THE annual Bruff point-to-point took place amid glorious autumn sunshine, which drew a large crowd to the Limerick venue.
The in-form Jack Doyle yard continued its blistering start to the season, maintaining a 50% strike rate when Limit Of The Law (6/4 - 3/1) landed the four-year-old maiden under Adam Ryan.
Never far off the pace, the winner moved menacingly into contention approaching the third-last before being produced to lead on the long run to two out.
The son of Pillar Coral faced a battle with Wild Lands approaching the last as the pair drew clear, only for the latter to blunder and fall, leaving Limit Of The Law to record a five-length success in the colours of the Kate Costello & Brothers Syndicate.
“I bought him up in Fairyhouse,” reported Pat Doyle. “I couldn’t come home without him because he was such a good mover and a good-looking horse. Pillar Corals aren’t everyone’s cup of tea, but he has a pedigree and he is going to improve plenty.”
Sheen shines for O’Connor
Paurick O’Connor sent out his second winner of the season when Sheen Falls (6/1) landed the five-year-old geldings’ maiden.
Having tracked the long-time leader Harry Stylish in second for much of the contest, Sheen Falls dropped to third on the run to two out and was hard ridden by Billy Coonan.
The winner remained half a length down in second jumping the last, but did his best work late on under a strong drive to overhaul Secret Order by five lengths.
The son of Dartmouth, who carried the colours of the Three Dudes Syndicate, was purchased for £30,000 as a store, is out of a four-time track winner and is related to a host of winners.
“Juliet Minton picked him out with me at the sales. The two of us have been very lucky together in the past,” added O’Connor.
Third time lucky
Derby Rock (evens) headed to post for the six-year-old geldings’ maiden having already finished second twice this season, and duly obliged for handler-rider Pa King.
Carrying the colours of King’s wife, Áine, the son of Milan was prominent throughout and led from flagfall.
He and the eventual runner-up Gaoithe Glory opened up an advantage of some 50 lengths over the remainder of the field on the long run to two out.
King’s mount stuck to his task well, forging a couple of lengths clear approaching the last before going on to win by five lengths.
“He ran a cracker the last day and the big, staying track really suited him today. He likes to get on with things and he is a good jumper,” King said.
“He will probably go for a winners’ race now. He also has a nice mark on the track, so that could be an option.”
KERRY native Jayden Chute enjoyed a red-letter day when recording his first career success aboard the Gerry Mangan-trained What Path (evens - 1/2 favourite) in the open lightweight contest for novice riders.
The nine-year-old son of Coastal Path had finished third at Castletown-Geoghegan on his seasonal reappearance last month and raced in mid-division for much of this contest.
He moved into second to challenge the long-time leader In Excelsis Deo before two out and, having been ridden patiently, established a length advantage approaching the last.
What Path extended his lead on the run-in to score by four lengths for owner John Griffin.
Track specialist
The concluding contest went the way of Charleville-based handler Jonathan Fitzgerald, who sent out Rongoright (7/4 - 9/4) to land the winners-of-three.
The son of Conduit displayed a clear liking for the track, having also won at the venue in April. The six-year-old travelled and jumped with ease at the head of affairs under Mark O’Flynn.
Approaching two out, he appeared to have the odds-on favourite, who had tracked his every move in second, in trouble.
Rongoright asserted further on the run to the last, opening up a comfortable advantage before scoring by five lengths for owner P.J. O’Donoghue.
THE five-year-old mares’ maiden looked a match on paper between Miss Tipp, who had produced a fine debut effort at Umma House a few weeks earlier, and the Denis Leahy-trained Unfastened (3/1), who brought strong form from last season into the contest.
It was the latter who prevailed, running out a decisive 18-length winner under Eoin O’Brien.
The daughter of Walk In The Park was making just her fourth career start, having most recently finished third at Ballindenisk last season.
Unfastened moved through to lead four from the finish and was locked in a duel with the eventual runner-up on the run to two out, with the pair drawing some 20 lengths clear of their rivals.
The winner maintained a strong gallop approaching the last before stretching clear to record the widest-margin success of the afternoon in the colours of owner-breeder Heather Buckle.
“I’m pleased to finally get that done. I thought she was a nice mare last year, but she was just immature and she probably still is,” Leahy admitted.
“I’m delighted for Heather. The mare is homebred by her.
“She flew in today from Essex and she is flying out again tonight. She is a great supporter of the yard.”
Horse to follow
Harry Stylish (D. Sheehy): The son of Harzand was having his second career start, having pulled up at Ballysteen in April. He led from flagfall and was in the process of running a fine race in third when falling at the last. He should prove competitive next time if stepping forward from this effort.