THE Galway Blazers staged their rearranged fixture at Loughrea on Sunday last and the considerable crowd present witnessed some noteworthy performances, particularly that of debutant Lough Derg Leader (9/4-3/1 co-favourite) in the Emily Stanley five and six-year-old geldings maiden. Always travelling kindly in the hands of Steven Clements, the Pat Coffey-owned/trained five-year-old drew clear with fellow market-principal Glenforde as the field exited the back straight for the final time before eventually carrying the day from that rival by a length and a half.

The Nenagh, Co Tipperary-handler Coffey remarked of his Craigsteel gelding, who is a graduate of the 2011 Tattersalls Ireland November National Hunt Sale: “This is a gorgeous, big horse that we have always held in the highest regard. Steven was very happy with him and felt he’d have won by more only for inexperience. He’ll go to one of the sales now.”

Those in attendance had 30 minutes earlier seen a similarly striking performance from the Donnchadh Doyle-handled Top Ville Ben (1/1 favourite) in the opening Goffs Bloodstock Sales four-year-old maiden.

Expertly-ridden by Rob James, who was recording his 25th winner of the campaign, the son of Beneficial was sent to the head of affairs early on the second circuit and from that juncture was never unduly troubled to readily dismiss fellow newcomer Flemcara by three lengths.

The Ballindaggin, Co Wexford-located Doyle later disclosed of the Monbeg Syndicate-owned bay who hails from the family of former top-pointer Charlie Lenihan: “This is a grand straightforward horse that has always pleased us. He jumps very well and will most likely be sold now.”

On a favourable afternoon for punters, the Galway Races Committee open-lightweight saw another short-priced favourite oblige as the Eugene O’Sullivan-trained Drawn N Drank (1/2 favourite) scored in the manner expected under regular partner Turlough O’Connor.

An excellent third-placed effort in a recent Fairyhouse hunter chase saw the Irene Walsh-owned, 10-year-old dispatched at prohibitive odds and the son of Snurge had little difficulty in condemning Grianan Fidh to the runner-up berth by nine lengths.

HUNTER CHASE

“We’ll see how he comes out of this but he might go for the champion hunter chase at Punchestown. If not, he may go to Athlacca for the banks race there,” outlined Ms Walsh.

Ms Walsh’s near neighbour in Newmarket, Co Cork, Denis McCarthy had earlier claimed the Tattersalls Ireland & Ms Leah Haggerty Clark, M.H five-year-old and upwards mares maiden with fellow short-priced market leader Leila’s Island (1/1 favourite).

A model of consistency including when an excellent runner-up at Ballynoe a fortnight previously, the daughter of Beneficial adopted her customary front-running tactics from flag fall under Mikey O’Connor and scarcely saw another of her five opponents, passing the post some seven lengths clear of promising debutant Milan Express.

Successful owner/trainer McCarthy commented of his six-year-old: “I’m delighted with that, she did it well and deserved that.

“Where we will go next with her I’m not sure as we haven’t been looking past today with her.”

Another to benefit from an enterprising front-running ride was the Martin Cullinane-owned and trained Germany John (3/1) in the concluding Western Eco & Electrical Systems Ltd five-year-old and upwards adjacent maiden.

Capably-ridden by Ray Barron, the Germany gelding had many of his six rivals crying enough leaving the back straight and in spite of holding a reduced advantage at the final fence, ultimately responded well to his rider’s urgings to account for favourite Mosstown Miller by three lengths.

With victorious owner/handler on duty elsewhere, triumphant pilot Barron stated: “I’m delighted to ride a winner for Martin, who has been very good to me. This fellow really enjoyed it today from the front. A lot of the credit has to go to Ronaldo, who works with Martin who has done a tremendous job with this horse.”

There had earlier been another popular local success in the Cawleys Pub & Ross O’Driscoll Memorial winners of two as Follow The Moon (7-8/1) upstaged some better fancied opponents to provide local amateur Christopher Daniels with an initial career success in the saddle.

Produced by the successful rider’s father Joe to overcome an absence of 686 days, the bay came out best in an exciting battle with runner-up Rosc Catha from the home turn eventually claiming victory by a length and a half.

“That was a bit of a surprise as we hadn’t much work done with him. He’s a grand consistent type who always finishes his races strongly and in fairness Christopher gave him a grand ride,” divulged Daniels Snr who has care of his 11-year-old homebred at his base near Loughrea.

Bold show from Barron

Limerick-native Ray Barron was rewarded for his innovative ride in the adjacent maiden as Germany John recorded a pillar-to-post victory.

Barron, also seen to excellent effect when successful aboard Misty Mai at Nenagh said: “I’m riding out with Martin (Cullinane) one day a week and he’s been great to me.

“I’m riding out with Enda Bolger three days a week also and he, along with local trainers like John Gleeson and Joey Casey have given me great support too.

“It would be fantastic now to kick on and ride a few more winners in the coming weeks.”

Daniels delight

Galway-city based car mechanic Christopher Daniels was in jubilant mood following his first career win in the saddle aboard his father Joe’s Follow The Moon in the winners of two contest.

“I’m thrilled to be honest as this is very much part-time for me as I’m a full-time mechanic with Audi Galway in Ballybrit. Dad has done a fantastic job with him at home and to win at our local track is great.

The horse is super and he’s given some great spins over the last couple of years and today was no different,” declared 24-year-old Daniels.