Sarah Ann Madden

THE Westmeath Foxhounds held the first point-to-point of the autumn campaign in Castletown-Geoghegan, Co. Westmeath last Sunday and it proved to be a day to remember for three young riders who all registered their first successes between the flags.

First off the mark was 18-year-old Adam Feeney who landed the five and six-year-old mares’ maiden aboard the Garrett Ahern-trained Sweet Destination (10/1-14/1).

Feeney is a son of point-to-point rider Tom and is now based with Garrett Ahern in Cork. The daughter of Dubai Destination carried the colours of the Unbelievables Syndicates, which consists of a few familiar faces from the Cork GAA scene, including Mick Malone who won two All-Stars for Cork in hurling and Teddy McCarthy who has a unique achievement in winning All-Ireland medals in both football and hurling in the one season for Cork, both of which were there to lead in their winner.

Tomas Mulcahy, another All-Star winner and Brian Lynch, who complete the winning syndicate, were both absent on the day.

A delighted Ahern remarked afterwards: “The experience this mare gained on the track has really stood to her here. I am delighted that Adam got to ride her as he knows her well and he gave her a great ride. I am not sure where we will go next, I will have to discuss plans with her owners.”

A former track performer, A Decent Excuse (20/1), provided 17-year-old Michael O’Sullivan with his first winner when coming home in front in the open lightweight. O’Sullivan, a nephew of winning handler Eugene and a son of William, who won the Foxhunters Chase at Cheltenham in 1991 aboard Lovely Citizen.

The 10-year-old son of Fruits Of Love had to work hard in the closing stages to get up to deny long-time leader Samanntom by three lengths.

A delighted O’Sullivan remarked afterwards: “I am delighted to give Michael his first winner. He had a good few rides last season and he did well today. It was also nice to see the horse get his head in front.

“He really enjoyed the underfoot conditions and will probably head back to the track when he gets his ground. Maxine, my daughter, will be a little disappointed that she missed today as she would have probably ridden him but she is away in Newmarket at the sales.”

The concluding race, the six-year-old and upwards maiden for novice riders, saw another first winner on the card, this time for Dunshaughlin native Ben Love, when Cee Jay McBride (5/1-6/1) cruised to victory in the colours of the Danestown Racing Partnership. Love positioned his mount prominently for most of the journey and sent her for home after the third-last fence.

The pair kept on strongly to record a 12-length victory over this consistent Mabeywhoknowsmabey. The winning rider remarked afterwards: “I had three rides last season and this my fourth. I am delighted to win aboard this mare and she will probably go for a winners’ race next. I am still in school so I ride out for Gavin (Cromwell, winning handler) at the weekends.”

The most popular winner of day proved to be the Heather Kiernan-trained Presentingprincess (5/2) who landed the winners of two contest in impression fashion.

The six-year-old daughter of Presenting made all of the running in the hands of Aaron Murphy, with the pair setting a ferocious pace which none of her rivals could sustain.

Owned by local man Declan Scally and trained by the hunt secretary Heather Kiernan, she returned a very comfortable 10-length winner over Senators Glory.

An elated Kiernan stated afterwards: “We actually broke her as a three-year-old and then let her off. We then brought her back in last year but she hasn’t been the most straightforward.

“She won her maiden at The Pigeons last season but the ground wasn’t right for her on her when she ran at Athlacca. She is an exciting type to have and will remain point-to-pointing for the time being.”

It was back to business as usual for reigning champion rider Barry O’Neill who completed a double on the opening day of the season.

O’Neill was first off the mark in the opening Tattersalls Ireland four-year-old maiden when recording success aboard Napoleon Blue (2/1-3/1). The pair came out on top of a thrilling finish when just defeating Cork raider Hitdroadjack by a head.

The son of Beat Hollow had previously caught the eye when finishing second to Don Des Fosses at Dawstown last season and appears to have a promising future ahead of him.

Owned by Michael Cave, who also owned subsequent Cheltenham Festival winner Ballyalton, the chesnut gelding is now sales bound with winning owner stating: “Myself and Colin (Bowe) purchased this fellow at the Goffs Land Rover Sale for €18,000, so I suppose with this fellow winning too we may invest again!”

The winning handler added: “He had a lovely first run last season but was a little under the weather on his next outing at Inchydoney. He is a real genuine type and I was very impressed with his turn of foot there today.”

O’Neill completed his personal double courtesy of Flash The Steel (6/1) who took the five and six-year-old geldings’ maiden for Wexford handler Jonathan Fogarty.

The five-year-old daughter of Craigsteel wasn’t winning out of turn having finished fourth on her debut at The Pigeons last season. Fogarty, a brother of National Hunt jockey Mikey, reported afterwards: “It was lovely to see my mother Mary’s colours carried to victory. He was a fresh horse today and did it well. We have always though a lot of him and it was great to see him winning today.”

Celebratory mood

MANY handlers were full of praise for the organising hunt committee, who ensured that there was a more than adequate supply of water in the lorry park to wash down their horses after racing.

The hunt were well rewarded for their efforts, with plenty of runners attracting a good crowd who were still in celebratory mood, having watched the local Castletown-Geoghegan hurling team claim the Westmeath County Championship with a two-point victory over Raharney at Cusack Park a week earlier.