CARLOW handler Aidan Fitzgerald enjoyed a double on the afternoon at Belclare and got off the mark in the five and six-year-old mares’ maiden when Bannixtown Glory (5/2 -6/4) ran out a comprehensive 18-length winner.
Owned by the Kennedy family this was certainly a well-deserved success for the five-year-old as she had finished second on her previous two starts. Richie Deegan did the steering aboard the daughter of Fame And Glory, who was in command from some way out, with runner-up Newbrook Rose unable to land a blow in the home straight.
“This is the first horse I have had for the lads, I am delighted she won. We took a chance running her two Sundays in a row, but we knew she was in great form. If she isn’t sold now we will go for a winners’ race or a bumper. She went out and did what we thought she could do today,” commented the Carlow handler.
Rosfoyle (1/1-6/4 favourite) brought up the double for Aidan Fitzgerald, while also topping off a great weekend for Richie Deegan who not only rode two winners on the day, but also enjoyed some big race success when taking the Tetratema Hunters Chase the previous afternoon aboard Fenno’s Storm.
The Declan O’Keeffe-owned winner was following up on her maiden success at Ballindenisk back in the autumn and was certainly not springing any surprises here having shaped very well in this company at Knockanard three weeks earlier.
Another to benefit from positive tactics, the daughter of Milan came home 15 lengths clear of northern raider Jasper Bear.
A delighted Fitzgerald said afterwards: “It’s brilliant to have a double, I am delighted for Declan and Kate, they have a few horses with me. It is after being a quite year, but the horses are turning a corner now. I think she should win a similar race again.”
IMPRESSION
Jimmy O’Rourke made the long trip up from Wexford worthwhile when also enjoying a brace on the day. Farouk D’Alene (5/4 -11/10 favourite) left a lasting impression when running out an impressive winner of the opening four-year-old maiden, on what was his first start between-the-flags.
The Monbeg Syndicate-owned French-bred, appears to have ability in abundance coming home to record a hard-held 15-length success over The Whistle Blower.
With handler Donnchadh Doyle on duty at Turtulla, representative Andy Pierce said: “This lad cost £34,000 at Doncaster last May. We thought a lot of him coming here today and thankfully he did the job. The plan is to go to the Cheltenham Sales now, we will just have to see how he is in the morning.”
Clare handler Joe Ryan enjoyed his first success of the season when taking the five-year-old geldings’ maiden with Tuff Times (3/1) bringing up the double for Jimmy O’Rourke in the process.
The son of Curtain Time was getting off the mark at the second attempt, having finished seventh on his debut at Boulta back in January. Sporting the colours of the handler’s son Josh, the successful gelding came out on top of a protracted battle with the runner-up Jimmil to record a two-length success.
“He just blew up the first day, but I thought we had him right today. He is well-bred and we were very happy with him at home. Jimmy has had two rides and two winners for me. We will head to the sales now,” eluded the handler.
The concluding older maiden saw Vinnies Nephue (4/5-2/1) get off the mark at the third time of asking. The seven-year-old was certainly not winning out of turn here having finished second on his last start at Kilfeacle following an 18-month layoff.
Handler Willie Murphy may well have been feeling the pressure as his wife Moira McElligott did the steering aboard the successful gelding.
Never too far away from the pace in the colours if Patrick Kennedy, the son of Alkaadhem saw off a host of challengers in the home straight to come home three lengths clear of Hollybank King.
“He had a good run at Kilfeacle the last day so we were hoping he would win today. It is hard watching the wife ride! You end up worrying about the horse and the wife, but she gave him a great ride. He will probably go for a winners’ race on soft ground somewhere now,” said the Carlow native.
SECOND SUCCESS
Norman Lee has his string in fine form of late and the Galway handler once again teamed up with rider Chris O’Donovan to secure a second success in just seven days when Rebel Leader (2/1) took the adjacent maiden.
Sporting the colors of Sarah Hogan, the debutant jumped well at the head of proceedings before seeing-off the attention of previously placed The Bonny Boy by three lengths.
“That’s brilliant. This is a grand bonny horse who jumps like a stag. We think a bit of him and we will head to the sales now. He will do a job for someone else,” commented Lee.
HORSE TO FOLLOW
MY NEWBROOK ROSE (A. Murray): Caught the eye when finishing a fine second to a far more experienced sort in the mares’ maiden. Having just her second start here, the daughter of Doyen came from a fair way back under Declan Lavery to fill the runner-up berth. The six-year-old missed the third last and appear to tire late on, so one could expect there may be plenty more to come.
NEWS
Charity race
THE North Galway’s were certainly thinking outside the box when organising a charity hunt race with a twist.
The 12 competitors raced a lap of the track, although as the allowed mounts were hobby horses, the participants had to circumnavigate the mile round course under their own steam!
Heavy sleet showers certainly did not make their task any easier but full credit to all the runners, with everybody raising €100 for Galway Hospice.
Brona Mooney deserved a special mention for some trojan behind the scenes work.
Ray Barron returns
RAY Barron had his second ride back for injury and his outback back between-the-flags in the mares’ maiden, having broken his jaw just five weeks previously as Belharbour.
The Limerick-based jockey luckily escaped unscathed following a fall from Rose Of Aghaboe here and will be hoping to add to his tally of three winners this term before too long.
Tough weather
SLEET showers throughout the day certainly made conditions challenging for organisers, competitors and spectators alike during the afternoon.
Indeed only three bookmakers braved the elements although with a number of short-priced favourites turned over on the day it wasn’t the worst of days to be a layer!