Slowmotion accelerates to see off Naas rivals

Slowmotion fought back from seemingly likely defeat to land the Listed BBA Ireland Ltd Opera Hat (Mares) Chase at Naas.The five-year-old was completing a double for trainer Joseph O'Brien and jockey Mark Walsh, but she looked as though she would be well beaten as she was detached from her four rivals with five fences to jump.Slowmotion, who was sent off a 9-4 chance,was still adrift of the field turning for home but she gradually picked off her rivals before improving to lead past Solita on the run-in. O'Brien's charge came home four lengths clear, with 4-7 favourite Listen Dear fading dramatically in the closing stages after racing prominently to beat only one rival. O'Brien said of the JP McManus-owned winner: "Mark gave her a peach and let her find her feet early. She's tough and she stays and even though the trip was on the short side, she stuck at it well."It's nice to win another stakes race with her and we'll see how she comes out of it and speak to Frank (Berry, owner's racing manager) and JP. She looks like she'll get further."Willie Mullins said of Listen Dear: "She was disappointing. She is possibly not a winter mare, possibly not a heavy ground mare."Outspoken (8-15 favourite) had initiated the double for O'Brien, Walsh and McManus as he made it third-time lucky over jumps in the opening Credo Pizza Supporting Kill GAA Maiden Hurdle.While Outspoken blundered at the third last flight, he stayed on strongly in the home straight to comfortably beat Icario.Berry said: "They didn't go much of a gallop but he quickened up well over the last three and did it well. You'd be pleased with him and he'll learn a little bit more - he has a bit to learn about jumping."He quickened up well because the other fella (Icario) looked like he came with a bit of horse beside him."He handles that ground well and we'll look for a novice, a winners of one or something like that now." Mullins might have been out of luck with Listen Dear, but his Carter McKay (8-13 favourite) made quite a splash as he ran away with the closing Cavan Developments Home Builder Supporting Kill GAA (Pro/Am) Flat Race. Partnered by the trainer's son Patrick, Carter McKay made short work of three rivals, galloping home two and a quarter lengths clear of West Coast Time while still on the bridle. Mullins senior said: "He's improved since Christmas and did a lovely bit of work during the week. He's one we're looking forward to and is going to have to step in now. "He's improving away all the time, so hopefully he keeps doing that." Gordon Elliott saddled the first two home in the O'Driscoll O'Neil Supporting Kill GAA Maiden Hurdle, as Midnight Escape (15-8 favourite) beat stablemate Cracking Smart.The winning handler said: "He'll be a nice horse for next year and is a chaser in the making. We're happy enough and it's job done and we'll try and find something small for him next; then that'll be it until next year."When asked if he had booked his ticket to Cheltenham, Mullins quipped "I thought he had it booked at Christmas anyway, but I'm very pleased with that." Yaha Fizz (7-4 favourite) made it three wins on the bounce in the Jordan's Centra Supporting Kill GAA Rated Novice Hurdle while Westerners Son was a surprise 20-1 winner of the Hospitality At Naas Handicap Chase.