.

Tony Martin’s five-year-old was beaten a long way on his hurdling debut at Cork but looked a different proposition in the hands of Denis O’Regan.

Silver Concorde, a winner on the level since his Cheltenham success, was not fluent at the last for Davy Russell but such was Blair Perrone’s superiority, it is unlikely the blunder had any bearing on the result. The 10-1 chance came home two unextended lengths clear of the 1-3 favourite.

Martin said: “Things just didn’t go right for him the first day at Punchestown (in a bumper) when he was too free, and he needed the run badly at Cork the last day.

“He’s always showed us that he’s a good horse at home. The plan was to stalk the favourite and hopefully take him on as late as possible and it worked out perfect.

“He’s a big horse and will make a chaser. He was schooled over fences and hurdles.”

Shantou Ed provided JP McManus with a winner when holding off Rock The World in the Paddy Power Games Handicap Hurdle.

Pat Fahy’s charge looked a sitting duck going to the last as Robbie Power looked extremely confident on Jessica Harrington’s six-year-old. However, he fluffed the last while Shantou Ed flew it and galloped on powerfully to hold on by a length and a quarter at 8-1.

“Good As Gold and this horse both worked well in their last bit of work but after her run yesterday (fifth at Limerick) I was a bit worried,” Fahy said. “It’s great to have a winner at Leopardstown and it’s been a lucky track for me in the past. “He could go for the Boylesports Hurdle here next month.”