Margie McLoone
MARITO totally outclassed his rivals when making a winning point-to-point debut at Kirkstown last Saturday, providing his rider, Noel McParlan, with the middle leg of a treble in the process.
Trained by Colin McBratney, the German-bred eight-year-old tracked the free-running Nodforms Violet in the five-runner open until giving best to Oscar Barton with over a circuit to travel.
A good jump three out saw Oscar Barton land upsides the longtime leader and he edged ahead over the next.
All the while, Marito (4/5) was closing with every stride and, on the outer, headed his main market-rival turning for home before going clear to score by an impressive eight lengths. The Alkalde gelding, who finished second to Hurricane Fly in last year’s Morgiana Hurdle, was previously trained for Susannah Ricci by Willie Mullins for whom he won three chases
“That’s a relief!” said McBratney who also trains Butney Boy and Quickasyoucan for Belfast owners James Marley and Sam Downey. “It’s great to get him back on track and he did it well. I’ve always been friendly with Harold Kirk which is how we came to get the horse after he was injured in the build-up to the Boylesports Hurdle at Leopardstown last January.
“The vets weren’t all that positive about his recovery but he did three months’ box rest, began walking in April and was back cantering in June. Because he won a listed race on New Year’s Day, he’s not eligible to run in hunter chases this season so chances are that he’ll go for a conditions’ chase at Thurles in mid-January.”
Regional champion in the 2012/2013 season, McParlan initiated his treble in the Bellas Bistro/Finnegans Bar mares’ maiden on the Beneficial six-year-old Fair Ethel who was making her pointing debut.
Wearing a hood and held up off the pace set mainly by Sentry Girl, the 7/4 (from 2/1) favourite began improving her position before the start of the final circuit and was disputing third place as they turned down the back straight.
While Auntie Norma and Sentry Girl battled away up front before the turn for home, Fair Ethel arrived with her challenge on the wide outside. She was in front on straightening up and stayed on strongly to see off the 10-year-old Sentry Girl by three lengths.
Fair Ethel, who ran twice in bumpers in the spring of 2013 for Aaron Stronge, was purchased a few months back by Scottish owner Bill Murphy.
“We expected her to win today,” said Danny Fitzsimmons representing winning trainer Jerry Cosgrave.
McParlan brought up his treble in the concluding older geldings’ maiden on Mr Bolt (6/4-5/4) who was up front throughout. Merrydown Black took the favourite on in the early stages but it was Sarsfields Legend who disputed the running as they commenced the final circuit.
Mr Bolt outjumped his rival at the second last, where both Cousin Bill and Merrydown Black departed, becoming the only fallers on the day, and went away to score by an easy 12 lengths. The Akbar nine-year-old is described as a “right old horse” by the rider’s father Sean McParlan who trains the winner for Niall McCarthy.
NORTHERN SUCCESS
On a good day for northern trainers and riders, Steven Clements landed the F.S. Herron five-year-old geldings’ maiden on impressive newcomer General Principle (2/1-4/1).
The Gold Well bay took up the running before halfway and, left clear at the third last where the challenging Toast And Jam ran out, was never troubled to see off fellow debutant Bartons Brae by eight lengths.
General Principle is trained for Roy Wilson by Stuart Crawford who said: “I’m delighted this horse has won as I bought him for Roy in Doncaster two years ago. He could go any route. It was probably soft enough for him today but that was ideal for a first run.”
The tightest finish of the day came in the winners of two where the three runners matched strides from the third last around to the final fence.
The favourite, Count Massini (4/9), who was giving 5lb to his rivals, was half a length down over the last and, in a driving finish, it was Illusion Of Time (4/1), in the centre, who beat the longtime leader Drum Bay by a half-length.
The winning St Jovite gelding, who won his maiden at Loughrea in October and finished second in the hunters’ chase at Wexford last month, was ridden by his trainer Marshall Watson. Running in the colours of the late Rodney Watson, the six-year-old will be aimed at the hunters’ chase at Limerick over Christmas.
Barry O’Neill, the sole southern rider to partner a winner at the meeting, landed the opening Dennison Commercials four-year-old maiden on Minmore Lodge (1/2) who had finished second on his only previous outing at Corbegh House.
Wishmoor made much of the running here but was joined on his outer by the favourite at the last with the Island-qualified Minmore Lodge staying on the stronger to sore by one and a half lengths.
“This is a cracking horse,” said O’Neill in the absence of successful trainer, Sean Doyle. “The track may have been a bit tight for him, and he would have won more easily on a galloping track, but I always knew I was going to win. He’ll probably go to the sales now.”
Speaking on behalf of the winning Monbeg Syndicate, John Deegan agreed the sales now beckon for Minmore Lodge, a full-brother to three track winners including the Grade 2-placed chaser Highland Lodge.
HORSES TO FOLLOW
WISHMOOR (I.R. Ferguson): This good-looking gelding who finished second in the four-year-old maiden, is the first of four produce, all by Winged Love, out of Presentingatdawn (by Presenting). From the family of Hazy Dawn, the dam is a half-sister to the three-time winner Neil Harvey and to the dual hurdle winner Knight Of Noir who are both by Winged Love.