FORMER 132-rated hurdler Bugs Moran showed that he’s a classy recruit to the hunt racing sphere by making his initial start in this code a victorious one in the novice rider’s open.
The middle leg of a treble for rider Michael Kenneally, Bugs Moran (5/2 - 3/1 favourite) was having an initial start for handler Eugene O’Sullivan on his return from a near 18-month lay-off. The eight-year-old was sent off favourite and he moved to the front from the third of the 13 obstacles, giving a foot-perfect round of fencing at the head of affairs.
The son of Pour Moi had King Alex as his closest pursuer and could already be called the most likely victor when throwing another fabulous leap two out. He then effortlessly strode clear before the last to cast aside King Alex by seven lengths.
With handler O’Sullivan travelling to the Stradbally fixture, his nephew Alan remarked of the Tomas Singleton-owned Bugs Moran: “He is a horse that has always had the class. He has also had a few problems and, hopefully, he will go on to have a good season now. The plan will probably be to go for a hunters chase at Cork on Easter Monday.”
Kicking off the treble
The Dungourney native instigated his hat-trick aboard owner/trainer Edmund Power’s newcomer Nova Nako (7/1 - 10/1) in the four-year-old geldings’ maiden.
Nova Nako was responsible for a blistering pace as he led from the third fence and the son of Tirwanako had all of his rivals, apart from favourite Coconut Man, burned off on rounding the turn into the home straight before three out.
Coconut Man, however, erred at this third-last fence and Nova Nako readily rose his effort on the flat by readily powering clear to beat the market leader by seven and a half lengths.
Dungarvan-based handler Power, who has run just one other horse this season, acquired Nova Nako for €10,000 at last year’s Goffs Arkle sale.
He remarked of the bay brother to two track winners: “This horse did what we thought he would do on his homework. Michael gave him a very good enterprising ride from the front.
“My son Kieran couldn’t ride him as he wouldn’t have been able to use his five-pound claim. He will now probably be sold.”
Three of three
The 29-year-old Kenneally brought up his initial career three-timer, moving onto the eight-winner mark for the season in the process, by landing the five-year-old and upwards maiden aboard owner/trainer/breeder James Condon’s newcomer Howsmenoftomorro (4/5 - 1/2 favourite).
This race was restricted to handlers’ that hadn’t previously trained more than 10 winners and, with an additional €1,000 bonus to the winner, it attracted a disappointing entry of six with just two horses being declared.
The five-year-old gelding Howsmenoftomorro set off in front and was in the region of a half-length ahead of rival Woodie Peck Her when that one exited two out.
Goatenbridge-based Condon intimated that the Portage-sired Howsmenoftomorro, a half-brother to his December Ballycrystal mares’ maiden winner Crohan Lady, will now contest a winners’ race.
HANDLER Jonathan Fogarty continued his terrific season by sending out newcomer Storm Queen (3/1 – 6/4 favourite) to record a popular success in the four-year-old mares’ maiden, much to the dismay of the 10 bookmakers present.
Storm Queen was bounced out in front and, having fought off the challenging Icantcatcher from three out, the daughter of Phoenix Of Spain was well in control when making a notable error at the last.
Finian Maguire, however, sat tight aboard the 2022 Goffs Sportman’s Sale graduate and, whilst drifting somewhat right-handed, still fought off Hello Johnjoe by five and a half lengths.
Fogarty remarked of the Gaynestown Stud Partnership-owned chesnut: “Her homework was always very good and she did what we thought she would do. She will be on the market now.”
Thurles-based handler David Murphy opened his account for the season with Ballylicky Bay (3/1 - 4/1) in the five-year-old and upwards mares’ maiden.
The winning daughter of Order Of St George, a pleasing fourth on her initial outing at Lisronagh last month, made her way to the front with Alan O’Sullivan on the inner before two out.
Ballylicky Bay, a granddaughter of the 10-time winning racemare Celtic Native, then kept the closing One Day In May at bay to oblige by a short-head in the colours of her trainer’s father Jeff Murphy.
Scallan makes a late lunge
ON an excellent afternoon for Co Tipperary-trained horses, owner/trainer Tom Keating struck with Burncourt Boy (3/1 - 4/1) in the five-year-old and upwards geldings’ maiden.
Burncourt Boy, who fell when lying a close second two out on his sole start last term at Ballysteen, picked up the running for Jamie Scallan with five fences remaining, only to be overtaken by the sweet-travelling King’s Son approaching three out.
The winning son of Shirocco, a 2023 Goffs Arke sale graduate that pulled up on his return to action in the vintage Lisronagh contest in late February won by Brendaandtheboys, surged back to the front 100 yards out to thwart King’s Son by one and a half lengths.
Horse to Follow
King’s Son (P. A. King): This French-bred newcomer took up the running travelling well approaching three out. Having blundered two out, he was overtaken 100 yards out and beaten a length and a half into second. He seems a definite track prospect that should fare well racing over shorter distances.