Neil O’Donnell

THE elements were certainly not kind to Sunday’s Lisgoold fixture, run under the auspices of the United Hunt Club, at Templenacarriga, as heavy rainfall blighted conditions for spectators while ground conditions deteriorated throughout the course of the afternoon.

There were still some outstanding performances, none more so than from the Mick Goff-trained Dickie Diver who registered a stunning debut victory in the second division of the O’Farrell Meats & Mary Ryan four-year-old geldings’ maiden.

One of seven newcomers in the 11-runner field, Dickie Diver (4/1) always took the eye in-running under Shane Fitzgerald and he had just jumped into lead past the front running Dontgetfooledagain when the pacesetter fell four out. On the long run to the penultimate of the 14 obstacles, it was plainly apparent that the triumphant son of Gold Well was cantering all over the pursuing pair of Atlantic Storm and Liosduin Bhearna.

The Co Wexford-trained winner threw a spectacular leap here and he stormed clear on the ascent to the turn-in before the final fence to beat fellow debutant Atlantic Storm by 20 lengths, with the only other finisher, Liosduin Bhearna, returning a respectable third, four lengths further adrift.

“This horse went very well recently in a Fairyhouse schooling hurdle,” reported Goff of Dickie Diver, sporting the silks of Dick Frisby with whom Goff shares the winner. “He was a bit green in front here, but he’s a lovely horse with plenty of speed and he will go to the sales now.”

Dickie Diver, whose breeder Noel O’Brien from Churchtown was on hand to congratulate winning connections, was purchased for €12, 000 by Derek Tobin at the 2016 Goffs Land Rover Sale and the bay’s grandam is a half-sister to Merry Gale.

HANNON DOUBLE

James Hannon was the only rider to partner two winners, the west Waterford amateur opening his account aboard Joe Ryan’s Good And Hardy in the first division of the four-year-old geldings’ maiden.

Good And Hardy (5/1), having made a pleasing return to action by finishing fourth to Baron De Midleton at Ballindenisk in early-December, was always well positioned and he went for home before four out.

With two of the pursuing pack, General Arrow and Clondaw Ace, departing three out, the winning son of Westerner got on top from after the second-last to beat Ask And Answer by four lengths.

Good And Hardy, owned by Ryan’s son Josh, is out of an unraced half-sister to Grade 2 Scottish Champion Hurdle winner In Contrast and he was also purchased for €12,000 at the 2016 Goffs Land Rover Sale.

Ballyduff Upper-based owner/trainer Don Kenneally’s newcomer Cavok provided Hannon with the concluding leg of his two-timer in the Hurleys Supervalu five-year-old and upwards mares’ maiden.

Cavok (3/1), a physically-imposing five-year-old by Kayf Tara, occupied a prominent position throughout and she mastered long-time leader Goulane Jessie on the run to two out to dispose of Seamus Spillane’s charge by 10 lengths. Cavok is now likely to be offered for sale.

Goulane Jessie’s rider Johnny Hurley went one better in the following Kepak five-year-old and upwards confined hunt maiden aboard complete outsider Prove Me Wrong, one of just two horses under the care of owner/trainer Patrick Leahy from Conna.

Prove Me Wrong (6/1), the only mare in the four-runner field, led away from the third last and it was plainly apparent that she was containing odds-on favourite Overbury Prince from two out. At the post 12 lengths separated the pair, who were the only finishers.

Overbury Prince’s handler Terence O’Brien and rider Darragh Allen got on the scoresheet when they combined to collect the AMAC five-year-old geldings’ maiden with Cepalo Delafayette.

Having finished third on his debut in a competitive Ballindenisk contest behind Mount Rushmoore last month, Cepalo Delafayette (4/1-7/2) was the only horse to record an all-the-way success on the day.

It appeared briefly that he would have face a battle as last season’s Knockanard runner-up Ask Robin moved menacingly up to his quarters.

But the French-bred wasn’t for passing and, although Clondaw Fixer went second at the final fence, he was still four lengths adrift at the line. Ask Robin faded before the last to return a further six lengths adrift in third spot, the trio being the only finishers.

O’Brien indicated that Cepalo Delafayette, a Goffs UK Spring Sale acquisition who represents Richie Gardiner from Watergrasshill, is now likely to be put on the market.

Lorvon Pearl, handler Colin Bowe’s only runner of the afternoon, captured a competitive running of the Tattersalls Ireland four-year-old mares’ maiden in the hands of Barry O’Neill.

Expresstime set out to make all and she seemed to be in control from two out as closest pursuer Kilbarry Angel ruined whatever chance she may have had by erring at this penultimate obstacle.

The 5/1 winner closed on the incline between the final two fences and the daughter of Gold Well, who finished an excellent third to Danse Idol in a 16-runner contest at Boulta in late-November, mastered Expresstime early on the flat to score by an increasing three and a half lengths.

Lorvon Pearl, carrying the familiar colours of the Milestone Racing Partnership, is now a quite valuable commodity as the daughter of Gold Well is out of a half-sister to French listed hurdle winner La Zingarella, dam of L’Ami Serge.

Cheltenham connection

THE mares’ maiden winner Cavok was produced thanks to a long-standing connection between the Keanneally family from Ballyduff Upper and British breeder Carrie Zetter-Wells.

Donal Kenneally bred Brief Gale and later sold the daughter of Strong Gale to Mrs Zetter-Wells for whom she won the 1995 running of the Grade 1 Sun Alliance Chase at the Cheltenham Festival when under the care of the late Josh Gifford.

The Kenneallys have since maintained a long-standing friendship with Mrs Zetter-Wells and it was she who bred Cavok, now owned and trained by the aforementioned Donal’s son Don.