BARRY O’Neill enjoyed a fine afternoon at his local track getting two winners on the board, bringing his tally to 44 this season. O’Neill teamed with Colin Bowe to take opening four-year-old mares’ maiden with Cill Anna (6/4-3/1) who having led the field at a good gallop, came out on top following a thrilling battle with Who’s The Boss to win by a head.
The daughter of Imperial Monarch was sporting the colours of the Milestone Racing Partnership and is part-owned by local man John Brennan.
“They went such a gallop that Barry said he never got a breather into her, the pace just never let up. Luckily she is a smart filly and is very professional. We will head on to the sale now,” said the handler who has now saddled 27 winners this term.
DOUBLE
Oscar Academy (3/1) gained a well-deserved success in the concluding older geldings’ maiden bringing up the double for Barry O’Neill in the process.
The six-year-old was certainly not winning out of turn here, having been placed on six of his previous eight starts.
The consistent son of Oscar was in no mood to be denied on this occasion, battling on gamely in the colours of Marie Brennan to beat Orpen Wells by three lengths.
Successful handler John Paul Brennan rushed back from Lisronagh to witness the success and was on hand to say: “This lad had plenty of form, we really rate him but Barry said today is the first day we had him right in a while. We will go for a winners’ race or a bumper now.”
Ellen Doyle looks to have a very smart prospect on her hands in the form of Israel Champ (4/1-10/1) who annihilated the field when taking the four-year-old geldings’ maiden in the hands of Harley Dunne. The Baltimore Stables Syndicate-owned gelding made all the running to score by a facile 12 lengths from On The Bandwagon in the quickest time of the day.
The son a Milan is a €32,000 Derby Sale graduate and James Doyle commented afterwards: “He was very impressive there in what looked a good contest. We were confident we had a nice horse but everyone else thought the same! We got the result thankfully and we will probably go to one of the sales now.”
HAT-TRICK
Cork jockey Mikey O’Connor is enjoying a fine association with the Seamus Neville-trained Notice To Close (2/1-3/1) who brought up the hat-trick when taking the winners of two in fine style.
Successful at Knockanard and Lismore already this season, the five-year-old employed his customary front-running tactic here when setting a good gallop.
The son of Martaline showed no signs of stopping in the closing stages and recorded a 10-length success over Whatsdastory.
“I thought the better ground might catch him, but he did it well. It takes a bit of doing to win three on the bounce. It was always the intention to give him a run in the point-to-point bumper at Cork and then let him off for the year,” stated the handler of the grey who is owned by his wife Ina.
Ashleigh Murphy has her string in fine form of late and Vinnie Dev (8/1-10/1) showed a very likable attitude when getting up in the dying strides to take the five-year-old geldings’ maiden.
With the eventual runner-up Alko Rouge tiring markedly on the run to the line having raced clear of the field, the winner took full advantage under Tiernan Roche getting up in the dying strides to win by a length and a half.
Winning owner Michael Murphy was on hand to say: “He had to stay well today, he has ran a couple of big races and has been improving away. He needs a test of stamina and the leader set a good gallop.
The horses are in good form, we had a bit of sickness there in the winter, but they are back on the right road again now. He might for a winners’ race or we might go to the sales.”
James Kenny rushed back from riding duties in Lisronagh to steer Get The Appeal (2/1-6/4 favorite) to victory in the five-year-old and upwards mares’ maiden. Second on her previous start at Lingstown the daughter of Getaway made no mistake here, making much of the running in the 10-runner contest.
The Harry Farrell-owned mare readily pulled clear in the home straight to win by an easy 15 lengths with Shoot To Fame filling the runner-up berth.
“She was the only horse we had that could work with Wide Receiver. We were a bit disappointed the first day, but greenness probably just got the better off her in Lingstown coming down the hill. We will head to the sales now,” eluded winning handler Cormac Farrell.
HORSE TO FOLLOW:
ONE TRUE KING
(C. Doyle): This four-year-old son of Getaway caught the eye travelling and jumping with aplomb for much of the contest. The good-looking chesnut attempted to bridge the gap with the wide margin winner from three-out and paid the price late in the day when tiring into third. However, the debutant ran very well for a long way here and could well be one to watch in the future as he looks sure to improve.
NEWS
Injury woes
JACK Hendrick was desperately unlucky to break his collar bone in the opening four-year-old mares’ maiden before getting as far as the first obstacle!
The Wexford-native, who is based with Cormac Doyle was aboard Face Her For Home when the mare clipped heels and came down on the first bend resulting in his injury.
However, if the recovery goes to plan, Hendricks should make a return to the saddle before the season is out.
First winner for Imperial Monarch
IMPERIAL Monarch produced his first winner between-the-flags from his first crop when four-year-old Cill Anna justified favouritism to take the opening mares’ maiden.
The stallion stands for €2,500 at Coolmore’s Beeches Stud and the son of Galileo was a Group 1 winner over a mile and a half. His dam is a half-sister to top National Hunt sire Oscar.
With plenty of stock on the ground, his progeny could be worth watching in the coming months.
Huge crowd
IT was encouraging to witness a fine crowd in attendance on Sunday, on what was a dry but over cast day. Indeed the crowd was four deep around the parade ring for many of the races while the betting ring was also a hive of activity throughout the afternoon.
Hospitality tent
THE Bree hunt can be commended for the well-stocked hospitality which provided a range of both sweet and savoury fare along with hot beverages to the many volunteers, officials, hunt members, land owners and participants which make such a day possible. The touch was certainly met with appreciation by many on the day.