ALL roads led to Aghabullogue on Sunday for the first fixture of 2018 and Derek O’Connor dominated the Muskerry Foxhounds-sanctioned meeting by partnering a sparkling two-timer.

On a sunny but yet bitterly cold afternoon, the Galwegian doubled up by giving the Pat Doyle-trained Sydney Paget a masterful waiting ride to claim victory in the Brookfield Leisure Centre open lightweight.

The recent Cork hunters chase winner Wilcosdiana, the only mare in the six-runner field, set out to make all and she had Sammy Black as her closest pursuer until former seven-time track scorer Sydney Paget (11/4-5/2) moved ever closer on the inner starting the steep descent from two out.

The eventual winner, placed on his two autumn forays behind such progressive sort as Eddies Miracle and Ourmanmassini, took command in literally a matter of strides on the approach to the final fence. He then powered clear to record an eighth point’s success by dismissing the gallant Wilcosdiana to the tune of four lengths in the colours of US domiciled owner Roddy O’Byrne. Truckin All Night meanwhile returned a further two and a half lengths adrift in third spot.

In the absence of handler Doyle, his wife Mary reported: “Derek gave the horse a peach of a ride and we will see how he comes out of this before making any future plans.”

O’Connor got the afternoon off to a perfect start by landing the opening Dave Dennehy & Family five and six-year-old mares’ maiden aboard Bay Ambition, trained by Robert Tyner for Noreen O’Brien from Ballyhooley.

One of four newcomers in the seven-runner field, Bay Ambition (2/1) was likewise held up off the pace as Megaboost, Baile Boru and Go Millie Go vied for supremacy up front. The winning daughter of Oscar eased into contention on the descent from the penultimate obstacle and she overtook Youngoconnor before the final fence. It was all relatively straightforward thereafter as the market-leader drew clear to beat Megaboost by two lengths.

Bay Ambition is out of a sister to the dam of Bonny Kate and Mala Beach and she was purchased by O’Brien’s husband Tom Lombard, the former accomplished amateur rider, as a foal at the 2013 Fairyhouse November Sale.

Megaboost’s handler Mick Goff and rider Shane Fitzgerald went one better courtesy of Clondaw Ace, a third last fence faller when travelling well at Templenacarriga the previous Sunday, in the following Goffs UK five-year-old geldings’ maiden.

Clondaw Ace (7/2), who blundered at the third fence, easily worked his way into contention from half-way and he led on the approach to the penultimate of the 16 obstacles. With promising newcomer Burgess King as his closest pursuer after two out, the winning son of Flemensfirth started to assert on the lengthy approach to the final fence.

Whilst Crossley Tender came out of the pack to go second at the last, he was still some four lengths adrift of the triumphant bay at the line, with the pair drawing 10 lengths clear of long-time leader Landofsmiles in third spot.

The in-form Goff disclosed that his wife Catriona’s Clondaw Ace, an early June foal that’s out of a half-sister to Grade 2 novice hurdle winner Court In Motion, won a schooling hurdle with Sean Flanagan at Fairyhouse a few weeks ago and the gelding is likely to be running in new colours when seen again.

SIGNIFICANT GAMBLE

There was yet another Co Wexford-trained winner as Paul Pierce’s newcomer Alsa Mix brought off a quite significant gamble with Jimmy O’Rourke in the W & M Kiely Ltd six-year-old and upwards mares’ maiden, much to the chagrin of the 17 bookmakers present.

The French-bred grey Alsa Mix, a close relation to Byzantium who was acquired by Pierce at the 2016 Derby Sale, made smooth progress off the pace on the ascent from the fifth last.

The victorious six-year-old went to the head of affairs after three out and it was plainly apparent that she was containing Boulta runner-up Cloone Lady from the second last, the winning margin an unextended 10 lengths. Alsa Mix is now on the market, although handler Pierce indicated that his stallion master father Andy’s six-year-old may well have to run again.

Absent handler Alan Fleming and owner Barry Connell, on the mark with Espanito Bello in the Naas bumper, combined to collect the All Plast Engineering Ltd winners of one with the long-absent Timewaitsfornoone.

Acquired by connections for £225,000 at the 2016 Cheltenham festival sale shortly after winning a four-year-old Tinahely maiden point for Colin Bowe, Timewaitsfornoone (evens -8/11) disputed the running from the sixth fence until going on for Declan Queally after halfway. With TJ Goodtymes joining issue four out, a titanic tussle then developed until the successful son of Oscar edged into a narrow advantage coming to the last and he maintained the tempo on the flat to contain Ray Barron’s mount by a half-length in what was the closest finish of the afternoon.

The winning owner’s son Rory, paying an initial visit to Aghabullogue where racing was first staged back in 1988, indicated that Timewaitsfornoone is likely to be kept pointing for the time being.

The Edmond Kent-trained Emerald Chieftan, who displayed promise by finishing fourth to Stay In Touch at Dromahane last May, recorded a fine front-running success in the closing Dan Donovan & Co Ltd six-year-old and upwards geldings’ maiden.

In a race that saw three fences omitted due to the low-lying sun, Emerald Chieftan (5/1 – 4/1) was challenged by runner-up Keel Over from three out. Keel Over however was beaten from before the last as the winning half-brother to Westerner Point asserted to oblige by five lengths and by doing so, the triumphant eight-year-old was providing rider Johnny Hurley with a third success of the campaign.

Four-horse handler Kent tends to Emerald Chieftan for breeders’ Richard and Anne Gallagher from Watergrasshill.

Best wishes

ROBERT Tyner wasn’t present to witness the impressive victory of his charge Bay Ambition in the five and six-year-old mares’ maiden. A very speedy recovery is extended to Tyner who is unfortunately convalescing from pelvic and rib injuries that he sustained in a fall at his Kinsale yard just before Christmas.