THE in-form partnership of Sam Curling and Derek O’Connor continued their fine seasons with a double, which began with Jezebel Eyes (4/6 - 11/10) in the four-year-old mares’ maiden.
The daughter of Motivator travelled in third throughout the early stages of her debut, always moving with purpose before edging closer approaching the second last.
When asked to quicken, she responded willingly and a sound jump at the final fence secured a two-and-a-half-length victory over Magika Bella.
“She was very green, having a good look around,” Curling, who is also the owner, said. “We bought her at the Land Rover Sale, and she is as good as we’ve had for a while. That was a good performance as she was only 80% there - we haven’t done much. She will go to the sales now.”
Double up
The pair doubled their tally in the mares’ open as the ultra-consistent The Great Unknown (2/7 favourite) extended her unbeaten run to five for the season in the colours of Curling’s mother Adelia Greer.
The daughter of Walk In The Park, who holds a Cheltenham Festival Hunter Chase entry, set off in front before increasing the tempo from two out. Having looked vulnerable briefly, she kept going after the last to see off Dora D’Or by a length and a half.
“She will only ever do what she has to,” Curling commented. “Derek knows that and gets on great with her. She’ll stay at point-to-points for the season and try to become champion mare.”
Keen
In the four-year-old geldings’ maiden, Peckham Echo (1/1 - 11/10) justified his €80,000 price tag from the Goffs Arkle Sale with a determined success despite a few sketchy jumps. Trained by Pat Doyle and owned by his wife Mary, the son of Jukebox Jury raced keenly for rider Adam Ryan in a steadily run contest.
He overcame his inexperience and produced a decisive turn of foot approaching the last to help repel favourite Tiger Island by a length at the post, denying the Curling-O’Connor partnership a hat-trick in the process.
“He was as green as grass but I think he has a fair engine,” Doyle commented. “He quickened up well from the second last but they were going too slow for him all the way. I don’t know what we will do now.”
THE tightest finish of the day came in the five-year-old and upwards mares’ maiden, where Stepitoutmary (5/2 - 6/1) edged out Lady Jetfire by a short-head.
The success provided Jake Pratt with his first winner between the flags. It was also a first success for owner and handler Jonathan Fitzgerald, who is engaged to the winning rider’s sister.
The daughter of Shantaram raced prominently before challenging after the second last, keeping on strongly to snatch it right on the line. Fitzgerald explained that patience was key to her improvement.
“We ran her as a four-year-old last year and left disappointed. She has just taken the time to develop,” said handler Fitzgerald.
“Jake schooled her recently and thought she was capable and that this track would suit. We held her up in Knockanard, and that was my fault, so we wanted her to be more prominent today. Hopefully, she will go to the Gain Mares’ Final now.”
First points success
The card concluded with the six-year-old and upwards geldings’ maiden, where eight runners made it the biggest field of the afternoon. Grandorado (4/1) provided Tommy Halford with a first point-to-point success. Trained by John Neilan, the son of Doyen made virtually all the running, building on a previous runner-up effort at Cragmore in January.
Although pressed by a few challengers at the penultimate fence, he stuck to his task well to defeat Pendle Hill by a length and a half, with fast-finishing favourite Kaspar Des Bordes in third.
“He ran well in Cragmore in January,” reported Neilan, who trains this horse for his brother Liam. “He is a green horse and took time being 17.2hh, but he is getting there now. I only have 10 or 11 in total. Hopefully someone calls me about him now, and we could sell.”
THE most emphatic performance came in the five-year-old geldings’ maiden, where The Gift Shop (2/1 - 4/1) routed his rivals for Donnchadh Doyle and successful owners the Monbeg Syndicate.
The five-runner field began to stretch out from the fourth last. The son of Manatee, partnered by Alan Harney, travelled close to the pace, jumping fluently and moving into a clear advantage turning for home.
Despite two casualties at the penultimate fence, the partnership looked to have matters under control, and it was just a case of negotiating the final obstacle safely before powering clear to score by 12 lengths from second best Crookhaven.
“He is a very nice horse,” Harney reported. “He jumped and travelled great, took me everywhere I wanted to go. We would have been very disappointed if he was beaten today. This is a smart horse that will go to the sales now.”
Horse to Follow
Lady Jetfire (P. Cashman): The debutante and well-bred daughter of No Risk At All was sent off a short-priced favourite in the five-year-old and upwards mares’ maiden. Having been held up in the early stages, she made smooth headway from the fourth last and looked a likely winner at the penultimate fence. Having jinked right at the last, she lost some momentum and was chinned on the line. She can make sure the next day if learning from the experience.