THE East Down Foxhounds hosted their second fixture of the year at the seaside venue of Tyrella on Saturday, where the Denis Murphy stable recorded their first four-year-old winner of 2026 courtesy of Newgrove (11/4 - 7/2).
The opening contest saw eight four-year-olds go to post, with only one having previous experience. Murphy’s newcomer was positioned in mid-division and given a well-judged ride by Cotter.
Beginning to make his move heading out on the final circuit, the well-related son of Doyen, who was acquired for €38,000 at the Tattersalls Derby Sale, produced a notably superior leap three out to take up the running.
Turning for home, he quickened impressively towards the final obstacle, and although he did give connections a brief fright as he stumbled at the back of the last, the contest had already been put to bed, and he scored by 13 lengths over Mon Missel, proving himself a class above his rivals.
“All his work at home had been excellent, so we were expecting a big run,” Cotter stated. “He did it well and jumped brilliantly the whole way. He’s got plenty of speed and should be a nice horse going forward.”
McGill’s combine
The five- and six-year-old geldings’ maiden went the way of the Gary McGill-trained Clementshill Lad (4/1), ridden by the handler’s son Oran.
The five-year-old son of Order Of St George brought course form into the race, having finished fourth on debut at the same venue back in January. He was given a patient ride in mid-division, fencing fluently throughout before making steady headway on the final circuit.
The manner in which he moved onto the heels of the leader and eventual runner-up was particularly eye-catching, as the pair quickened into the home straight and battled gamely to the final obstacle.
Fastest time
From there, the Stephen McMullan-owned winner got the upper hand and stayed on strongly to score comfortably by three lengths from Johnjoes Lad whilst clocking the fastest time of the day.
“I was hoping he’d put in a performance like that after running well around here the first day,” the winning rider said. “He takes a bit of coaxing along, but once he got there, he was doing it with ease. I’d say he’ll probably be offered for sale now.”
Cormac Byrne’s fine season continued in the older maiden for novice riders, as the narrow victory of Sledgehammer (3/1 - 10/3) brought the Ballindaggin native’s tally for the current campaign to three, matching his haul from last season.
A sole ride on the card for the 20-year-old, the Cormac Farrell-trained six-year-old battled gamely, as the Ballymaglassan Farm Partnership-owned son of Affinisea denied Minella Cristal by a neck.
WEST Of Idaho (1/1 favourite) backed up his win at the venue in January for the David Christie stable in the winners’ of one contest.
Positioned towards the rear early on, the six-year-old son of Idaho was ridden from four out but kept responding to close on the leaders. Turning into the straight, he still had work to do, but he showed admirable attitude, sticking to his task and battling gamely to the line to get his head in front where it mattered, scoring by a length and a quarter from Lawful Ruler.
Barry O’Neill, rider of the Ray Nicholls-owned victor, commented: “Things didn’t really go according to plan. We got caught in a bit of a pocket. However, he’s a very tough horse, and he pulled it out when it mattered. I’d imagine he might contest the maiden hunters’ chase at Downpatrick.”
The second winners’ contest of the day was an adjacent hunt race, which attracted the smallest field of the afternoon.
Progressive
Gerald Quinn-produced Clough Clouds (4/6 favourite) just seven days after his previous success at Farmacaffley, and the progressive six-year-old duly obliged once again, scoring by a length from the maiden Drumconnor Hill.
Justifying his favourite’s tag, the son of Cloudings was prominent throughout under his regular partner, Noel McParlan, and they launched their challenge on the approach to the straight before they kept on gamely in what had been a steadily-run affair that developed into something of a sprint finish.
From the back of the last, Clough Clouds ultimately proved a class above his rivals and pulled clear to score comfortably in the colours of Mervyn Adams.
“We’ve had the maiden hunters’ chase at Downpatrick in mind for him for a while, so we might give him a small break and bring him back for that,” Quinn said.
Kenny’s Girl a first for Devitt
THE ORPHAN GIRL (9/2 - 5/1) provided a memorable day for both rider Graham Devitt, who recorded his first career winner, and handler James Kenny, who saddled his first winner since taking over the license from his father Liam.
The daughter of Quest For Peace gained a well-deserved victory in the five and six-year-old mares’ maiden, having been running consistently late.
Out of a half-sister to the 11-time flat winner Saint Hilarion, she set a strong gallop from the drop of the flag and recorded a pillar-to-post success.
Holding an advantage of around 10 lengths heading out on the final circuit, she was joined approaching the home straight, but ultimately proved tough, staying on gamely to score by a convincing two lengths from the newcomer Princess Aveen.
“She jumped well the whole way and she really stuck at it,” Kenny said. “She had some good placed form coming into the race, so it’s nice to see her get her head in front. If she’s not sold, she could go for the winners’ race. It’s also Graham Devitt’s first winner as a jockey, so I’m delighted for him.
“I took over the licence from my dad this season, and that’s my first official winner as well, so it’s brilliant.”
Princess Aveen (I. McCarthy): A debutante homebred daughter of Court Cave, she joined the long-time leader approaching the straight and stuck to her task well. Considerably less experienced than her conqueror, she should improve for the run and is one to note next time.