THE Gain Mares’ Final took centre stage once again at Ballynoe on a brilliant day of entertainment last Sunday.

This year’s renewal, which featured a generous €3,000 bonus to the winner, attracted eight runners with ‘Shark’ Hanlon and 23-year-old rider Tom Hamilton combining to record their first success in this prestigious contest courtesy of all-the-way winner Dime A Dozen (5/1).

Successful on her previous start at Tinahely in mid-January, Dime A Dozen was bounced out in front and had Kalli’s Quest and Kilbree Shadow as her closest pursuers until the patiently-ridden favourite Fort Worth Texas moved second on the approach to the third last. The eventual winner however wasn’t for passing and although coming under pressure on the run to the penultimate fence, she bravely maintained the tempo to dispose of fellow five-year-old Fort Worth Texas by three lengths, winning in the colours of her handler’s partner Rachel O’Neill.

Hanlon, who recently sold Dime A Dozen to a six-strong syndicate headed by Sean O’Hehir, said: “Full marks to Tom [Hamilton] as he was very good on her. This was Tom’s first time riding Dime A Dozen, but he went through all of her races last night when he was coming back in the lorry from the Portrush point-to-point.

“Her form was very good coming here and she will now go for the mares’ point-to-point bumper at Cork over Easter.”

FIRST MOUNT

Michael O’Sullivan made his first mount for Colin Bowe a winning one aboard newcomer It Sure Is (7/1) in the four-year-old maiden. It Sure Is, a son of Shirocco, was another to benefit from front-running tactics. The four-year-old took his eight rivals along at a decent pace with the Knockanard runner-up Bloodstone moving second after the third last. The pair soon moved clear and It Sure Is got on top from the final fence to eclipse Pat Doyle’s charge by a half-length. The duo returned with 15 lengths to spare over the third-placed Dreal Deal.

The Milestone Racing Partnership-owned It Sure Is was quickly added to this week’s Goffs UK Sale after racing at Aintree on Thursday evening, and realised £150,000 when knocked down to Highflyer Bloodstock.

O’Sullivan, who was in action at the Portrush fixture the previous afternoon, doubled up by recording his 14th success of the campaign aboard the Gerry Kelleher-trained Macs Legend (4/5 - 4/7 favourite) in the open. Macs Legend, who was posting a fourth points success to add to his two hunter chase victories, seemed a most unlikely winner after four out as he had to be rousted along in fifth spot. The 11-year-old is nothing but tough and he made progress to challenge All Hell Let Loose from two out. There was then very little to separate the pair until Macs Legend asserted as the line approached to oblige by a head in what was the closest finish of the afternoon.

Kelleher indicated that the Shane Prenderville-owned Macs Legend will have a choice of engagements over Easter as connections can choose between the Jack Tyner Memorial Hunter Chase at Cork and the Joseph O’Reilly Memorial Hunter Chase at Fairyhouse.

GRIPPING FINISH

Racegoers were treated to yet another gripping finish in the five-year-old geldings’ maiden with Ask A Honey Bee (4/1) putting his previous experience to good use to open his account with Declan Queally. Trained by Roger McGrath, Ask A Honey Bee, who finished third on his first two starts this year at Dungarvan and Knockanard, moved through to dispute the running from halfway. The son of Ask gave chase to newcomer Ask D’Man from before two out and took the measure of Shane Baragry’s mount inside the final 50 yards to score by one and a half lengths in the silks of retired dairy farmer John P Kiely from Dungarvan.

Dungarvan form also came to the fore in the five-year-old and upwards mares’ maiden which this year came complete with a €1,000 bonus to the winner sponsored by the O’Keeffe family from Ballynoe. Darrens Hope (4/1 - 3/1) stepped up from her fourth-placed seasonal debut effort at the Kilossera venue in January by returning to the number one slot under Darragh Allen. Darrens Hope was always well positioned and the physically-imposing daughter of Oscar went to the head of affairs before the third last to beat the previous Sunday’s Liscarroll fourth Somethinboutangela by three lengths.

Owner, trainer and breeder Bob Murphy from Affane indicated that Darrens Hope, whom he sold at one stage to John Leahy only to later buy her back, will now be prepared for a bumper.

Witness Protection (5/4 favourite) made amends for pulling up because of a broken rein before the final fence at Liscarroll the previous Sunday by easily justifying favouritism in the closing six-year-old and upwards geldings’ maiden, much to the chagrin of the 14 bookmakers present.

The patiently-ridden Witness Protection, one of just a handful of horses under the care of owner/trainer Martin Cullinane at his Athenry base, overcame a third-last fence blunder by powering through to assume command with Derek O’Connor on the outer before two out. There was only going to be one outcome thereafter with the triumphant son of Witness Box ultimately dispensing with long-time leader Rwegoinhigh by one and a half lengths. It’s probable that Witness Protection will now run in a bumper, provided that he’s not sold in the interim.

HORSES TO FOLLOW

ASK D’MAN (P. O’Connell): This newcomer by Ask was sent through to challenge for the lead after the fourth last in the five-year-old geldings’ maiden and he only gave way inside the final 50 yards to be beaten by one and a half lengths into second spot by the battle-hardened Ask A Honey Bee. Compensation should be effortlessly attained in a maiden point, while success on the track should also come next season.

Shark praises ground condition

DIME A Dozen’s handler ‘Shark’ Hanlon was among those to pay tribute to the Ballynoe committee for their excellent watering efforts. The sting was gone out of the ground and it also helped that there was terrific grass cover on the track. A big well done to all concerned!

Better news for Rob James

WHILE Rob James’ Cheltenham Festival suspension ruled him out of Sunday’s action, the Kiltealy native was delighted following the success of the Colin Bowe-trained It Sure Is with Michael O’Sullivan in the four-year-old geldings’ maiden. James purchased It Sure Is with Virginia Considine for €48,000 at last year’s Derby Sale. James will also miss today’s Moira meeting, he will be free to ride tomorrow as his suspension only covers days that there are races for amateur riders in Britain.

Waggiest tail

A SPECIAL area below the parade ring hosted a dog show resulting in a hive of activity and entertainment. The committee organised the dog show with Gain sponsoring some of the prizes. Some of the classes included best junior handler and the dog with the waggiest tail.