IT was the Co Galway combination of handler Ian McCarthy and rider Eoin Mahon who held the aces at Tipperary Foxhounds rescheduled fixture at Lisronagh last Saturday, when Hearts And Spades (4/5 - 4/6 favourite) completed a double for the pair in the open.
In doing so, he recorded a sixth consecutive success since shedding his maiden tag in the autumn. Settled nicely in the early stages, the seven-year-old son of Maxios moved into contention from the penultimate obstacle, where he swept past runner-up Magic Sadler, before staying on strongly to the finish.
He continues to be a credit to his handler’s wife and owner, Nicki, and is now the horse they all have to beat in the race to be crowned champion point-to-pointer this season.
“He really got into his rhythm and was watching what he was doing today,” said McCarthy, who is operating at an astonishing strike rate, having now sent out six winners from seven spring runners from his Grangecoor base in Co Kildare.
“I’m going to tip away in the opens with him for now. He’s the leading horse, so he just has to have a crack at it.”
Perfect start
The pair’s brace was initiated by the French-bred newcomer Kiss Rose (4/6 - 4/5 joint favourite), who made the perfect start in the five-year-old geldings’ maiden.
He jumped and travelled impressively under Mahon before coming through the centre of his two rivals in the straight and quickened smartly to account for runner-up Holshot by three lengths. The son of Team Flight clocked the fastest time of the day and showed notable speed in the closing stages.
“I always thought a lot of him; he just needed a bit of time,” revealed McCarthy afterwards. “We own him in partnership with the Bleahen family. He’s a smart horse and, hopefully now, he’ll be sales-bound.”
A FIELD of five faced the starter for the four-year-old geldings’ maiden, which produced a smart debut performance from the Pat Doyle-trained Seanchai (5/2 - 2/1 joint favourite), a newcomer son of Walk In The Park.
The €27,000 Tattersalls Ireland Derby Sale graduate jumped his way into a share of the lead under Adam Ryan at the third-last before staying on strongly in the straight to see off the challenges of runner-up Helios Forlonge and long-time leader Marin Du Large, carrying the colours of winning owners Carsena Bloodstock Ltd to victory on their very first outing.
“He’s a lovely, big horse and he’s done everything right from the day he came into the yard,” said the Suirview handler. “He was a hardy boy to break, but I think he has the makings of a good horse.”
Plessis pleases
Another debutante winner came in the shape of the French-bred Milady Du Plessis (4/5 - 1/1 favourite), who struck for handler Mark O’Hare in the opening four-year-old mares’ maiden.
The daughter of Jeu St Eloi was given a patient ride by Declan Lavery before being produced with her challenge from two out.
She appeared to be closing on Aeropress when the leader made a bad mistake and unseated a few strides after the final fence. Once in front, she kept on strongly up the run-in to score in good style for her winning owner and handler’s wife, Sara.
“She was bought for €52,000 at the Derby Sale from Derry White of DAR Bloodstock,” commented the winning handler. “She’s been easy to work with from the start and, to be honest, I came down here fancying her. I’m happy - she is what I thought she was. Hopefully, we’ll find her a good home now.”
No resisting Temptation
Having dominated the autumn fixture here in November by registering a treble on the card, Sam Curling renewed his fondness for the venue when sending out Silent Temptation (4/5 - 4/6 favourite) to land the five-and-six-year-old mares’ maiden.
Carrying the colours of her winning handler, she displayed a smart turn of foot in the closing stages to repel the challenge of runner-up Tiffiny’s Girl and score by a length and a half under Derek O’Connor.
Following a promising debut at Ballyvodock earlier in the month, the daughter of Order Of St George was delivered from off the pace, and even a slight mistake at the last failed to halt her momentum as she quickened to the line.
“She had a lovely run the first day,” explained Curling. “She made a bad mistake, and David didn’t knock her about. Today, Derek was very impressed with her; he said she has plenty of pace.
“Going forward, if she’s not sold, I’d like to go for a bumper with her.”
MUCH credit must go to the hunt committee and their volunteers for getting this rescheduled fixture on, and their efforts were duly rewarded when local Fethard rider Jessica Stokes, who had recorded her first track success in a lady riders’ handicap at the Curragh last October, steered home her first winner between the flags aboard Primitic (5/4 favourite) in the concluding older maiden.
Trained by her father Nicky and owned by her mother Anna, the eight-year-old made all the running at a track he clearly enjoys, having previously finished second and third here, and was pushed out to a comfortable seven-and-a-half-length victory, delivering a memorable family triumph.
“He’s a safe horse and a gentleman to do anything with,” Stokes said afterwards. “I met Colin Bowe in Doncaster and asked if he had anything suitable for Jessica to ride. He said this horse was well schooled, to take him home, and that he’d give us great fun - and he was true to his word. Wherever we go next, he’s done his job now, and we’re delighted.”
Horse to Follow
Helios Forlonge (M. Flynn O’Connor): The €75,000 Derby Sale graduate by Cokoriko out of a three-time winning half-sister to dual Grade 1 winner Asterion Forlonge, lost nothing in defeat on debut.
He moved into contention on the outside early in the straight and ran on strongly but just failed to match the smart winner.
This was an excellent performance, and he looks set to develop into a successful track recruit for new connections.