THE Chris Jones-owned Sidetracked (3-7/1) has the Bishopscourt Cup at the Punchestown Festival amongst his longterm options following his success in the open lightweight at Bellharbour last Sunday.
After a triumph in a Clonmel maiden hunter chase at the turn of the year, the six-year-old made his initial outing a victorious one when forming part of a notable one-two for Clare native Gearóid O’Loughlin.
Vying for the lead under James Hannon from early on the final circuit, the son of Beneficial kept on strongly in the home straight to account for the long absent Home Farm by a length with short-priced favourite Burning Ambition only third.
Dunshaughlin, Co Meath-located O’Loughlin stated of his half-brother to Cue Card: “This is an improving horse. I felt today was a nice race for him as he only had four runs over fences before today and needs experience. We’ll probably have a look at the good hunter chase in Navan but he could be one for the Bishopscourt Cup later in the year.”
James Hannon added to his victory in the day’s feature by claiming the concluding six-year-old geldings’ maiden aboard the Norman Lee-handled Serious Mood (4-6/1). Owned by Lee’s long-standing patron Michael Hogan, the Scorpion-gelding produced a battling display on his fifth career start.
Racing in the front rank throughout, last month’s Templenacarriga sixth found plenty for pressure from the penultimate fence to outpoint Generator City by a head. Lee, who has care of his charge at his Kilmacduagh base outside Gort, Co Galway remarked: “This is a lovely horse at 17.2hh. He’s an honest galloping type that will win plenty of races. He’s been unlucky up to now but James gave him a super ride today. He’ll go to one of the sales now.”
GRADUATE
Conna amateur Johnny Barry also recorded a brace having begun his afternoon brightly courtesy of the facile success of Fado Des Brosses (5/4-5/2) in the opening four-year-old maiden. A €45,000 graduate of the 2018 Goffs Land Rover Sale, showing a nice turn of foot, the Pat Doyle-trained gelding moved through to challenge the leading Goaheadwiththeplan on the run to the final fence.
The son of Balko appeared to have the measure of Colin Bowe’s inmate who came to grief here, leaving the Mary Doyle-owned bay to dispose of odds-on market leader Minella Lightning by 15 lengths.
“This is a very nice horse. They went a good gallop there and there were no hiding places. He’ll go to one of the sales now,” revealed Holycross, Co Tipperary handler Doyle.
Doyle’s near neighbour Eddie Power had a day to savour at the Burrenside-venue as Perpignan (4/5-5/4 favourite) provided him with his initial victory as a handler in the winners of one. Completing Johnny Barry’s two-timer, the Robin Des Champs-gelding, making his debut in winners’ company, was always travelling with a fair degree of ease facing the final two obstacles and from this juncture he was never unduly troubled to prevail from Alkaa Lion by two and a half lengths.
“He’s a nice sort that I bought from my good friend Paddy Twomey when I decided I was going to take out a handlers’ licence. We’ll take things gradually with him and he’ll go for a winners of two now,” outlined Power.
Earlier, Cormac Doyle introduced a promising type in In Too Deep (4-5/2) who created a most favourable impression in the five-year-old geldings’ maiden. The Monbeg Farm Racing Partnership-owned son of Malinas moved to the front under Rob James after jumping the second last and was always in control thereafter to dispose of fellow newcomer When You’re Ready by a cosy five lengths.
“This is a smashing horse with a lovely pedigree. Rob rode him in a bit of work the other day and felt we could go anywhere we liked with him. He’ll be sold now,” disclosed Doyle of his inmate who hails from the family of blacktype performers Stewarts House and Lyreen Wonder.
NOVICE CHAMPION
Out of luck aboard When You’re Ready, former novice champion rider Chris O’Donovan enjoyed better fortune in the following mares’ maiden as the Mick Winters-handled Osca Loca (5/4-6/4 favourite) registered a poignant victory. Carrying the silks of her late breeder/owner Carl Beame, who passed away in late August, the daughter of Oscar travelled ominously well throughout and was always containing the staying on False Getaway in the home straight to oblige by four and a half lengths.
“It’s great that Carl’s wife Caitríona was here today to see her win. She has a few more from this mare’s family at home too so I’ll speak to her about what we’ll do now. Chris gave her a great ride to be fair and is riding well,” commented Winters of his five-year-old who had shown promise in a couple of track efforts last year.
HORSE TO FOLLOW
LOUGHRASK BREEZE(B.M. McMahon): This daughter of Papal Bull was noted making strong late headway in the mares’ maiden won by Osca Loca. A similar event should be well within her reach.
First win for Power
HANDLER Eddie Power’s first day with a licence could scarcely have gone much better as his Perpignan claimed victory in the winners of one.
The former jockey explained: “My first runner finished second in the four-year-old maiden in Ballinaboola earlier today so for this horse to win is super! I retired from race-riding in 2013 due to injury and then spent time as assistant trainer to Tom Hogan.
“I’ve been working for Pat Doyle in the mornings for the last three seasons now and he along with Paddy Twomey have given me invaluable advice which has helped me to get to this point,” outlined Power. “Along with today’s two runners, I’ve another one to run later in the year. I’m looking forward to the rest of the season now and have plenty of space for more if needed.”
Funds raised in ladies race
AN action-packed afternoon at the picturesque north-Clare track concluded with a ladies hunt members’ race, in aid of Breast Cancer Ireland, run for the prestigious Brady Browne Cup. A field of 14 horses went to post with victory ultimately going the way of 20-year-old Aisling Wixted from Sixmilebridge aboard her horse Bubbles.
Immense credit is due to all concerned who raised in excess of €8,000 for the charity.
Surgery for Barron
JOCKEY Ray Barron is set for a spell on the sidelines following a fall from Captain Cruiser in the closing older maiden. The Co Limerick-amateur was due to undergo surgery on his jaw on Tuesday and is expected to be out of action for about six weeks.