THE 23-year-old Knocklong, Co Limerick rider Patrick Gleeson enjoyed an afternoon to savour at last Sunday’s well-attended Limerick Foxhounds meeting at Rathcannon as he registered his first career victory aboard Brian Mortell’s Daicheadacuig (10/1 - 12/1) in the open lightweight.

Content to look on as short-priced favourite Some Are Lucky and Solomn Grundy vied for supremacy up-front, Gleeson, a final year University Of Limerick student, gave his mount the office on the approach to the second from home and thereafter the successful duo valiantly held the late rally of Some Are Lucky by three lengths.

“He’s been a fabulous horse for me. He won on the track but he lost his way a little so we said we’d come back to this game.

“We’ll head for a hunter chase now and he’ll probably go back to the track for the summer then,” remarked winning handler Mortell of Daicheadacuig, a Kilbeggan maiden hurdle winner in June 2021.

A delighted Gleeson later reflected: “I ride out each morning in Aidan O’Brien’s. I’m fairly busy with college now but ride out for Brian [Mortell], Patrick O’Donnell and my uncle John [Gleeson] in the afternoons. I only got my licence in December and that was only my eighth ride today, so it’s dream stuff really!”

First winner

The Scar, Co Wexford-native Eoin Staples will similarly hold fond memories of the fixture as he too recorded his initial success in the saddle when guiding the Pierce family’s Getaway Theatre (4/1 - 7/2) to claim the spoils in the five and six-year-old mares’ maiden.

An encouraging fourth on her debut in Belclare last month, Getaway Theatre, the third produce of seven-time winner Alpine Breeze, always took the eye in-running under a confident Staples.

Moving through to lead before two out, the Blackhall Stables Partnership-owned five-year-old made little of the arduous climb to the post to oblige by four lengths from One For Daisy.

“I’m delighted, that will take a while to sink in. I’m based full-time with Colin Bowe,” outlined 19-year-old Staples.

“I ride out for the Pierces, Rob James and a few more when time allows. I’m in my second season riding and it’s brilliant to make the breakthrough. I’ll keep the head down and keep working hard until the end of the season now.”

One For Daisy’s connections of Sam Curling and Derek O’Connor had been on the scoresheet 30 minutes earlier courtesy of second-timer Micro Millions (5/1 - 7/1) who collected the five-year-old geldings’ maiden.

The John O’Leary-owned son of Mahler showed the benefit of his debut run in Lisronagh in February when showing no little stamina and good resolve to come with a determined effort in the home straight and outpoint I Ballyadam Moon by four lengths.

“This is a lovely big horse. He’s as tough as nails and would gallop all day for you. He’ll make up into a lovely staying chaser in time. It’s always nice to get a winner for John [O’Leary] as he sponsors our yard through his company SE Systems,” said Curling.

A FIELD of seven faced the starter in the opening four-year-old mares’ maiden, with victory going to the Terence O’Brien-handled Lady Jago (3/1 - 4/1).

Sporting the silks of Belgooly, Co Cork-owner Brendan Hurley, Darragh Allen was content to bide his time in mid-division early-on aboard the sweet-travelling daughter of Getaway.

Forging clear with runner-up Belle Montrose after the second from home, little separated the duo at the final fence however Lady Jago fared best on the flat to record a two and a half-length triumph.

“This is the first horse Brendan has had with me. We’ve always liked her and we actually haven’t a huge amount done with her so there’s more to come,” commented Terence O’Brien of the second produce of Clara Mc Cloud a former 131-rated, four-time winning-hurdler.

Gutsy winner

Rokathir (3/1 - 4/1) formed part of an across-the-card double for his absent champion handler Colin Bowe when running out a gutsy winner of the four-year-old geldings’ maiden in the hands of Bertie Finn.

Latterly, this 10-runner contest developed into a match between the Walter Connors-owned winner and the prominent Will Knott.

Matching strides at the final fence, Rokathir assumed an advantage early on the short run-in and, despite the renewed challenge of Will Knott, held on to carry the day by a length and a half.

“That was a very nice performance. His jumping was impeccable and it kept bringing me to the front on the final circuit. We got a lovely run between horses and he saw it out very well from the back of the last,” observed Finn.