Sarah Ann Madden

THE good weather attracted a large crowd to the Westmeath’s point-to-point fixture at Castletown-Geoghegan.

The Shark Hanlon-trained Ballyvic Boru (7/1) took the opening Tattersalls Ireland Cheltenham and Ascot Sales four-year-old maiden in good style when registering an eight-length victory for owners David Moran and Rachel O’Neill. The son of Brian Boru showed a nice turn of foot when quickening clear of his rivals in the straight with Richie Harding on board.

A delighted Hanlon remarked: “We think a lot of this horse, he has really sharpened up this season. He jumps really well and will have little difficulty winning a bumper.’’

The winning handler also remarked: ‘I have 30 three-year-olds at home which I hope to run in the spring and they are all for sale! Richie will hopefully ride all of them for me this season.’

Colin Bowe and Barry O’Neill were on the scoresheet when De Dollar Man (4/1) landed the five and six-year-old geldings’ maiden. O’Neill sent his mount to the front after the second last and kept on well to see off the challenge of the favourite Swift Crusador (5/4 favourite).

The gelding is part-owned by Tom Keating and Colin Bowe.

Wexford handler Colin Bowe reported afterwards: “Tom bought him at the Tattersalls August National Hunt Sale last year and he went wrong on us. He is only back in a couple of weeks and there is plenty of improvement to come from him. He will probably go to the sales next. We should have 55 horses for the spring season.’’

Another Wexford handler to reach the winner’s enclosure was Kieran Roche who saddled The Kings Baby (5/1) to win the five and six-year-old mares’ maiden with J.J. Walsh on board. The daughter of King’s Theatre was only having her second run to date and showed plenty of improvement from her run at Liscarroll in March.

“She is a solid mare, she was very weak and backward last season and raced on horrible ground. We just about got away with it today as she is more effective on good ground. I am delighted for the owner Michael Kenny, who is from Carnew,’’ stated the winning handler.

CORK JOURNEY

Michael Barry made the journey from Cork worthwhile when Sweet As A Nut (2/1) took the winners of two contest in impressive fashion. The six-year-old, who was making his first appearance in winners’ company, kept on strongly in the straight to register a 15-length victory over more experienced individuals.

Winning handler Barry reported afterwards: ‘He is a lovely horse and Ciaran Fennessy (rider) has always been mad about him. He is a terrific jumper and we will probably go for another winners’ race and we will maybe go down the hunter chase route now. He is owned by my wife Mary.’’

There was a very popular winner in the open lightweight with the Peter Flood-trained Ourmanmassini (3/1) winning in the hands of Anthony Fox. Flood previously had the winner as a four-year-old and bought the eight-year-old back this summer for £3,200 from Suzy Smith at the Tattersalls Ascot Sales.

The son of Dr Massini put in an exhibition of jumping and travelled well throughout and appeared to win with plenty in hand. An elated Flood reported afterwards: “He jumped savage out there today, we didn’t think he would win as well. We bought him back this summer and hope to have a bit of fun with him. He is owned by my mother Teresa.’’

There was somewhat of a shock result to the concluding race of the card, the six-year-old and upwards maiden for novice riders when the outsider of the field Rock Solid (8/1) came home in front in the hands of Neil Gault. The seven-year-old mare, who made most of the running, relished the underfoot conditions and kept on gamely to register a 12-length victory over Classic Hit.

Alison Murphy, the winning handler, reported afterwards: “We bought her out of Colin Bowe’s two months ago. We actually didn’t think she would be fit enough today and might have needed the run. I am delighted to give Neil a winner as he looks after the horses as if they were his own. We will probably go for a winners’ race next.’’

Kiernan missed

DAMIEN Skehan suffered a suspected broken ankle from Petite Royale in the five and six-year-old maiden race at Castletown Geoghegan.

Best wishes to Frank Kiernan who recently suffered a stroke. Frank was very much missed on Sunday in his usual role as clerk of the course.