Cilaos Emery continues fencing progression at Cork

Thomas Weekes
December 9, 2019 6:38 am

Hilly Way triumph for one-time Arkle fancy.

Cilaos Emery provided Willie Mullins with an 11th win in the Kerry Group Hilly Way Chase at Cork.

Only Days Hotel in 2012 and Castlegrace Paddy 12 months ago have prevented a clean sweep for Mullins in the past decade, and only three went to post for the Grade Two this year, with Mullins also saddling Great Field.

When the latter departed down the back straight it meant Cilaos Emery and Danny Mullins just had to see off Enda Bolger’s Ballyoisin, a smart performer on his day but he no match for the 4-5 favourite, who remained unbeaten over fences, cruising home by seven lengths.

“It was a good performance and he always promised plenty,” said Danny Mullins.

“It was a pity he missed most of last season, but he’s making up for it now and I’d imagine Willie will find another similar contest for him and hopefully he’ll continue stepping up the ladder.

“You’d hope he will reach Grade One standard – he has done it over hurdles and he jumps fences well. For a small field it was a very competitive race today.”

Mullins also won the Kerry Group Irish EBF Mares Novice Chase with fencing debutante Elimay (9-4) under Mark Walsh.

“I’m delighted with her for her first run and we went a nice gallop. I was a bit on my head, but she warmed into it as she went along so you’d have to be very happy with her first run over fences,” said Walsh.

Unfortunately even-money favourite Sinoria suffered a fatal fall.

Well Set Up justified 2-1 favouritism in the Kerry Group Stayers Novice Hurdle and was introduced into the betting for the Albert Bartlett as a result.

Mark Fahey’s mare relished the stamina test and looks to have a bright future. She was giving Ricky Doyle a notable Grade Three win and also completing a double for the rider.

“She is a very tough mare and is an out-and-out stayer. We were a little bit worried because they went no gallop, but she also showed a turn of foot to win and I’m delighted,” said Fahey. “She is tough and grinds it out.

“There is the Dorans Pride Novice Hurdle for her next at Limerick over Christmas, or else she could for the two-mile-four Grade One novice at Naas in January, but she’ll tell us where to go.”

Brendan Duke is dreaming big with Clemencia (8-1), who bolted up in the Galtee 3-Y-O Maiden Hurdle in the colours of Jim and Jackie Bolger.

“He is certainly a Triumph Hurdle horse, without any question or doubt,” said Duke of Doyle-ridden winner.

“He is like the trainer – big and backward – and will take time and this is a nice horse and with a little bit of luck you’ll hear plenty more about him.

“Jim likes going to Leopardstown at Christmas, but I might keep him until the Dublin Racing Festival instead.”

Eric McNamara looks to have a nice horse on his hands after the winning debut of Donkey Years (33-1) in the Charleville Cheese Maiden Hurdle.

“It was a good performance and he did it well. We liked him a lot and while we didn’t think he’d do that, he was showing us a lot at home and we like him,” said McNamara.

“His dam is a sister to Rock On Ruby so is obviously well bred and he jumped great and travelled well and hopefully he has a future.

“He must have had niggly problems as he is a five-year-old going on six, but I’ve only have him for four or five months and he is a fine big, good-looking horse and is a good horse.

“I don’t know where we go next, but we’ll find a winners’ race for him somewhere. It is nice to have a nice horse.”