A BLUSTERY day swept the Cavan and Meath border as the Ballymacad point-to-point took place on the Cosgrove family farm for the 52nd occasion.
The Milestone Bloodstock-owned Goodbye Earl (8/1 - 10/1) built on his debut third at Farmacaffley to record a game success in the four-year-old maiden, having registered the fastest time of the day in the process.
Purchased by Colin Bowe for €58,000 at the Goffs Arkle sale, this gelding comes from the family of Thyestes winner Invitation Only, and he showed plenty of guts and stamina here.
The son of Poet’s Word disputed the lead alongside Bays Hill from the third last and, after deflecting the attentions of that rival, he was joined by Hillsyde Hope.
Although he seemed in trouble before that rival’s mistake, it is difficult to say he was beaten after the way he finished to defeat Ramese De Great by two lengths.
“He did that very well,” jockey Bertie Finn said. “Barry [O’Neill] said beforehand, to keep it simple on him. He finished third the last day, but Barry was still very happy with him.
“It’s a tough track [Farmacaffley] up there in the north. He jumped savage and quickened well to the line. He’s a nice horse.”
Fast finish
The five-year-old geldings’ maiden produced the most exciting finish of the day, as Dennehys Cross (5/1 - 6/1) held on from the fast-finishing favourite, Noble Fleet, by a head, after the departure of both Giomibe and Jeu De Maine at the fourth last opened the contest up.
Owned and trained by Virginia Considine, this son of Mukhadram settled behind the pace before being left in front after four out.
A mistake at the second last put the half-brother to Grade 2-winner Hurricane Harvey under some pressure. However, he stuck to his task under Joey Dunne and held off the Tinahely runner-up Noble Fleet.
“We were getting a little bit worried because I didn’t know if he’d handle that ground, but everything he did at home was always very good,” Considine explained.
“If the horses hadn’t fallen, he would’ve got a better run through because he’s green enough still. There’s loads of improvement to come. He’s for sale now.”
THE opening four-year-old mares’ maiden was won on debut by Miss Master (3/1 - 5/1), who produced an eye-catching performance. The daughter of Masterstroke was given a patient ride by Stephen Connor.
Stuart Crawford’s £6,000 store made up a lot of ground after the third last and was produced to lead before the last. She kept on well up the run-in to cross the line four lengths in advance of the favourite She Was The One.
Acting as both handler and owner, Crawford stated: “We bought her off Juliet and David Minton at Doncaster last year, and she has a nice wee pedigree.
“She’s a really good-moving, speedy-looking filly, and I always thought she’d want decent ground. Just with the ground we’ve had though, any time we’ve schooled her she’s been terrific and I wasn’t worried at all about coming here. She’s a top filly. I suppose we have to sell now.”
Snow-covered success
The five-year-old mares’ maiden was captured by the Nigel Slevin-trained Missouri Snow (6/4 - 2/1). Purchased by Slevin’s wife Judith Long for €1,400 as a foal from Tattersalls, the daughter of Mizzou was dropped in under Harry Swan.
She started to move into contention before the second last and travelled ominously well thereafter, before she asserted early in the straight and was not stopping at the line to defeat Secret Of Elegance by five lengths.
“She’s a nice big filly. We were expecting her to run alright,” detailed Nigel Slevin. “She did it well in the end. Harry seemed happy and said she picked up well at the back of the last. If anyone wanted her, we’d sell her.”
THE feature race of the day was the open lightweight, which was captured by the prolific Fountain House (4/6 favourite), who claimed the lead late on under Eoin Mahon to score by two lengths.
Ian McCarthy’s charge moved into contention before the third last.
The eight-year-old came under pressure approaching the straight and, although the response was not immediate, the Nikki McCarthy-owned bay wound up and put in a strong finishing effort to run down Macs Charm and prevail by two lengths.
“I’m delighted, the ground conditions probably aren’t in his favour,” explained the in-form McCarthy.
“We’ll give him a run before Punchestown, and most likely head to the banks race on the Tuesday, the Ladies’ Cup.”
The concluding unplaced maiden was taken in facile fashion by Thehandsomecharmer (2/1 favourite), who stormed to a 14-length success.
Back from a mid-season break and down notably in grade, the son of Saddex was held up by Declan Lavery before moving confidently into contention after the fourth last.
He cut his way through from that point and toyed with his only remaining challenger, Diamonds And Denim, after the second last, before quickening clear to win at his ease.
He appears to have taken a step forward and should be a contender in winners’ company.
Jamie Codd, speaking on behalf of his father, winning handler Billy Codd, said: “Paddy Keane bred him, and he owns him.
“He’s a next-door neighbour of ours, so we’re delighted for Paddy, it’s lovely. We’ll probably run him in a winners’ race.”
Horse to follow
Hillsyde Hope (S. O’Gorman): This home-bred of Andrew English’s showed a fair bit of potential here on debut. The Jet Away gelding held every chance on the approach to the last; however, he guessed at the final fence, which knocked all the wind out of his sail. He kept on in the closing stages for James Murray, but confidence must be taken from this showing, as he can only improve, making him a worthy candidate next time out.