SAM Curling is experiencing an outstanding season and dominated Sunday’s Pigeon Hill & Carrigtwohill meeting at Ballyvodock by sending out two winners with another (Aloneamongmillions) at Bellharbour.

Both of Curling’s winners at the Co Cork venue were partnered by Pa King, the pair signing off with Templebredin (7/4) in the winners of two. Templebredin brought the best recent form to the table as he landed an Aghabullogue winners contest last month and the victorious six-year-old was mostly positioned in second spot behind Top Question.

The eventual winner had to be asked to close on Top Question after the third last of the 13 obstacles. To his credit, Templebredin soon made his way to the head of affairs but a potent threat materialised in Desertmore Glen on the outer before two out.

The latter couldn’t raise his effort on the run to the last and it was then Entre Deux that came through for the runner-up spot, some three-and-a-half lengths adrift of the market-leader. With Curling absent at Belharbour, King remarked of Templebredin, owned by Jeremiah O’Brien: “He’s a tough horse that should make into a lovely staying chaser.”

The Co Tipperary duo initiated their brace courtesy of Western Fiona (5/2) in the five-year-old and upwards mares’ maiden, much to the dismay of the 12 bookmakers present. Western Fiona, having shaped well by finishing fourth on her career debut at Ballindenisk last month, benefited from front-running tactics. She did however give her supporters cause for concern as she was badly impeded by a loose horse on the run to four-out.

Although overtaken, Western Fiona made her way back to the front after three-out and one sensed that she was always travelling marginally better than runner-up Aizy Does It from the second-last, with one and three-quarter lengths separating the pair at the line.

Stellar visit for British owners

JONATHAN Fogarty’s decision to bypass the Knockmullen House fixture outside New Ross was rewarded as he saddled an initial winner for visiting British owner Allan Stennett when Stellar Magic (5/1 – 4/1) recorded a debut success in the five-year-old geldings’ maiden. Stellar Magic, one of nine runners in the line-up, always occupied a prominent position and the 2018 Derby Sale graduate moved through to challenge Pay The Piper approaching the second-last. There was then little to separate the pair until the winning son of Arctic Cosmos mastered Colin Bowe’s charge from the final fence to oblige by a half-length under 20-year-old Barry Stone in what was the closest finish of the afternoon.

Coolambe provided ample indication of ability by securing the minor honours, a further six lengths adrift, in a race that saw newcomers occupy the first three places. It’s possible that Stellar Magic, a close relation to former Cheltenham Gold Cup runner-up Take The Stand, may now contest a maiden hurdle.

A weekend to remember for the Townend family

HANDLER/breeder Tim Townend, whose son Paul partnered Faugheen to a memorable success at Leopardstown on Sunday, was on the mark with Wouldubewell (5/4) in the mares’ winners-of-two.

Wouldubewell opened her account at Boulta almost two months earlier and arrived from off the pace under a confident Eoin O’Brien to assume command two-out. The six-year-old then forged clear to dismiss the only other finisher Sofias Castle by 20 lengths in the colours of Townend’s daughter, Caroline.

It’s probable that Wouldubewell will now be aimed at the Gain Mares’ Final, and Townend’s youngest daughter Jodie will be buoyed to hear that the mares’ pointers bumper at Cork over Easter is also under consideration.

Brian Dunleavy, a 17-year-old from Dungourney, experienced a never-to-be-forgotten afternoon as he partnered an initial career winner aboard Alan Ahern’s Here Comes Johny (7/2 – 4/6) in the five-year-old and upwards confined hunt maiden for novice riders. Here Comes Johny was dropping in class considering that he finished a respectable seventh behind Only The Bold in a vintage Tyrella five-year-old maiden the previous weekend and the Clondun Partnership-owned son of Yeats took the eye in mid-division. He stylishly made his way through to lead two-out and he was always possessing too many aces for Rwegoinhigh thereafter, the winning margin being two-and-a-half lengths. Ahern, who started off Olly Murphy’s 140-rated hurdler Notre Pari in points last season, is now likely to sell the gelding.

David Murphy will likewise treasure fond memories of the meeting as the 24-year-old Fermoy native was credited with an initial training success courtesy of his father Jeff’s seasonal debutant Etoile Du Matin (2/1) in the six-year-old and upwards geldings’ maiden.

Etoile Du Matin, who shaped with promise by finishing fourth on his two starts last term, was having a first start for the Murphy’s and made his way to the front with Ray Barron after the third-last. The newcomer Won’t Talk held every chance in second spot when falling at the last and the triumphant son of Millenary was then left clear to beat Presenting Point by 20 lengths.

Horse to follow

Coolamber (James Daniel Dullea): This newcomer picked up the running after the third-last in the five-year-old geldings’ maiden. He was headed before two out and blundered, ultimately finishing third. He ran better than the winning distance indicate and he should easily sample track success.

Maiden victory

IT was appropriate that the biggest cheer of the afternoon was reserved for Brian Dunleavy as the teenager returned to the winners’ enclosure for the first time following his victory aboard Alan Ahern’s Here Comes Johny in the five-year-old and upwards confined hunt maiden. Dunleavy, whose parents Liam and Tina and brother DJ were in attendance, rides out regularly for handler Ahern and Jimmy Mangan.