'Her jumping is unbelievable' - Bioluminescence impresses on a successful day for Gavin Cromwell and JP McManus

An unforgettable across-the-card double for Gavin Cromwell and JP McManus in two of the feature races at Limerick and Leopardstown began in the Grade 2 Dawn Run Mares' Novice Chase with Bioluminescence.

The daughter of Walk In The Park defied an absence of nine months to make a most impressive chasing debut under Derek O'Connor, who was renewing acquaintance having won a point-to-point on the mare at Boulta two years ago. The trainer-owner combo were also successful in the €110,000 Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown with Perceval Legallois.

Bioluminescence almost jumped too well as the race was run at a much slower tempo than she would have preferred. The manner in which she put the race to bed between the last two fences was impressive as she beat fellow chasing newcomer Paggane by three lengths, with prolific winner Shecouldbeanything another six lengths away.

Bioluminescence was cut to 8-1 (from 16) by sponsors Paddy Power for the Mares' Chase at Cheltenham, although soft ground would probably be key to her chances.

"Her jumping is unbelievable," said O'Connor. "She's a big mare with a huge jump to match – it's her forte. A trip on soft ground is her ideal.

"I rode her in her point-to-point and she was flawless that day, too. Gavin has trained her exceptionally well, winning a Grade 3 over hurdles and now a Grade 2 over fences.

"It's a fair step to go into a Grade 2 first time over fences. She's a ferocious galloper, stayer and jumper and because she's so big, there's a little bit left there."

Stitches has it sewn up

The McManus silks were carried to victory by another smart-looking mare when the James Motherway-trained Uhavemeinstitches landed the mares' maiden hurdle.

Another daughter of Walk In The Park, she is out of the Motherway-trained Irish Grand National winner Bluesea Cracker and looks one for staying chases in the future.

She put in a fine round of jumping under Simon Torrens and was value for a little more than the length-and-a-half margin over 40-1 shot Workinonadream.

Motherway said: "She's a lovely filly who we've liked from day one. She jumped so well early on that she was jumping into the back of one or two of them, but she was really good at the last two. She had a little look when she got to the front, but Simon said she found plenty when he got after her.

"She really filled out her frame during the summer and when she came back to us in the autumn, I was really delighted with her. I knew I had a mare to train then. She's only four rising five, so hopefully there's plenty to come. Stamina will probably be her forte down the line." 

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