Getabird Tops Terrific Weekend For Getaway
An exciting start to the chasing career of Getabird (6g Getaway - Fern Bird, by Revoque) led a terrific two days for his Grange Stud sire over the weekend.
A dual Grade 2 winner over hurdles for Willie Mullins, Getabird was, unsurprisingly, sent off favourite for the two mile Beginners Chase at Punchestown on Sunday. He and Ruby Walsh repaid the market with a fine display, leading from start to finish and finished seven and a half lengths clear of their nearest rival on the line.
The Rich Ricci-owned and Pat Connell-bred winner learnt his trade with Colin Bowe, for whom he won a four-year-old maiden at Largy, before being sold to Mullins and Harold Kirk for €200,000 at the Goffs Punchestown Sale
A day earlier at Sandown, I Can’t Explain (5g Getaway - Dr Sandra, by Dr Massini) made a successful start to his career under rules, when winning a novice hurdle in fine style for Nicky Henderson.
He, too, began his career between the flags; winning his sole start for Eric McNamara by all of 12 lengths at Rathcannon. Then purchased privately for new owners Dan Hall and Julie and David Martin, he looks sure to repay their faith, if his clear round of jumping and comfortable debut success is anything to go by.
The purchase price and greater experience of the runner-up, Phoenix Way, also boosted the appeal of I Can’t Explain’s success, while his trainer later confirmed the Jane Mangan-bred winner would be aimed at the Tolworth Hurdle.
The success of the above pair adds to the appeal of Getaway’s two point-to-point winners on Sunday. Vinnie’s Getaway (4g Getaway - Trixskin, by Buckskin) outjumped his rivals to win the the four-year-old maiden at Borris House for Alan Harte and Denis Murphy. Carrying top weight, he scored by three lengths, with a distance back to the third horse. Bred by John Hore, he was sold by Mount Eaton Stud to Alan Harte for €60,000 at the Derby Sale at Tattersalls Ireland.
Meanwhile, over at Boulta, Leave My Alone (5m Getaway - Glenda King, by King’s Theatre) won the five-year-old mares maiden for owner, breeder and handler Jack Bennett. Leading from two out, she ran on well under Ray Barron to beat Worth The Oscar (Oscar) by four lengths.