DESPITE unsettled weather conditions, those who attended Stowlin were treated to some quality fare as Derek O’Connor continued his drive for the champion riders’ title with a fine treble on the afternoon.

That began in division two of the four-year-old geldings’ maiden when partnering Grand Souverain (2/1 – evens favourite), whom he also trains.

Carrying the silks of owner Margret Bleahen, this striking grey son of Clovis Du Berlais was having his second career start, having finished fourth on debut in Ballinaboola back in February.

Always travelling ominously well at the head of affairs and fencing with accuracy throughout, he had many of his rivals hard ridden in behind facing for home in what was a commanding pillar-to-post success, as he defeated Magellan D’Irelande by six and a half lengths.

“That’s a lovely result, the Bleahen family had a sad loss, their sister Caroline passed away, it’s lovely to win a race for them at their local track with all their family present, I hope it gives them a little pick up,” O’Connor said.

“He’s very good, there’s no question about it, the reason he hasn’t run since Ballinaboola is my horses have been under the weather.”

The five-year-old and upwards mares’ maiden formed the second leg for the treble aboard Back In Favour (3/1).

Best form

A daughter of Shirocco, she was having her fifth start of the season and carried the best form into this contest, having finished a close second in Castletown-Geoghegan a few weeks previous.

Waited with towards the rear for much of the race, the Latin Partnership-owned mare threw down a strong challenge to form a line of four jumping the last and stayed on powerfully to the line under O’Connor to score by three-quarters of a length from Chique Angel.

“Fintan, Blane and Clive Early and the Early family, they live right beside me at home and have been in horses their whole lives, we get on like a house on fire, and it’s a wonderful success,” said rider and trainer O’Connor.

“She might actually go to the track as she’s got a bit of speed, she actually quickened well there today, and she might possibly go for a mare’s summer bumper.”

Ultra-consistent mare The Great Unknown (1/2 favourite) bounced back to winning ways for the Sam Curling yard after being held in third at Dromahane a week earlier to seal a fine treble on the afternoon for O’Connor.

Stalking the long-time leader, Rebel Treaty, in second throughout, the winner moved into a challenging position and took up the lead approaching the third last. She asserted before two from home and stamped her class to run out an impressive 17-length winner for owner Adelia Greer.

ONE of the most impressive performances of the afternoon came in the opening four-year-old mares’ maiden in the form of Chicks For Free (4/1 co-favourite).

Sent to the head of affairs after nearly a circuit by Luke Murphy, the winner quickened into a sizeable advantage of 10 lengths and fenced impeccably throughout.

She had the race in safe keeping a long way from home and had many of her rivals toiling in her wake before three out, as she ultimately coasted to a 13-length winning margin over Maxi Mirage.

“She’s a mare with a big engine, she was jumping and travelling so well after a mile, I just let her bowl along,” Murphy said of the mare that he also owns and trains. “She eyed up every fence and has a great attitude, she’s a big engine.”

Dominant display

Division one of the four-year-old geldings’ maiden saw Noel McParlan finish alone aboard Drumlee Jet (4/1), owned and trained by his father Sean.

The winner was always travelling close to the pace throughout, and this debutant son of Jet Away moved ominously well throughout as he quickened into a share of the lead approaching three from home.

Such was the winner’s authority over the field that he was the only finisher, with most of his rivals reduced to a walk up the home straight. A €9,000 store purchase, he is out of a dam that won once over jumps and is related to a host of winners.

“He’s a lovely horse, he’s done everything so easily,” the winning rider said. “It was a bit freakish the way he does things. He does everything that easy at home he was either going to win very impressively or be disappointed.”

STEPHEN Connor guided Glendaars Prince (4/1) to victory in the five-year-old geldings’ maiden for handler Stephen Carlin on what was the winner’s second career start.

Never too far off the pace, the eventual winner, who is owned and bred by Frank Reynolds, moved into a challenging position three from home and stayed on well.

Having been half a length down approaching the last, he showed a game attitude to forge on close home and prevail by two lengths from Absence Of Ego.

The concluding event of the afternoon, a maiden for six-year-olds and upwards that was confined to novice riders went the way of Cebu City (3/1 co-favourite) to provide Robertstown native Max Farrell with a first career success.

Carrying the silks of owner Daryl Deacon, the Sony Carey-trained son of Ocovango was always prominent throughout. The winner and eventual runner-up, Special Protector, quickened smartly on the turn for home to form a great duel, and it was Cebu City who stayed on powerfully to the line to score by six lengths.

Horse to follow

Dowhatyourtold (B. Lawless): A son of Crystal Ocean, he produced a fine effort on debut. Despite being held in second when falling at the penultimate fence, he displayed enough ability to show he can land a similar contest if he steps forward from the run.