THERE were eight races and some 89 runners at Sunday’s Clonmult/Dungourney fixture, run under the auspices of the United Hunt, at Boulta and the meeting is one that will live long in the memory of Darragh Allen as he recorded a first career double.
The 25-year-old Araglen native opened his account aboard the Ray Beresford-owned/trained South Terrace (10/1) in the second division of the four-year-old geldings’ maiden, much to the delight of the six bookmakers present.
South Terrace was largely unfancied on account of pulling up at this same venue a fortnight earlier in the race won by Sir Gerhard. The winning son of Mahler, also a close relation to former Galway Plate winner Stroll Home, overcame a serious blunder at the fifth of the 14 fences by making progress off the pace from four out.
He then forged to the front with three obstacles remaining, readily powering clear in the closing stages to beat Champagne Wilde by five lengths, with these two the only finishers. Two-horse handler Beresford reported: “I bought him at the August Sale last year and he has always been doing everything easily at home. The plan is he will now be sold.”
Allen completed his brace, bringing his seasonal tally to five in the process, by landing the five-year-old geldings’ maiden aboard Brandy Harbour (6/1). The John Neilan-trained Brandy Harbour, runner-up to Upton Road on his return to action here at Boulta two weeks earlier, moved to the head of affairs from three out and the Co Galway raider held on grimly as the line approached to deny the staying-on Mahler Allstar by a neck. The pair returned four lengths clear of the third-placed One More Life. Brandy Harbour is owned and bred by London-based Galwegian Michael Ward. The son of Schiaparelli will be retained by connections as he’s now set to embark on a track career.
THE Tim Townend-trained/bred Wouldubewell impressed by making a stylish return to action under Eoin O’Brien in the five-year-old and upwards mares’ maiden.
Wouldubewell (7/2), runner-up on the final of her three starts last term at Dromahane in April, made progress from off the pace to challenge at the second last and, still travelling well to the final fence, she went on to beat Sovereign Gold by a comfortable three lengths, carrying the colours of Townend’s daughter Caroline.
With the elder Townend absent at Cork, his youngest daughter Jodie expressed the hope that she may now get the opportunity to ride Wouldubewell in a mares’ bumper.
Aloneamongmillions (11/10) repeated his success at this same venue two weeks earlier by recording a facile front-running success under Derek O’Connor in the winner-of-two contest. The sweet-jumping gelding, representing B L Swagger’s owner Tessa Foreman, effortlessly asserted from the final fence to see off Colonel Bob by six lengths.
Aloneamongmillions has now won all three starts to date and Sam Curling’s six-year-old will attempt to retain his unbeaten record in a winner-of-three at Kilfeacle next month.
The Michelle Duggan-trained Fresh Appeal (5/1), owned and bred by Sean Leahy, who originally hails from Conna, stepped up from her recent sixth-placed debut effort at Dromahane by winning the first division of the four-year-old mares’ maiden.
This was an incident-packed contest as newcomer Kilbree Warrior was still bowling along merrily in the lead when capsizing two out, and Not A Loss was then leading when falling at the final fence.
Fresh Appeal took advantage to beat Humble Glory by a widening two lengths with her ears pricked under Cal Shine and the eye-filling bay, a sister to five track winners, was set to be offered at Friday’s Tattersalls Ireland sale after racing at Cheltenham.
MICK Goff’s newcomer Clondaw Secret (3/1) came from off the pace under a confident Shane Fitzgerald to collect the first division of the four-year-old geldings’ maiden. Champagne Gold and Minella Escape were engaged in a duel from five out and it was the former who led away from the third last.
Clondaw Secret, the own-brother to Clondaw Court, a former four-time track winner for Willie Mullins who was rated 142 over hurdles, made ground up to get the better of Champagne Gold from the last and won by two lengths in the colours of Goff’s wife, Catriona. Clondaw Secret was bought for €28,000 at the 2018 Goffs Land Rover Sale.
There was a dead-heat in the second division of this same contest as owner-trainer John Halley’s Found On (3/1) stayed on stoutly for David Kiely to join issue with Robin Des Smoke (2/1), the mount of handler Benny Walsh, as the line approached with the judge unable to separate the pair.
Found On, purchased by Halley as a foal, will now be prepared for a tilt at a bumper if remaining with the Tramore-born vet. Robin Des Smoke, owned by Walsh’s wife Jenny, provided ample indication of ability last season as she was still lying fourth when falling two out in a maiden against the geldings at Tralee.
Midleton-based handler Johnny Hurley was on the mark as his seasonal debutant Morningside (2/1) easily captured the five-year-old and upwards adjacent hunts maiden.
A runner-up at Boulta last December, Morningside led from halfway to account for Dower Caves by five lengths under Chris O’Donovan. Owner/trainer Hurley indicated that Morningside may now be aimed at a hunters chase.
Horse to follow
Champagne Gold (Roisin Hickey): This embryonic chaser by Presenting was having a third career outing when chasing home Clondaw Secret. He should easily atone and is also taken to develop into a track winner next winter.