A TREBLE on the afternoon provided Derek O’Connor with a day to remember, with the Galway rider bringing his tally to 1,250 winners between the flags following the success of Powerful Position in the second division of the five-year-old geldings’ maiden.
Owned by the Three Dudes Syndicate, the debutant came from a long way back to see-off The Flier Begley by four lengths. Winning handler and brother of the rider, Paurick O’Connor commented: “He is a big baby with loads of ability. I bought him from Tom Howley originally, we go back a long way and he will head over to the sales now.”
Derek O’Connor had opened his account earlier in the afternoon aboard Jim Key who made an impressive debut to take the opening division of the four-year-old geldings’ maiden. Sporting the colours of the rider’s wife Carol O’Donnell, this son of Shantou powered clear in the closing stages to come home 10 lengths clear of Brorson, providing handler John Staunton with his first winner of the season.
Afterwards O’Connor stated: “That was great as John only has a small number of horses.
“We thought this lad might lack experience today, but I think his ability overcame that and he is possibly very good. We might go for a bumper now.”
Niall Prendergast was removed to hospital following his second-fence fall from Tuskar Light in the race and expects to be on the sidelines for four weeks having suffered a dislocated and broken elbow.
Kieran Purcell provided the middle leg of the treble for Derek O’Connor when saddling another debutant, Gracchus De Balme, to take the second division of the four-year-old geldings’ maiden.
French-bred
This French-bred son of Manbolix galloped stoutly to the line to see-off Dingy Young by six lengths. Purcell who also owns the gelding said: “This lad would gallop forever and Derek said he also has plenty of pace. He is still a baby and he will come on a ton. It will be hard to hold onto to him now after that.”
Great Heart’Jac enjoys better luck
THE Tim Dinneen-owned Great Heart’Jac provided Jamie Codd with a winner on what was his only ride of the afternoon, when taking the opening division of the five-year-old geldings’ maiden for handler Colin Motherway.
This son of Blue Bresil travelled very strongly into the contest, before going on to atone for the staying-on Chicago Time by a length and a half.
“We always thought a lot of this lad, things just didn’t work out the first day. It was great to get it done today, Jamie is a great man to have on your side,” commented the winning handler.
Small string
Ian Power does well with a small string of horses and Gordyny built on a promising debut to take the opening four-year-old mares’ maiden.
Given a patient ride by James Hannon, the Denis Hayes-owned grey overcame a mistake at the penultimate fence to fend off the attentions of Serenocco by three lengths.
Riding his 99th winner between the flags, Hannon commented: “She was a little fresh and keen the first day and took the run, we dropped her in today and she came through very well.
“She was tough there and has plenty of class. Hopefully she will head to the sales now.”
THE five-year-old mares’ maiden went to the Baltimore Stables Syndicate-owned Talk Derby To Me who made a winning debut under Barry Stone. Never too far away from the pace, the daughter of Black Sam Bellamy overhauled the longtime-leader Miss McGugen to win by seven lengths.
James Doyle, brother of the winning handler Ellen Doyle, said: “She was good there and jumped like a buck. We bought her in Doncaster as a three-year-old but she just needed a bit of time as she is very big. Hopefully we will find a new home for her in the next few weeks.”
Following 16 winners as a conditional, Liam Gilligan rode his first winner back between the flags when partnering the Patrick Doyle-owned and trained Lady Mangan to victory in the mares’ open.
The Forge Mill departed two out, leaving the eventual winner to come home five lengths in front of the prolific Longhouse Music.
A Peugeot dealer in Courtown, Co Wexford, the successful handler stated: “She came on from her first run of the season. I might go for a winners’ race or maybe even a hunter chase with her. She is handicapped under rules so she has plenty of options.”
Tough Comet
Novice rider Adam Feeney enjoyed his second career success when steering home the Ruaidhri Tierney-trained Arctic Comet to take the concluding older geldings’ maiden.
Fourth on his last start at Dromahane, the son of Arctic Cosmos found plenty for pressure to see off Windsor Dawn by five lengths in the colours of Aine Tierney.
The successful rider stated: “That’s my second winner, I was lucky to get on this horse today as the race was for novice riders. I ride work and school for the Tierneys whenever I can.
“He was spot on today, he travelled easy all the way and was tough in the finish.”
Lisronagh track addition
THE track extension was very well received on the afternoon and the Tipperary Hunt were duly rewarded with no fewer than 90 runners.
Multiple champion rider Derek O’Connor commented: “The track will be up there with the better tracks in the country in the future, but it will take a bit of time for the new ground to settle in.
“It’s a great addition.”
Horse to follow
The Flier Begley (S. Crawford) This Shirocco gelding came home very well from a long way back to finish a fine second in the second division of the five-year-old geldings’ maiden on what was his debut.