Eanna Cronin
LARRY O’Carroll is enjoying a breakthrough season, having now partnered seven winners between the flags this term. The Kilkenny native has eleven career wins for nine different trainers and with over 150 rides to his name, he is sure to be in demand for the remainder of the season.
O’Carroll teamed up with trainer Cian Hughes to take the Oldcastle Co-op & McConnell Flynn & O’Connell Veterinary Surgeons five and six-year-old geldings’ maiden with the debutant All For Joy (2/1 - 6/4 favourite).
The winning son of Robin Des Pres bounced out, jumped well and made every post a winning one in the colours of Derek Corbally. Picking up well from two out, the five-year-old had to dig deep in the closing stages to see off the rallying Screaming Colours who got to within a neck of the winner.
Hughes who was saddling his first winner of the season stated: “He is a fair horse. The owner, Derek Corbally, gave him plenty of time. We fancied him today. I think he will have a break now and we might go for a bumper then.”
NO ILL-EFFECTS
The Tattersalls Ireland & College Protein five and six-year-old mares’ maiden saw JJ Walsh produce a fine waiting ride aboard the Sean Doyle-trained Talk Of Gold (3/1 - 4/1). The winner was showing no ill effects from coming to grief four out at Courtown the previous weekend.
Waited with in rear for much of the contest, the good-looking grey made smooth progress inside the final mile before sweeping through to pick up the running after the penultimate obstacle. From there, the five-year-old quickened up smartly to win by over a length in the Monbeg Syndicate colours with the even-money favourite Westerner Ocean filling the runner-up spot under Barry O’Neill.
A £5,000 graduate of the Goffs UK store sale, the daughter of Gold Well is out of a French-bred dam. “This is a grand little mare. She will probably go for a winners’ race in a couple of weeks’ time. JJ is based with us” said Donnchadh Doyle, representing his brother.
DEBUT WIN
The opening Goffs Punchestown Sale four-year-old maiden was a race which changed complexion a number of times inside the final mile. However, take nothing away from the winner Onefortheroadtom (3/1) who put in a likable performance to take this contest on his debut.
The eye-catching grey led and disputed for much of the journey under Declan Lavery. After losing his position when the pace quickened three out, the Brain Hamilton-trained gelding rallied and stayed on gamely again to record a three-length success from Newtide back in second.
Purchased by his owner Patrick Turley for €12,500 at the August Sale last summer, the well-bred winner is out of a six-time-winning dam Ifni Du Luc.
The winning handler said: “Paddy used to work for me. He was doing the horse himself but got kicked in the face at Christmas and wasn’t able to do him so he sent him up to me. I thought he worked nicely at home and think he will improve.” The son of Fair Mix is now sales-bound.
Only three runners faced the starter in the Triermore Stud open. The winner Quiet Account (1/3 - 2/5) went off odds-on favourite and the result never looked in doubt. Given a patient ride by regular rider Noel McParlan, the now eight-time winner, who won a hunters chase at Stratford last May, eased to the front at the penultimate obstacle before picking up smartly to win by 10 lengths.
Railway Icon just held on for second from the rallying No Secrets in third, who had cut out much of the running. Co. Down-based winning handler Colin McBratney, was absent on the day, but winning owner Frances Savage commented post-race: “I just leave it all up to Colin, he might go for another hunters chase now.”
FIRST WINNER FOR LOVE
Tim Love partnered his first winner in the concluding McQuaids Pharmacy, Seven Wonders - Fore, Teddys Niteclub, Caffreys Millbrook & Mary Jane Roberts older maiden for novice riders. The Ciaran Murphy-trained Damut I’m Out (6/4 - Evs co-favourite) followed-up on his recent second at Castletown to record a two-and-a-half-length success.
Always to the fore of proceedings, Love produced his mount to pick up the initiative turning in while The Bright Cherry, who looked like he was going to throw down a challenge when running out at the last, left the winner to come home clear from long-time leader Steel Dawn.
Jubilant scenes greeted the Liam Mullen and Barry Donoghue-owned gelding in the winners’ enclosure and a delighted handler commented afterwards: “I’m delighted for Tim. He is a grandson of Dot Love.
“This is a lovely horse, we ran him in the hunt race a fortnight ago and Aaron gave him a lovely ride and it left him ready for this. We thought he had improved and I was hoping he could run a nice race. Tim gave him a cracking ride.” The winner will now target a winners’ race or a bumper.
Intheghetto (7/4 - 2/1) put in a very game performance to take the Ballytherm & Allied Recycling winners’ of one. One of the first off the bridle, this likable son of Morozov was ridden from after four out and to his credit the nine-year-old kept finding for pressure.
Only in fourth approaching the final fence the eventual winner rallied all the way to the line, getting up in the shadow of the post under a strong drive from Simon Cavanagh. Drimsree Lad filled the runner-up spot less than a length behind the winner, while the favourite Sizing Rome disappointed back in third.
A delighted owner/trainer Heather Kiernan stated afterwards: “He is just such an honest horse, he is an out-and-out stayer. I am delighted as that was unexpected given the opposition. Simon knows this horse inside out and was great on him. We have six in for the season and always have room for a few more.”
Off the mark
IT was a red-letter day for 17-year-old Tim Love who got off the mark at the first time of asking between the flags. The fifth year student goes to school at Kings Hospital in Lucan, rides out for Ciaran Murphy and also for his grandmother Dot Love at weekends and school holidays. Having ridden in two bumpers, Love produced his mount with a well-timed run here, on what his first ride over fences. The novice rider intends to continue his education and go to college while pursuing a career as an amateur.
Celebrations
THE Ballymacad Hunt was celebrating the 40 years anniversary of the point-to-point being held at Oldcastle and offered free entry to all patrons. Racecards and raffle tickets were on sale at the gate. It was noted over the loudspeaker that some of the participants from the point-to-point 40 years ago were in attendance on the day.
One for the ladies
A SIDE saddle took place after racing, with six runners going to post. A good crowd remained to watch the contest which was run over just less than a circuit of the course, with the competitors bypassing each of the fences. Susan Oaks took victory, with Maria McNamara filling the runner-up spot. Full credit deserved to Wendy Cooney, Alicia Devlin Byrne, Megan Quigley and Sarah Kileen who also took part in this unique spectacle.