NOEL Meade’s top earner Jesse Evans (7/4 favourite) gained his first win of the year at Listowel on Monday, where the Galway festival bridesmaid landed the John J. Galvin Chase under jockey Sam Ewing.
Carrying the colours of Jack Singleton, the veteran 10-year-old made almost all the running to score by nine lengths from Blood Destiny, whose final fence blunder ended his chances.
Regarding Jesse Evans, runner-up in two Galway Hurdles and in last year’s Galway Plate, Ewing reported: “You wouldn’t ride much quicker than him in getting from A to B over a jump and we changed tactics today, and he won well.
“To be honest, I hadn’t fully gone for him until after the last fence so I thought I had (runner-up) Blood Destiny covered and he jumps so quick, that it would taken a fair one to get by him. He is a good horse and there is plenty of more fun to be had with him on that ground.”
I Spy a winner
Most valuable race was the €25,000 Join Racing TV Now Handicap Hurdle, which was won by father-and-son combination of Charles and Philip Byrnes, with Spy (17/2).
The pair had suffered a reversal through Thursday’s controversial disqualification of Marian Avenue at Limerick but today enjoyed better fortune with Spy, who was ridden wide and arrived late to score by a half-length from Becasse.
Charles Byrnes reported: “Philip kept Spy out on the good ground which made all the difference and while it didn’t look likely for a while, he kept at it well.
“He had a good run here last September but is a small bit of a monkey and keeps a bit to himself. Philip was good and strong on him and we’re delighted to get the win with him.”
Hot streak
Henry de Bromhead and Darragh O’Keeffe continued their excellent form in landing the opening Nora Canty (Mares) Maiden Hurdle with Salsinha (4/6 favourite).
Carrying the colours of owner Dr Peter FitzGerald, the Montmartre mare made all the running when scoring by four and a half lengths from Fraher Field. O’Keeffe said: “She had the form in the book, she jumped out handy, and she jumped really well. She is a mare we’ve always liked, and I’m delighted for her owners that she has done that today.”
DONERAILE-based trainer Brendan Walsh followed up a Saturday course success, with Knockbrack Rambler (12/1) in the John B. Keane Beginners Chase.
Ridden by Philip Enright, the nine-year-old raced prominently throughout and held on to score by a half-length from Tropical Image.
Walsh stated: “Vincent O’Connor and his wife Mary are from nearby in Abbeyfeale, so that’s why this winner is so popular. Plenty of people seem to have backed him too.
“He had been running in the heavy ground and we just changed things up today, and jumped out in front. He locked-on for Phillip and no better man up on his back. We’ll enjoy today and he might get the grass now, as the ground will be getting hard.”
Funny story
Trainer Andrew Kinirons had an interesting tale to tell following the success of his Tom Mulvey-owned Shannon Bank (8/1) in the Southern Waste Management Handicap Hurdle.
Having scored by three-parts of a length from Patty O’Farrell, Kinirons commented: “I’m delighted for Tom Mulvey as we have right craic over how I got to train this horse. I previously trained a horse called Luker’s Tipple for a group of lads who drink with Tom in Luker’s Pub in Shannonbridge.
“When the lads were moving my horse from Gavin Cromwell, Tom – without even knowing me – said ‘what’s this lad Kinirons’ number?’, and moved this mare from Gavin’s to me instead! Tom is a sound man, but unfortunately couldn’t make it down today.”
He added: “She is a game mare, but I had a bit of convincing to get Sean (O’Keeffe) off last year’s winner (and today’s runner-up Patty O’Farrell) to ride this mare, but he listened thank God and gave her a great ride.”
OWNER/trainer Michael ‘Trixie’ Barry was on the mark with Bartlemy Boy (10/1) in the Beasley Engineering Hunters Chase, as the capable hunter scored under unrelated rider Johnny Barry.
Held up in mid-division, the eight-year-old was produced to lead on the run-in, and scored by half a length from Hunt Away, which had erred at the final fence.
Trainer Barry said: “It has been a long year with him and while he won a couple of point-to-points, things didn’t go his way in the hunter chases. He was off the bridle with a circuit to go today so yer man gave him a super ride.”
“We hadn’t a bad year in general as he won two point-to-points and I won with another one as well. I only have three or four horses, so it is easy enough to keep us happy!”
Stylish success
The concluding Bryan MacMahon Memorial Bumper was won stylishly by the Joey Dunne-partnered Thelittleballerina (5/6 favourite), for trainer Ian Donoghue and owner/breeder James Dunne.
Held up in rear, Dunne oozed confidence on the five-year-old mare who scored easily from Martymill. Donoghue reported: “She was straightforward and Joey was very good on her, but said he was lucky not be brought down (by slipping-up Minnatrix).
“She is a lovely mare, was a bit gassy in the first mile, but Joey was full of confidence and took her back, and she won snugly.
“There have been a few enquiries about buying her since she won at Clonmel, but nothing has happened and she is still for sale. I’d love to hold on to her in my yard and don’t want to lose her, so we’ll see what happens now.”