Solomn Grundy fared best in the attritional conditions as he ground it from the front to take the 2021 renewal of the Tetretema Cup at Gowran Park on Friday.
Formerly a capable handicapper for Neil Mulholland and more recently with Henry de Bromhead for whom he was only beaten half-a-length in a Grade B Chase and fourth in the 2018 Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown, the son of Westerner joined Sean Doyle prior to the current season.
Following two back-to-back successes over consecutive weekend’s in the autumn at Tattersalls and Damma House, the 11-year-old was sent off as a 5/1 shot having finished third to leading Cheltenham Hunter Chase contenders Billaway and Staker Wallace at Naas on his latest outing.
Always to the fore in the testing conditions, Jamie Scallan positioned him just behind pace-setter On The Sod in what was a slowly run race, and as the race began to develop entering the home straight, it soon became clear that the race would be decided between Solomn Grundy and the favourite Winged Leader, who was one of three runners in the race representing David Christie.
But from the final fence, Solomn Grundy began to assert and went on to win by four and a half lengths over Winged Leader as Christie had to settle for the runners-up prize for the second year running.
Stable companion On The Sod completed in third, with the easy to back Below Mome back in fourth.
Following the victory, Jamie Scallan, who was partnering his first winner under rules said:
“He did it very well, we put the hood on him today as he pulled very hard the last day in Naas, so we put the hood on and he settled well today. He probably needed to settle on the ground conditions there.
“We went nice and steady there, Jamie (Codd, On The Sod) went nice and steady in front and I just sat in behind him and went upsides heading out on the final lap.
“I was always happy, I thought going to the third last that Barry (O’Neill, Winged Leader) was coming with a challenge, but to be fair to my lad he quickened up from the back of the third last and went away with it.
“I won a point-to-point back on him in Tattersalls and then he ran in a novice riders and won an open. Barry Walsh rode him then, he works in Sean’s too and then I rode him up in Down Royal and it was probably a bit too short for him.
“He stepped up in Naas when he was third to Billaway and then came here today and sure he won. The hood has suited him well today, he was an easier rider today.
“First winner under rules, it’s a big deal and the Tetretema in a nice race to win so it’s grand. I’ve had 16 point-to-point winners and I’m full time with Sean (Doyle) three years and he has been very good to me.”
