THE Shillelagh and District Foxhounds hosted their first fixture of the season at Tinahely, where racegoers were treated to an afternoon of thrilling action across the card at the ever-popular Fairwood Park venue.
The meeting got off to a cracking start in the opening contest as Finisk Pride (3/1 - 4/1) took the four-year-old maiden for Denis Murphy to continue the Co Wexford trainer’s strong start to the new season.
Ridden by Shane Cotter and carrying the familiar orange and white silks of his handler, the son of Wings Of Eagles began to make smooth headway on the approach to the second last fence. Showing an impressive turn of foot, he quickened smartly to draw clear in the straight and ultimately recorded a decisive seven-length victory over debutant runner-up, Impact Sub. Lines Crossed finished a further four lengths back in third.
When reflecting on the performance, Murphy commented: “He had one run in the spring, and he was just very green on that occasion. We let him out to grass for the summer, and he came back a different horse.
“He’s the first Wings Of Eagles horse I’ve trained; he travelled well and was a lot more clued in today. He will be sold now.”
Further success
Winning connections did not have to wait long for further success, as just an hour later Empire Soldier (1/1 - 4/6 favourite) completed a double on the card for the trainer–rider combination when landing the five-year-old geldings’ maiden by four and a half lengths from runner-up Solar Stride.
With only three horses going to post, front-runner Larkfield Lidaho ensured it was a truly-run race by setting a brisk early gallop.
Carrying the colours of his handler once again, the well-backed son of Walk In The Park moved stylishly through to lead early in the straight and used the benefit of previous experience to assert and seal a comfortable success.
“He has plenty of experience having already run over banks,” Murphy revealed. “The whole plan is to go to the Ladies’ Cup with him this season. He’ll probably get a spin around the banks at Lingstown next, and we’ll definitely look at a winners’ race for him also.”
Close-fought finish
Last season’s champion handler Colin Bowe was on the scoresheet early in the afternoon when Ersudaly (9/4 - 5/2) claimed the five-year-old mares’ maiden in a close-fought finish.
The Kayf Tara-sired mare showed plenty of resolve up the run-in to fend off runner-up Ellens Pride by half a length, kickstarting a double for Barry O’Neill and securing victory for owners Milestone Bloodstock Ltd.
In a steady-run contest, several runners were still in contention turning into the straight, but having been held up through the early part, Ersudaly made smooth headway to take up the running before the penultimate obstacle and found plenty when challenged after the last, staying on best to the line.
Speaking on behalf of the winning handler, Brendan Walsh explained: “She had a bit of a mishap when coming down last week and had been a little frustrating previously. We’ve no firm plans for her yet, but I’d imagine we might go down the winners of one route with her now.”
A FIELD of eight runners went to post for the open lightweight, restricted to horses without a previous graded success, and it was Chemical Energy (9/4 - 5/2) who made a winning debut between the flags with a convincing display.
The six-time track winner was delivering success for the American Grand National-winning connections of trainer Gordon Elliott and owners Noel and Valerie Moran, who had been triumphant less than 24 hours previously following Zanahiyr’s victory at Far Hills.
Under a confident ride from Barry O’Neill, Chemical Energy was settled in mid-division through the early stages, jumping fluently throughout.
The nine-year-old moved smartly into contention before the turn-in, struck the front approaching the final fence and drew clear to score by six lengths from favourite Routine Excellence, completing a double on the day for the champion rider.
“It’s been a great 24 hours for Gordon and the Morans,” O’Neill reaffirmed. “I’d imagine the plan is for Chemical Energy to progress down the hunters’ chase route for the season.”
Compensation
Sam Curling and David Doyle did not have to wait long to gain some compensation for the narrow defeat of Ellens Pride, as just 30 minutes later they teamed up for an emphatic victory with Iorens (7/4 – 2/1) in the mares’ winners of one.
The seven-year-old daughter of Coastal Path, owned and trained by Curling, always travelled strongly throughout the six-runner contest.
Having tracked the early pace, Doyle asked his mount to quicken on the approach to the second-last fence, where she responded to her rider’s urgings, cruising into the lead and quickly opening a decisive advantage before bounding clear to score by an ever-widening 14 lengths from runner-up, Mayo Shirocco.
Speaking afterwards, the winning handler reported: “Davy Phelan picked her out and bought her for me from Turlough O’Connor for these types of races. Quick ground is ideal for her, so she may now get a break for the winter and come back fresh for the spring.”
‘Day we’ll never forget’ for Grant family
THIS year’s renewal of the six-year-old and upwards maiden for novice riders will live long in the memory of 19-year-old Co Kilkenny rider Jessica Grant, as she recorded her first career success aboard the David O’Brien-trained Roman Parish (1/1 - 11/10 favourite) on just her seventh ride between the flags.
In what was a true family affair, Roman Parish is owned by his rider’s father, Colm Grant, and had previously finished runner-up in a competitive maiden on the opening weekend of the season.
The seven-year-old made full use of that experience, dictating matters from flag fall and made every post a winning one to run out an impressive 15-length winner over runner-up, Craan Rose.
Winning handler O’Brien was understandably thrilled with the result. “It’s great to have a horse like him for Jessica to get going and gain a bit of experience,” he said.
“It’s fitting that Jessica won on this lad, as he was actually the first horse she ever led up at the races. She started off with me, and she now also rides out for Colin Bowe. It’s a day we’ll never forget.”
Impact Sub (C. Bowe) is a son of Blue Bresil who was well supported before the off. Although he was unable to match the winner from two out, this was still an excellent debut performance. Given this initial experience, he should have no problem shedding his maiden tag in the near future, if not sold in the interim.