BARRY O’Neill added to his chapter of point-to-point history when following in the footsteps of Derek O’Connor, Jamie Codd and the late John Thomas McNamara, by riding his 500th winner between the flags, aboard Johnny Kinsella’s Definite Warrior (3/1 favourite) in the John Joseph Hanlon five-year-old geldings’ maiden.
Eleven years after his first success at Horse & Jockey, the reigning champion had to be at his best aboard the Lisronagh fourth, who defeated Victory Echo by 12 lengths.
Former point-to-point rider Kinsella was not present to witness the success as he had travelled to Ascot, where he sold his Loughrea runner-up Niamh’s Oscar for £6,000.
His mother Majella reported that the success had coincided with a welcome change of fortunes for the Rathdrum handler, as just days earlier, his first son Harry, whom he had welcomed with his partner Niamh Leonard six weeks earlier, had improved sufficiently to move out of ICU at Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital in Crumlin.
TRYING
O’Neill had suffered a trying start to the day, with both of his mounts in either divisions of the Tattersalls Ireland four-year-old geldings’ maiden coming down inside the final half mile.
Rewritetherules in particular, held the advantage in division two when coming to grief at the second last, in what set in motion a very dramatic conclusion. The challenging Woodbrook Boy was hampered by the fall and unshipped Tom Hamilton, leaving newcomer Florrie Webb with a clear advantage.
However, with victory seemingly his for the taking, he suffered his own misfortune when coming down at the last, paving the way for Vinnie’s Getaway (5/2 - 3/1) to record what had seemed a very unlikely success in the colours of Alan Harte. The €60,000 Derby sale graduate, a half-brother to Grade 1 winner Cousin Vinny, is now likely to be sold according to his handler Denis Murphy.
That success had completed a double on the day for Luke Murphy. The Wexford rider had earlier been seen to good effect aboard the Baltimore Stables Syndicate-owned Lucky Flight (6/4 - 5/2) to claim division one of that Tattersalls Ireland four-year-old geldings’ maiden.
The Wexford native had sent the French-bred on in a decisive move heading into the back straight, and the pair ultimately returned home a distance clear of Dubai Key to continue the excellent form for the Ellen Doyle team.
The Enniscorthy handler, whose horses are currently running to a 33% strike rate, was understandably thrilled by the victory. He said: “I am delighted with that. We were quite hopeful coming here. We thought he was looking good and we had a bit of a fancy for him. Hopefully he will go to the sales now.”
CLEAN SWEEP
Fresh from saddling Crosshue Boy to run in the Becher Chase at Aintree 24 hours earlier, Sean Doyle ensured there was a clean sweep of four-year-old maidens for Wexford handlers, when his Outonpatrol (6 - 3/1 co-favourite) claimed the Burgage Stud four-year-old mares’ maiden.
Third on debut at Dromahane four weeks earlier, the daughter of Stowaway quickened clear in good style to defeat Mrs Davies by six lengths under Jamie Scallan.
The successful Monbeg Partnership-owned grey was likely to be sold, with Doyle lavishing particular praise on his winning rider: “I’m delighted for Jamie (Scallan), he is working with me a year now and is a brilliant lad to work. It is just great that he got the winner.”
The John Duggan-owned and bred Longhouse Music (3/1 joint-favourite) became the first horse of the season to move onto the four-winner mark as she produced arguably her best performance to date to claim the Goffs Property open lightweight under Eoin Mahon.
The Sam Curling-handled daughter of Gamut made her move rounding the home bend before going on to beat Samanntom by five lengths in a race packed full of depth, featuring no fewer than two former champion point horses.
“That was lovely, she did it very well,” reported Curling. “She is improving the whole time and loving it. Once she stays in one piece, we will keep her going at that.”
THRILLING
One-horse handler Robert McCabe sent out his own Proper Ticket (4 - 5/1) to prevail in what was a thrilling conclusion to the Midland Veterinary Tullamore five-year-old mares’ maiden. The game daughter of Gold Well just held off the challenge of the track-placed Be My Dream by a short-head to provide Aaron Sinnott with his first success of the season. “She ran well the last day and I thought this track might suit her so I waited for it,” remarked the Enniscorthy handler.
“Aaron (Sinnott) would come down and school her, so it is all down to the help of Aaron that she won this.”
Wexford rider Kevin Corrigan, who was awarded his first winner following a subsequent disqualification at Killeagh in January, passed the post in front for the first time aboard the Philip Rothwell-trained Ask Harry (5/2 - 6/4 favourite) in the Walsh’s Homevalue older maiden.
The colours of Tom Power and Annette Lawlor were carried to success for the second time this season when the six-year-old Helissio gelding, who had caught the eye when placing on his opening two starts of the season, got the better of Ted by two and a-half lengths.
Two riders hospitalised
THE fences proved to be a stiff challenge for the 69 runners on the card, as the 29% faller rate was higher than at any fixture last season, with two riders being transferred to St. Luke’s General Hospital. Pearse Rogan suffered a broken collarbone in a first fence fall aboard River’s End in the five-year-old geldings’ maiden.
The Wexford native expects to be on the side-lines for six weeks. Cal Shine broke his jaw in two places when Banna Strand fell at the sixth-last in the opening four-year-old mares’ maiden. The 19-year-old Banteer-based rider was transferred to Cork University Hospital on Monday in order to have his injury operated on.
Christmas spirit
THE Carlow Farmers hunt fully embraced the Christmas spirit, with plenty of tinsel and decorations added to the weigh-tent, while a Christmas market, featuring locally produced arts and crafts, took place in a nearby tent.
Santa Claus was the guest of honour on the day, as he arrived in his sleigh to the chorus of Jingle Bells over the PA and paraded down the main straight before greeting younger racegoers.
There was even the opportunity for racegoers to purchase their Christmas tree when leaving through the main gate.
The off-track action did not stop there, with the hunt also adding a Most Appropriately Dressed competition which was judged by blogger Chris Kavanagh and Miss Carlow 2018 Rachel Kelly.
Martina Cody from Ballymurphy won a €100 voucher for the Red Mills store, while Ivan Moran from Ballindaggan collected a €100 voucher for Detail Menswear.
Horse to follow
FINISK RIVER (P.J. Crowley): The grey son of Red Rocks travelled with notable ease throughout, and he had seemed set to throw down a strong challenge when coming down in the home straight on his debut.