HENRY de Bromhead has been rivalling Gordon Elliott for his acquisitions from the point-to-point fields in recent years, and his Waterford yard has been been bolstered by the addition of last Sunday’s star performer An Tobar (94++).
The Gentlewave gelding produced one of the most visually impressive displays of the season when winning the opening division of the five-year-old geldings’ maiden at Ballyvodock.
Easing to the front exiting the back straight, he immediately extended clear of his rivals, and it was the manner in which he did so without ever coming under pressure which was most striking.
A winning margin of 20 lengths may lead to questions about the opposition. However, the runner-up had certainly shown ability on his debut at Dromahane when falling three out while upsides to suggest he is no back number. On this evidence, it would seem An Tobar is certainly a horse we will be hearing a lot more of.
The second division of that five-year-old geldings’ maiden also produced a noteworthy winner in Colonel Harry (92++). His victory was to be expected after he was cruelly a denied what would have been a facile success at Damma House in the autumn with a final-fence fall, and his jumping was far from foot-perfect on Sunday, ensuring this performance can be marked up.
Rose Of Coolbally (85+) also has some questionably jumping, as she overcame jumping out to her right to become just the fourth horse to win three times this season, and the first mare to do so this term. She is certainly capable of having an impact in right-handed mares’ open races given her progression.
At Tyrella Brain Power (108+) gained a deserved first victory in well over two years as he returned to the promise of his early autumn efforts and he could be the type of horse to mop up quite a few of these races into the spring.
Tamlaght Eyes (78+) made an immediate impact on her first start for new connections. She had victory wrapped up some way out and won with the authority of a mare that is likely well above your average older maiden winner.