IT was a day to remember for Tiernan Power Roche, as the 21-year-old registered his first career double, courtesy of two winners that were supplied by his principal supporter Michael Murphy, including the evergreen veteran Better B Quick (3-5/2).

The 13-year-old had lowered the colours of Vyta Du Roc at Tinahely seven days earlier, and there were no ill effects evident on his quick return to action in the open, as he carried the Redbridge Stables colours to a five-length defeat of last season’s seven-time winner Some Are Lucky.

“We had our slight worries with the ground here, but it was fantastic, he is just in great form. He came out of last week really well so we decided to take our chance and he will keep pointing this season,” reported Murphy, who was presented with a bottle of Slane Whiskey, as was the case with each of the day’s six winners.

Advantage

The red and white Redbridge Stables colours returned to the winner’s enclosure in the following mares’ maiden, when Dream De Dream (3-7/2) took full advantage of the final fence departure of her chief danger Not May.

Building upon the signs of improvement that she had shown at Toomebridge on her seasonal re-appearance, the seven-year-old made all to defeat the stable debutant Kalamansi Cooler by 20 lengths.

“We were expecting her to run well, as she ran a big race in Toomebridge, but she would probably prefer nicer ground to that to help her get home. We’ve had her a while, but she has shown us bits along the way, and we persisted with her,” said the Duncormick-based handler following his second visit of the afternoon to the winner’s enclosure, adding that the Flemensfirth mare would now step up to winner’s company.

Cheers for Doyle at start of campaign

ELLEN Doyle sent out no fewer than four four-year-old winners last autumn, and she enjoyed her first success of the new campaign when Fuego De L’Abbaye (4/1) made almost all of the running to defeat All The Fame. A £22,000 purchase from the Doncaster Spring Sale, the Baltimore Stables-owned gelding became the first son of Kap Rock, a rare National Hunt stallion to have himself won over jumps, to win a point-to-point here following this two-length success for Luke Murphy.

“We liked him last year to be fair, he is a lovely horse. We went to Bartlemy thinking we had a nice horse and it was getting late in the year, so we put him out to grass after it. We brought him back and he has matured into a nicer horse again and so we are very happy with him. He is for sale now,” said Oultart-based James Doyle on behalf of his sister.

Close finish

Three of the four horses that set off in the five-year-old geldings’ maiden jumped the penultimate fence almost in line, treating the crowd to the closest finish of the afternoon, with the superior speed of Kilgorey (4/1) proving decisive on the run for the line.

A late casualty at Inchydoney on his debut, the chesnut son of Shantou was partnered to his one-length victory over the favourite Beatthebullet by Pa King.

“I was hoping he would get there. He was unlucky not to win in Inchydoney, he was coming to win his race there. He would want nicer ground than this. I hope he will be sold now, but we will see,” reported winning handler Willie Murphy of the Ed Byrne-owned and bred five-year-old.

Lucky venue for Coffey

THE Co Meath course has proven to be a lucky venue for Tipperary owner Pat Coffey, as having seen his colours carried to success aboard Midnight Walk at the 2016 fixture, he was again present to celebrate the success of Ryans Fancy (3-5/1) in the unplaced maiden.

The Denis Murphy-trained Getaway gelding was delivered with a confident waiting ride to easily account for Toast To Thomas.

The 12-length success was a second for 20-year-old Kevin Corrigan in the Pat Coffey colours, having guided the now Punchestown Festival winner Ard Abhainn to a debut victory at Lingstown in March.

For the second year in succession, Nigel Slevin sent out a winner at his local fixture, with Like A Demon (7/4-3/1) following in the footsteps of Mr Boss Man by carrying the Camillus Slevin colours to success.

Their 2019 victory came in the winner-of-one race, with Like A Demon making tough work of this assignment in the hands of Luke McGuinness, but the nine-year-old got his head in front where it mattered to defeat Colonel Sam by three-quarters of a length.

“His run against Burning Ambition last season meant he should win this. It was the wrong way around for him as he jumps right handed. He will got to Punchestown for the banks race next month,” remarked the winning handler.

Horse to Follow

Not May (H. Finnegan): This daughter of Arcadio seemed to be coming with a very strong challenge in the home straight, only to part company with her rider at the last. She has to be considered unlucky here.

Thanking Dr McDowell

A NUMBER of committee members led by Captain Walford made a presentation to Dr Carlos McDowell in recognition of her work with the hunt committee at their point-to-point races. Dr McDowell, a former consultant at the nearby Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda for 29 years, has acted as a doctor at their points across three decades prior to her retirement.

Fantastic entertainment ONCE again, the oganisers ensured there was a packed programme of racing and attractions. The Boyne Valley Flavours tent featured 17 stands offering everything from gluten free cider, to artisan cakes and soy candles, while the 14 vendors in the shopping village, included John Fitzgerald, the equine portrait artist and Carol Sheridan interiors. Outside, younger racegoers took full advantage of a petting farm, pony rides, GAA skill zone, pumpkin carving and a new maze constructed out of hay bales.