2006 Day Two Results

02:00 PM Royal & SunAlliance Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1)

Nicanor won this in good style in the hands of Paul Carberry. The winner was held up off the strong early pace made steady headway from three out led at the last and won with a little in hand. Denman travelled well throughout but was taken about five wide through out. He also clipped heels turning for home and stumbled and if the race was ridden again he would probably be given a different ride; he may also be seen to better effect with more cut in the ground. Refinement stayed on well to be third, having warmed to her task after being slightly slow over the first few hurdles. Mr Nosie ran well to take fourth having helped force the pace throughout.

02:35 PM Royal & SunAlliance Chase (Grade 1)

Star de Mohaison won this well in the hands of Barry Geraghty. The winner was always up with the pace and drew clear from the last to win well. He is only a five-year-old and can only improve. Idle Talk ran well in defeat but gave the impression he will be suited by softer ground. Darkness made an early mistake but stayed on to be third. The Listener was just making ground when falling at the top of the hill. Commercial Flyer was another who made some mistakes and was eventually pulled up.

03:15 PM Queen Mother Champion Chase (Grade 1)

Newmill made all the running and stayed on well to score in the hands of Andrew J McNamara. Fota Island stayed on to be second but he never looked like beating the winner. Mister McGoldrick was always up with the pace but tired up the hill and finished only third. Kauto Star fell early on and it is hard to know how he would have fared had he stayed on his feet. Dempsey was another early casualty. The reigning champion, Moscow Flyer, finished a very creditable fifth, staying on up the hill for a never-nearer finish. Afterwards, trainer Jessica Harrington announced that he is to be retired from racing. He goes out with his head held high as the winner of 26 races, those successes including the 2003 and 2005 Queen Mother Champion Chases, and the 2002 Irish Independent Arkle Chase. He is one of the great horses of the modern era and his place in the pantheon of the great Cheltenham horses, as well as in out hearts, is firmly set. We wish him a long and happy retirement, and we offer our good wishes to his trainer, who handled him with great care and skill throughout his career.

04:00 PM Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3)

Sky's The Limit won this in good style in the hands of Barry Geraghty. The winner was always travelling well led at the top of the hill and only had to be pushed out to score. Strangely Brown stayed on from the rear to be a never-nearer second but he had no chance with the winner. Dom D'Orgeval ran well under his topweight to be third and he would have appreciated more cut in the ground. Phar Bleu stayed on to be fourth and should strip fitter for the run.

04:40 PM Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Amateurs' Challenge Cup Handicap Chase

You're Special was always up with the pace and stayed on well to score in the hands of Robert Harding having jumped well throughout. Mon Mome ran well in second but he could only stay on at one pace to be second. Undeniable was doing all his best work at the finish and stayed on to be third in the hands of Nina Carberry. Bee An Bee travelled well throughout but again found less than expected off the bridle. Liberthine could never quite get competitive.

05:20 PM Weatherbys Champion Bumper Standard Open NH Flat Race (Grd1)

Hairy Molly won this in good style to complete a first and last race double on the card for Paul Carberry. The winner was held up off the strong early pace, led three furlongs out and stayed on well to score. Pressgang ran well in defeat but he probably would have won if he had not veered off a straight line on the run-in. Kicks For Free had every chance but could only run on at one pace close home. Perce Rock was doing all his best work at the finish and is one to watch when stepped up in trip. The favourite, Equus Maximus, seemed to become unbalanced running down the hill having travelled well to that point. The day ended, then, with another win for the Irish. Four wins on the card took their tally for the meeting so far to seven.