THE Westmeath Foxhounds hosted their annual autumn fixture at Castletown-Geoghegan on Sunday, where the opening four-year-old maiden proved an incident-packed affair.
The Rob James-trained Be My Fortune still held every chance when cruelly crashing out at the final obstacle, which handed the advantage to the Derek O’Connor-trained and ridden Jaycee Reidy (5/2 - 6/1).
The son of Walk In The Park was produced with a well-timed challenge to assert from the back of the last and score by a length and a half from newcomer Jurassic Bob, who blundered at the final fence, resulting in the reins going over his head and Kevin Healy completing without them to finish a gallant second.
A €20,000 Goffs purchase, Jaycee Reidy had fallen on debut at Stowlin in May but made amends here with a typically patient O’Connor ride, making smooth headway from four out before quickening smartly to the line in the colours of Carol O’Connor.
“He’s very fast, and stamina was a worry, so I rode him cold,” O’Connor remarked. “It’s a credit to him that he got three miles today. We like him a lot and he’ll likely head to the sales.”
Runaway Rebel
The five and six-year-old mares’ maiden saw the outsider of the field Rebel Reba (8/1) land the spoils at the third time of asking for Eamonn ‘Dusty’ Sheehy and Noel O’Reilly. The five-year-old daughter of Workforce showed marked improvement from her spring form, travelling strongly and fencing with utmost fluency.
Luke Turner upped the tempo heading out on the final circuit. Although her advantage briefly narrowed after a slight mistake three out, she quickly regained momentum and stayed on resolutely to overturn the favourite Kano De Thaix by eight lengths.
“She’s improved a lot over the summer and schooled well recently,” Sheehy said. “She’s a nice mare going forward; she’s not slow either. I’d love to keep her but will have to see what the owner says.”
Justifying favouritism
Yewtree Hill (4/1 - 6/4 favourite) was the only horse on the day to oblige for favourite-backers when taking the winners-of-two contest, which attracted strong support as nine of the 11 entries went to post.
The son of Kalanisi brought up a double on the opening weekend of the point-to-point season for the Cian Collins stable.
Fit from a summer campaign on the track, he was always prominent under Barry O’Neill, who began to turn the screw on the final circuit before kicking clear from the fourth last.
From there, the pair never saw another rival, crossing the line eight lengths clear of Fralimonti Bilbery (5/2 - 4/1) in convincing fashion.
This was a most pleasing first start in the pointing field for new owner Robert Armstrong.
ELLEN Doyle got off the mark for the new season in the five-and six-year-old geldings’ maiden, as Escapefromreality (4 - 5/1) produced a remarkable performance to score on his return from an 896-day absence.
Despite Mighty Berkshire being sent off as a hot favourite having brought solid maiden hurdle form to the table, Doyle’s charge, a six-year-old son of Soldier Of Fortune, proved far too strong for his rivals.
Tracking the longtime leader and favourite throughout, he was produced with a well-timed challenge by Brian Dunleavy to take over from the penultimate obstacle before asserting smartly into the straight to stamp his authority on proceedings, scoring by an eased-down 17 lengths from All Night Revival.
“He was a horse we thought a lot of as a four-year-old,” James Doyle said of the Baltimore Stables Syndicate-owned bay.
“He had a bit of an injury, and we gave him the time. Today was a bit of a fact-finding mission, but he did it very well. We’ll see how he comes out of today, but hopefully he can line up in a winners’ contest next.”
Warm welcome
The most warmly-received winner of the day was certainly local handler Mary Whelehan, who was saddling her first runner in the point-to-point field since 2013.
Her Big Tom (10/1), one of the outsiders of the field, scored in the older maiden in convincing fashion. A striking six-year-old grey son of Sageburg, he travelled and jumped fluently throughout before asserting into the straight, stamping his authority over his rivals to score by a decisive five lengths from Roman Parish.
“I want to give huge thanks to Simon Cavanagh,” Whelehan said.
“I use his gallops, and only for him, I wouldn’t be here. I also have to say a huge congratulations and thank you to jockey Brian Barry, he’s given him a brilliant ride.”
THE open novice riders’ contest at this fixture is always hotly contested, and this year’s renewal proved no exception.
With 14 runners going to post, the race was run at a strong pace courtesy of Rocky’s Howya, who forced the early fractions before coming to grief five-out.
From there, it developed into a thrilling duel between Solitary Man (5/1 - 8/1), ridden by Josh Halford, and Magic Sadler under Emily Costello.
After a lengthy deliberation by the judge, Solitary Man was confirmed the winner by a short head, securing success for the Enda Bolger stable in the quickest time on the card.
The seven-year-old son of Champs Elysees has enjoyed a fine career under rules, including five victories and a Grade 3 placing.
Making his first start on the point field, he looks an exciting addition to the open division for the Shanahan family.
“He came here fit from the track and handles good ground well,” Bolger commented.
“We’ll target another open before the winter ground, then give him a break ahead of a spring campaign with some hunter chases in mind.
“The second horse is a nice progressive sort, so I’m very pleased with that result.”
Horse to follow
Be My Fortune (Rob James): He had run a fine race on debut at Tattersalls in May, when only denied by a length. The Soldier Of Fortune gelding looked set to make amends here before crashing out at the final obstacle. If he can bounce back, he should soon shed his maiden tag.