WHILE Storm Austen made life unpleasant for many on Saturday, it’s presence didn’t extend to that afternoon’s Island Foxhounds meeting at Peppards Castle.

The Sean Doyle-owned and trained mare Between Waters (5/2 - 3/1) lit up the fixture for many by destroying the opposition in the ladies open.

The eight-year-old, who had five previous points successes to her credit, led until headed at the fourth fence in this six-runner contest, and was then left second behind clear leader Mickie Angel when Magic Sadler departed at the eighth of 15 obstacles.

The pacesetter’s advantage was whittled back from three out and Between Waters coasted to the front on the inner under Nicole Lockhead Anderson after the second last, returning with 10 and a half lengths to spare over Galon De Vauzelle.

“It’s great to have her back as she lost her way and a handful of mine were not quite right in the spring,” admitted Doyle of the Walk In The Park-sired winner.

“Nicole gave her a super ride, and if it stays raining, she could run in the hunters chase in Fairyhouse in a couple of weeks’ time.”

Ding-dong tussle

Jamie Scallan, fresh from his success aboard Cian Collins’ Brandt at Cheltenham the previous evening, teamed up with Seamus Neville to collect the six-year-old and upwards maiden aboard ex-track performer Boston Common (3/1 - 4/1).

The six-year-old was always positioned at the head of affairs as he disputed the running with Elusive Gale until edging into a narrow advantage setting out on the final circuit.

Grandioso came through to overtake the eventual winner briefly after three out and was engaged in a ding-dong tussle from two out.

Boston Common, in the silks of trainer Neville’s wife Ina, was holding a half-length advantage over Grandioso when Josh Berry’s mount exited at the last, and it was the mare Pointe A Pitre that then finished second some eight lengths adrift.

The Neville’s son William reported: “We’ll probably try a winners’ race now to build his confidence and then go back to the track hopefully.”

Murphy’s milestone

Frankie Murphy excelled by riding a 10th career winner aboard owner/trainer Harley Dunne’s Brume D’Ete (2/1 - 5/2) in the five and six-year-old mares’ maiden.

Murphy sent the recent Toomebridge third through to dispute on the inner after six out and the race concerned just her and runner-up Amaretto Sout on the final circuit.

The daughter of Victory Note landed the faster over two out and was always in command as she kept the rallying Amaretto Sour at bay to score by a length and a half.

“She’s a big mare that didn’t handle the sharp track at Toomebridge, and she was much better today,” said Dunne.

COLIN Bowe has been fast out of the blocks this season and, having sent out five winners across the board at Umma House and Tinahely the previous Sunday, the former champion handler was on the mark with newcomer Morning Fog (6/4 - 3/1), who overcame major adversity in running to oblige in the four-year-old maiden.

Morning Fog set off close to the pace in this 13-runner contest only to be the victim of major bunching on the inner after three out.

Barry O’Neill refused to panic and switched him to the outer and made progress into fifth at the second last. The son of Jukebox Jury rose his effort after this penultimate fence by surging to the front approaching the last obstacle.

Although blundering here, the grey still came home with two and a half lengths to spare over the front-running favourite Steak And Wine.

“He’s a lovely horse, and Barry says that he had to go around them all,” relayed Bowe of the Milestone Bloodstock Ltd-owned €80,000 Derby sale graduate.

“He’s a gutsy sort that wanted to win and he’s one of the better ones.”

GARY Murphy is another with his string on fire at present and the Co Wexford operator welcomed back Secret Dispatch (2/1 – 6/4 favourite) following his clear-cut debut victory in the four-year-old auction maiden.

Secret Dispatch was soon disputing the running with The Clever Twist until edging ahead with Shane O’Rourke from three out.

The son of Soldier Of Fortune, a €22,000 Derby sale graduate, was clearly travelling best from the second last and fought off Conholt Hill by four lengths in the familiar Turbine Syndicate silks.

Wexford winners

Wexford-trained horses won all six races and owner/trainer Denis Murphy got in on the act by striking with Keppols Poet (2/1 - 3/1) in the five-year-old geldings’ maiden.

Last season’s Ballysteen runner-up gave a superb display of fencing upsides in front and eased into a couple of lengths advantage before two out.

With rider Shane Cotter looking around for non-existent dangers approaching the last, the son of Poet’s Word wasn’t seriously troubled to beat newcomer Kartujano by three and a half lengths.

Keppols Poet will now be offered at the forthcoming Tattersalls sale after racing at Cheltenham on November 13th.

Horse to follow

Hit The Spot (J. Kenny): After pulling up on his two spring outings, this son of Getaway was seen in a totally different light on his return in the four-year-old maiden. He briefly led away from the second last and was beaten four and a half lengths when dead heating for third spot. An eye-filling sort, he should progress sufficiently to make his mark on the track next year.