Neil O’Donnell

LOUGHREA was the venue for the Galway Blazers annual fixture, where the likes of Brindisi Breeze and Just A Par triumphed in the past.

A Decent Excuse became the first horse to win two points this season by recording a comprehensive success in the Renvyle House Hotel & Resort and MacDermot & Allen Solicitors open lightweight.

Partnered to success, just as he was at Castletown-Geoghegan seven days earlier, by owner/trainer Eugene O’Sullivan’s 17-year-old nephew Michael O’Sullivan, the former six-time track winner A Decent Excuse (3/1) was always quite well positioned in this six-runner contest as Valco De Touzaine set off in his customary front-running role.

Western Man made the decisive move by storming into the lead with regular partner Darragh Allen after the fourth last of the 16 obstacles as the pace slackened briefly.

The eventual winner was in pursuit from two out and the Lombardstown runner took command after this penultimate obstacle. Western Man, while sticking resolutely to his task, soon had no more to offer, but he still acquitted himself well by returning six lengths adrift in second spot.

The favourite, Venetien De Mai, beaten from two out, made a satisfactory return to action by securing the minor honours, a further half-length adrift in third spot.

“This horse was in such good form during the week that we said that we would run him again,” said the elder O’Sullivan. “We will hopefully aim him at the Cork hunter chase next month. I would love long-term to run him in the Foxhunter at next year’s Cheltenham Festival.”

On an excellent afternoon for Co Cork horses, the Adrian Maguire-trained Knockraha Boss provided Jamie Codd with the concluding leg of a two-timer by landing the Jim Derwin winners of one by a wide margin.

This doesn’t quite tell the whole story as the towering Robin The Hare, having an initial start for Shark Hanlon, was still bowling along merrily with a three-length advantage when cruelly falling two out.

The patiently-ridden Knockraha Boss (5/2), a former track performer who finished second in a Cork bumper on this Sunday two years ago, was then left in front and he crossed the line with 12 lengths to spare over Chinatown Boy.

Maguire indicated that Knockraha Boss, owned by the executors of his breeder and lifelong point’s supporter Michael O’Donoghue, will now be aimed at the Limerick maiden hunter chase over Christmas.

Ballincollig-based owner Con McSweeney was understandably all smiles following the facile success of Canyouringmeback, handled by Roisin Hickey, under a confident Jamie Codd in the Pier Head Bar & Restaurant five-year-old geldings’ maiden.

Canyouringmeback (5/4-9/10), who really caught the eye by finishing third on his sole start last term in a fiercely-competitive Killeagh contest won by Minella Enore, was content to track the front-running Well Tom until he was asked to go past before the final fence.

Well Tom, to his credit, rallied gamely on the flat but he was unable to match the winning son of Robin Des Pres inside the final 25 yards with two and a half lengths separating the pair.

McSweeney’s brother John indicated that Canyouringmeback, a graduate of the 2015 Fairyhouse August Sale, is now likely to be sold.

CHAMPION

Barry O’Neill, fresh from his Castletown-Geoghegan two-timer, continued his fine start to the new campaign by teaming up with old ally Colin Bowe to collect the opening the Costello Family four-year-old maiden with Rath An Iuir.

The Flemensfirth-sired Rath An Iuir (4/1), placed third on his two starts last spring at Loughanmore and Taylorstown, moved second behind Passageway from two out.

The latter still held a narrow advantage at the final fence, but Rath An Iuir responded generously and literally on the line beat the gallant Passageway by a short-head in what was unsurprisingly the closest finish of the afternoon.

Rath An Iuir represents the Milestone Racing Partnership and the 2016 Derby Sale graduate is likely to be seen in new silks when in action again.

Passageway’s trainer Pat Doyle didn’t leave empty handed as Rockmount Rocker, who finished a remote third to Moyross at this same meeting 12 months ago, won an eventful Easyfix & The Turf Club six-year-old geldings’ maiden in a race that saw just two out of the five runners complete the course.

Rockmount Rocker (2/1), homebred by the absent Jenny Hunt, led from the 10th fence and the race concerned just him and Troll D’Oudairies from the bypassed fourth last fence.

Although erring two out, the winning son of Albano was by now in control and he then coasted home with 12 lengths to spare over Troll D’Oudairies. Rockmount Rocker was partnered by Bill Shanahan, who now works alongside Pat Doyle.

LIKELY WINNER

Five-horse handler Heather Kiernan, having saddled Presentingprincess to oblige at her local Castletown-Geoghegan fixture the previous Sunday, sent out last season’s Ballingarry runner-up Cubanera to score with the capable Timmy Love (grandson of Dot Love) in the Rosshill Farm Stud, The Thatch Bar, Oranmore & KCL Building Contractors five-year-old and upwards mares’ maiden.

Cubanera (4/1), owned by Andrew Kiernan from Mullingar (no relation to the winning handler) could be called the most likely winner from four out as she moved through to join Just Like Us.

The winning daughter of Milan took command from the penultimate obstacle and she then bravely kept Cloudy Day at bay in the closing stages to land the spoils by a length.

A mares’ winners’ race is now probable for Cubanera.

Head in the books

THE importance of education was underlined by owner/trainer Eugene O’Sullivan following the authoritative success of A Decent Excuse under his nephew Michael O’Sullivan in the open.

Eugene said: “Michael has been on board A Decent Excuse for his two wins this season but he’s studying for his Leaving Cert next June and that has to come first.

“My daughter Maxine will now take over, although Michael will still ride A Decent Excuse if he ever runs in a novice riders’ open.”