ONE of the better performances of the afternoon came in the five and six-year-old mares’ maiden which went the way of newcomer Manor Gate (6/4 - 7/4), who produced a determined front-running display for trainer Eamonn Doyle.
Owned by the Mossy Fen Stables Partnership, the daughter of Policy Maker set a steady gallop and jumped accurately throughout. Although briefly headed approaching the final fence, she responded generously under Rob James, rallying gamely on the run-in to regain the advantage from Pixie Dust to score by two and a half lengths.
“She is a really good, honest mare that found plenty when asked,” Doyle said afterwards. “We always thought she was a lovely type and were hopeful today on her first time out. She will go to the sales now.”
Dream come true
Enda Bolger added another success when Keep On Dreaming (2/1 - 5/1) claimed the winners’ of two contest under positive tactics for owner J.P. McManus.
The son of Westerner was close up from the start before assuming the lead at the third, and settling into a nice rhythm for rider Luke Kelleher. Despite being challenged at the second last fence, he responded bravely to record a half-length success from the fast-finishing Sharp As Glass. “He did it well there. He is really enjoying it and improving all the time. Luke gave him a great ride” commented Bolger. “The Ladies Cup at Punchestown is the end-of-season aim if the ground stays right for him. We might go for a winners’ of two on the way.”
THE concluding seven-year-old and upwards maiden fell to Bog Cross (1/1 favourite), who produced a dominant front-running display for handler Marie Harding and owner Declan O’Keeffe.
The son of Malinas took the initiative from the drop of the flag and jumped fluently under Eoin O’Brien throughout the six-runner contest. He maintained his advantage as the field attempted to close in approaching the fourth last fence.
However, the recent Kildorrery runner-up stretched further clear approaching the penultimate obstacle. He wasn’t very fluent at the final fence but the race was in safe keeping as he eased to a four-length success from Samdegoda.
“Eoin deserves every credit, really, as this horse hasn’t made it easy for him,” Harding explained. “He is not bad, has ability, but likes it his own way. He jumped well today in front, but wouldn’t like it if he was taken on. I don’t know where we will go now.”
Striking Gold
The six-figure store purchase Gold Steel (6/4 - 7/4 favourite) made a highly encouraging start to his career to land the four-year-old maiden. Trained and ridden by Derek O’Connor, the son of Beaumec De Houelle looks a very nice prospect for the future, having been bought for €105,000 at the Tattersalls Ireland Derby Sale.
Settled towards the rear through the early exchanges, the bay gelding began to make smooth headway on the final circuit before moving into contention approaching the home straight.
Taking command at the last, he quickly asserted and stayed on well to defeat The Athenry Man by two lengths in ready fashion.
“That was very pleasing,” O’Connor reported after registering his first success as a handler for Bartlett. “It’s my first point-to-point winner for Ronnie Bartlett as a trainer, and it’s a great association to have with him and Ian Ferguson. Both of their horses ran well there. The winner will go to a trainer.”
THE closest finish of the afternoon came in the five and six-year-old geldings’ maiden, where the judge was unable to separate Tom Keating’s Ballydine Boy (3/1 - 4/1), and the Ross O’Sullivan-trained Jackson Court (3/1 - 9/2) following lengthy deliberations.
The Thomas Massey-owned Jackson Court appeared to be gaining the upper hand when edging into the lead after the last under Lee Shanahan. However, Ballydine Boy kept responding to Adam Feeney’s encouragement in the home straight, and it was anyone’s guess at the line.
Following lengthy deliberations, a dead-heat was announced after a thrilling finish, with Flamm De Kerbarh five lengths back in third.
“He is a very nice horse, and we fancied him today after a good run first time in Ballindenisk,” Keating said of Ballydine Boy. “He will make a nice hurdler. The plan is to go to the sales now.”
Of Jackson Court, O’Sullivan’s representative Tom Harney, added: “We were a bit disappointed after Bellharbour as we fancied him. He showed his ability today after a great run to finish third in Dromahane the first day.”
Class act
Class came to the fore in the open contest as Asian Master (1/1 favourite) produced an authoritative display. Ridden by Thomas Costello for his father Tony, and in the colours of his mother Marie, the nine-year-old son of Shirocco travelled powerfully throughout the race.
Once asked for his effort after the second-last fence, he quickly took it up and asserted his superiority in the contest when opening up by five lengths from the runner-up Five Star Getaway.
“He has been a great fun horse and did it very well again there,” Tony Costello commented. “We could target Aintree, or Mallow on Easter Monday, is another option.”
Horse to follow
Pixie Dust (T. Keating): The daughter of Falco ran a cracker to finish runner-up in the five and six-year-old mares’ maiden. She looked the winner briefly at the final fence, but couldn’t sustain her effort to the line. This will have sharpened her fitness-wise after a three-month absence, and she is capable of going one better next time.