POPULAR local trainer Michael Winters landed the featured Coolmore N.H. Sires Kyprios Handicap Chase with River Vale (10/3). Prominent throughout under Gavin Brouder, the Down To The Alley Syndicate-owned gelding led from the third last and kept on strongly to win by one and three-quarter lengths.
Winters said: “He was unlucky as the young fella who rode him [at Thurles in early February] weighed in light after finishing second and then was clear, only to fall at the final fence (Thurles in mid-February). There was €13,000 in the difference in prize money between those.
“This syndicate, from Duhallow, are a good old gang and there are about four birthday parties tonight, so this is falling in lovely!”
One place better
The Eamon Courtney-trained Oaks Soldier (13/8 favourite) recorded a first career success when keeping on well in the Leisure Dome Ltd. Marquee Hire Maiden Hurdle. Valerie Courtney’s homebred led after the last under Carl Millar and kept on to prevail by a neck from Jackmoon.
Eamon Courtney said: “He has shown us that at home and was unlucky when beaten by just a nose at Thurles. Carl gave him a lovely, patient ride and the plan was to come late. Philip O’Brien is with me and we have a great working relationship - Philip does all the work and I take all the credit!”
The David Barry-trained Zambezi Moon (80/1) upset some better fancied rivals when landing the Pegus Horse Feed Point-To-Point Flat Race under Cal Shine. Held up in rear, Patrick Culloty’s homebred came through to lead over a furlong out and went on to win by three and a half lengths.
Jockey called it
Barry said: “He had been doing it at home but not in his point-to-points. It was brave to come here on his form but Darragh Allen rode him in work last week and said he won’t be out of the first three, and he was right.
“It was a pity he couldn’t ride him, as he had done everything with him, but is in Fairyhouse today. Cal gave him a might ride and I’m delighted to get it. He’ll have a summer campaign now as he likes that ground.”
DAVID Christie gained a poignant success as Journey With Me landed the Jack Tyner Memorial Hunters Chase in the trainer’s own colours. Sent off 13/2 under David Doyle, the former Grade 2 winner prevailed by a neck from 11/8 favourite Asian Master.
Christie revealed: “I’ve been trying to win this race for a long time. Jack never rode for me but I often walked the point-to-point tracks in the north with him and his father, Robert. They are a lovely family and he was a lovely lad.”
He added: “Journey With Me was bought to race in Aintree’s Foxhunters but we couldn’t get him there and we will probably run in Punchestown.”
Well-earned win
The Liam Burke-trained Tiffiny’s Girl (10/3) was rewarded for her consistency when making the breakthrough in the Rathbarry & Glenview Studs Mares Maiden Hunters Chase. The Mrs Esther Dineen’s homebred led from three out and kept on well to score by 12 lengths under Johnny Barry.
Barry said: “She jumped and travelled great the whole way. She had bumped into a couple of good ones in point-to-points but she appreciated today’s nicer ground and won nicely.”
Nice surprise
Having failed to trouble the judge in three maiden runs, the Mark McNiff-trained Houndsworth caused a 40/1 upset when winning the Finbarr Quaid Electrical Handicap Hurdle in a first-time tongue tie.
The Ciaran Grogan-owned reserve was held up by Richie Deegan and improved from two out, led at the last and went on to score by six lengths. The stewards enquired into Houndsworth’s apparent improvement in form, with McNiff’s authorised representative reporting that this was the horse’s first run following wind surgery, which was noted.
Deegan said: “I was talking to Mark and he just told me to drop him in and see what happens. He said if the race was there to win, all the better. He jumped beautifully.”
Born Believing now two from two
CLAIRE O’Connell and son Dara enjoyed success in the final race of the Easter Festival as Born Believing got up close home to win the Cork & Waterford Mares’ Point-To-Point Flat Race. Successful on her sole previous start at Belharbour in February, she had to dig deep to remain unbeaten, prevailing by a head on the line from a game Tintara inside.
The winning owner/breeder/trainer said: “We might go for a winners’ bumper now and she won’t go over hurdles until next autumn. She is improving all the time and is still a bit green, so she’ll improve away.
“Dara is doing his Leaving Cert this year so isn’t allowed ride over jumps until then and has to go back to study now! Hopefully he’ll get into college and he is staying riding as an amateur too.”
Tadhg Stafford rode his first winner under rules as Lawful Ruler landed the John Thomas McNamara Series Maiden Hunters Chase in the colours of James Joseph Stafford, for Tadhg’s uncle, trainer Paul Stafford.
The seven-year-old provided Tadhg Stafford with his first point-to-point win in November and was sent off 22/1 here.
The seven-year-old led from three out and, after being headed approaching the final fence, battled back to win by a head.
James Stafford commented: “Tadhg loves racing and always has done, so this is a wonderful day. He’d love to stay race-riding but is a tall lad so his weight might come against him.
“Tadhg rides out for Paul and my daughter Abbie, who has a point-to-point handlers’ licence, and also for Conor Maxwell and Ian Donoghue.”