Sean Cleary-Farrell was two lengths up on Spanish Harlem in the Thyestes Chase with only the last to negotiate when he was unseated
Sean Cleary-Farrell heads to the ground from Spanish Harlem(Image: )
Talented Willie Mullins conditional jockey Sean Cleary-Farrell was denied the biggest victory of his career by a last fence mishap. The 7lb claimer, 23, missed his chance to add a famous prize to his ten successes for the champion jumps trainer on 28-1 chance Spanish Harlem in the £87,000 Thyestes Chase at Gowran Park on Thursday.
Cleary-Farrell had led nearly all the way on last year’s Kerry National winner and was his stable’s last hope in the 3m1f contest after 7-2 favourite Captain Cody fell at the fifth fence under Paul Townend. He had driven his mount into a two length lead at the last fence, but an awkward jump propelled Cleary-Farrell out of the saddle and he was unable to stay aboard.
Cleary-Farrell, whose late father Sean Cleary tragically died in a race fall in 2003 weeks before he was born, walked away from the incident.
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His exit appeared to leave the race at the mercy of the JP McManus-owned Better Times Ahead but Now Is the Hour, trained by Gavin Cromwell and ridden by Eoin Staples, another conditional, finished late and strongly to snatch a head victory after a photo-finish.
Cheltenham Gold Cup-winning trainer Cromwell had endured a torrid season and had not saddled a winner with his previous 40 runners.
He said: “This is unbelievable stuff and I wasn’t sure if he had won, as it was close. Eoin was very good on him and is great value for his 5lb claim. It is a fantastic race to win and what a difference a day can make!
Gavin Cromwell (left), Eoin Staples and Now Is The Hour who landed the Thyestes Chase(Image: PA)
“It is the first time he has got his ground since he won a Grade Two hurdle race at Haydock.
“The race is a big part of the calendar with a huge history and while I had finished second in this race last year, it is great to have your name on the cup.”
Nick Rockett landed last year’s Thyestes Chase before going on to win the Randox Grand National at Aintree for Willie and Patrick Mullins, a double also achieved by Hedgehunter (2005) and Numbersixvalverde (2006).
Now Is The Hour was cut to 20-1 from 33-1 for the world famous steeplechase by Coral, but Cromwell is first aiming to settle some unfinished business at the Cheltenham Festival, with his charge having fallen two from home when still in contention for last season’s National Hunt Chase.
Eoin Staples celebrates his biggest win(Image: PA)
“He again qualifies for the National Hunt Chase so will go straight there, despite having a penalty for winning this,” Cromwell added.
“You couldn’t have said he was beaten when falling at the second-last at Cheltenham last March and he was a maiden (over fences) coming here, so it was a nice way to break his maiden tag.
“If he doesn’t do anything else, he has been fantastic for us and we have been on the cold list for a while, so this is well appreciated.
“There was definitely a period when my horses were out of form, but I had a lot of moderate and badly handicapped ones too, which probably made everything look a lot worse.
“We didn’t get to restock like you’d love to for this season and last year we were so lucky to win big handicaps when everything fell into place. We had the first three home in the Dan Moore Chase last year, but those same horses ran again this year when they were badly handicapped. That’s the nature of the game.”