UNDER glorious sunshine, the conclusion of Ballingarry’s two-day fixture will go down in the history books as Tipperary native Sam Curling surpassed Robert Tyner’s record of 47 point-to-point winners in a season.

The deadly duo of Derek O’Connor and Sam Curling teamed up to take the mares’ winners’ of three event as the John O’Leary-owned Time In A Bottle (5/4 - evens) justified favouritism to snuggly fend off the challenge of Queen Of The Gales by four lengths.

Sent to the head of affairs from flag fall under O’Connor, who dictated the race from the front, she quickly sealed matters on the long run to the last when the daughter of Castle Du Berlais opened a four-length advantage.

“Robert has had the record there a long time, so it’s great to do it,” Curling said. “It’s great to do it in John’s colours, he’s a great supporter of the yard, so delighted with it. The staff and everyone have been brilliant this season.”

Breaking records

Curling pushed the new record single-season tally to 49 courtesy of Routine Excellence (evens favourite) in the open. Patiently ridden throughout by Nicole Lockhead Anderson, this 10-year-old son of Getaway appeared to be struggling with a circuit to go as he dropped to the rear and received reminders.

The Gerry Spain-owned gelding found a rhythm down the back to move into a challenging position, but was still under a strong drive from Lockhead Anderson. Finding an extra gear on the long run to the last to swoop late, he was able to defeat Ciel De Neige by three lengths.

“She probably got caught a bit far back, but she got there in the end, it’s great,” Curling admitted. “She’s had a massive year, it’s great for her, she is getting better the whole time.”

The seven-year-old and upwards geldings’ maiden went the way of Orkneys Jack (4/1). Having finished second three times over the course of the season, the winner was gaining a deserved success for local Templemore-based trainer Leslie Young, and Birr rider James Sampson.

The son of Holy Roman Emperor was never far from the leaders throughout and quickened well at the head of affairs from the penultimate obstacle to score by half a length over Brambles Five and will now likely head to the track over the summer.

THE four-year-old geldings’ maiden went the way of the Patrick Farrell-trained Midnight Mystique (5/1). The son of Falco was always to the fore, and disputed the lead throughout much of the race.

Quickening on the run to the last, he was able to stretch many of his rivals and open a two-length advantage that was whittled down by the last, as he was about to be challenged when Mickey Viking came down to simplify the winner’s task as Luke Whitty guided him to a 12-length victory over Masked Diamond.

“He’s a straightforward horse, he never had any issues apart from that sickness mine got around February,” the winning handler acknowledged of Harry Farrell’s €12,500 store purchase.

“I couldn’t get a gallop into him before the last day; the ground was too quick at home, so we just used that run to bring him on. He’s so easy on himself at home, it’s hard to get work into him and get him fit.”

Sparkling success

Champagne Orders (5/1) continued his upward trajectory, having finished third last time out in Lisronagh back in April to land the spoils in the six-year-old geldings’ maiden at the fifth time of asking for owner-trainer Roisin Hickey.

Tracking the leaders for much of the contest, William Verling’s mount formed a line of three to dispute the lead at the third-last fence before forging to the front after jumping the penultimate obstacle, and injected a turn of foot on the long run to the last. By the line, he proved to be three and a half lengths too strong for Proud As Bunch.

“I never thought it would take this long to win a maiden with him,” Hickey said. “The young lad gave him a good ride. He’s a nice horse. I never thought he would be winning a six-year-old maiden in Ballingarry, but here we are. The track didn’t suit him the last day, and he seems to be better going right-handed.”

RACEGOERS were treated to the finish of the afternoon in the six-year-old mares’ maiden as Craan Rose (7/4) got up in the shadows of the post to prevail by a short-head over Wings In The World, who had looked an almost certain winner on the long run to the last.

Mick Goff’s grey had looked booked for second when chasing the eventual runner-up on the run for the home straight, but to her credit, she rallied to move into a challenging position jumping the last under Matt Gahan before fighting to supply the winning rider with his fifth success of the season.

“She deserved that, she was beaten a neck in Necarne two weeks ago, she’s the yard favourite at home, and everyone wanted her to get her head in front,” Goff said of the Kalanisi mare who ran in the colours of his wife, Catriona.

“John Bailey, a Wexford man, bred her and owns her with me. John owns a schooling ground in Craan, and the mare is named after his sister Rosie, who passed away, so it’s an emotional one for John.”

Horse to follow

Mickey Viking (C. Bowe): This son of Racinger still held every chance when falling at the last on what was just his second career start. A €36,000 store purchase, if he can improve over the summer, he should land a similar contest in the autumn.