Success for both Mount Ida and Sayce Gold ensured that it was a Grade 3 double for point-to-point mares at Cork on Sunday.
The ex-Jerry Cosgrave Mount Ida opened proceeding when she landed the Kerry Group Irish EBF Mares’ Novice Chase for Gordon Elliott.
A four-year-old mares’ maiden winner at Tattersalls on the corresponding weekend two years earlier, the now six-year-old who was purchased for £70,000 following her initial success has proven to be an ultra-consistent performer for her new connections, having finished in the first three in seven of her eight starts under rules, with this latest victory her third to date and first in black-type company.
Towards the rear in the early stages having been slowly away, Denis O’Regan steadily brought her closer to lead four-out, and whilst she was headed after the next fence, she rallied gamely in the home straight to once again find herself in front at the last, from where she pulled four and a half lengths clear at the line.
Nice performance �
— Cork Racecourse (@corkracecourse) December 6, 2020
Mount Ida pings the last and goes on to win the Grade 3 #KerryGroup @IrishEBF_ Mares Novice Chase for@gelliott_racing and @DenisFORegan � pic.twitter.com/9gNuBPExYG
That success was swiftly followed by yet another impressive display by the rapidly improving Sayce Gold, who ran out a wide-margin winner of the Grade 3 Kerry Group Stayers Novice Hurdle for Mick Winters.
A Boulta winner for her current connections, the seven-year-old entered the race following back-to-back wins in the point-to-point bumper at Fairyhouse and then on her hurdling debut at Thurles last month, and sent off as a 7/4 shot for her first step into Graded company, the daughter of Gold Well gave her supporters few if any moments of concern.
Making all of the running in the Trevor Hemmings colours, jockey Darragh O’Keeffe sent her on before the penultimate flight, and whilst she was somewhat untidy at the last, she had the race wrapped up by that point, ultimately defeating Ragnar Lodbrok by eight lengths.
â?ï¸? Sayce Gold - a potential superstar for Mick Winters who could be destined for the Cheltenham Festival following this win at @corkracecourse this afternoon
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) December 6, 2020
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