FRESH from a pair of victories at the Punchestown Festival, including claiming the Grade 1 Champion Bumper aboard Colreevy, Jamie Codd completed a memorable week with a double at the East Galway Foxhounds fixture at a sun-drenched Stowlin.

Both of the Co Wexford rider’s winners were supplied by Denis Murphy and the pair commenced their afternoon in the best possible fashion as Alpha Carinae (2-9/4 favourite) obliged in the four-year-old mares’ maiden.

Making her debut, the daughter of Presenting seized control of the eight-runner contest on the run to the last and stuck to her task well late on to outpoint Gin On The Rocks by five lengths.

“That was pretty good. She’s a gorgeous mare that travelled and jumped super. It’s great that she won here as we actually purchased her as a store from the Bleahen family who sponsored the race. She’ll go to one of the upcoming sales now,” remarked owner/trainer Murphy.

The Alan Harte-owned Eurowork (6/4-2/1 favourite) delivered on his initial promise to land the five-year-old geldings’ maiden under Codd.

Denis Murphy’s charge had been an encouraging second to Fully Charged at Castletown last month but enjoyed better fortune here as he produced a dominant display from the front before holding the staying-on Mercury Lane by three-quarters of a length. “This horse jumped really well today. He is only coming to himself now and was quite immature when we ran him in the autumn,” reported Murphy of the €70,000 store acquisition. “He has bundles of ability and will be a nice horse for the track.”

Debutant Geraldo (4-3/1) maintained Ellmarie Holden’s excellent strike-rate this season by battling his way to win the opening division of the younger geldings’ maiden.

Patiently-ridden by Derek O’Connor, the Paul Holden-owned youngster finished to some effect on the short run-in, eventually reeling in the front-running Don Diablo in the shadows of the post to win by a neck.

FORTUNATE

“We were confident coming here today as Derek had sat on him at home and really liked him. We’re fortunate to have had him on a couple of four-year-olds and it’s worked out well. This is a lovely horse that may well be sold now,” outlined successful trainer Holden.

The latter split of the younger geldings’ maiden also went the way of a newcomer as Premium Package (4-6/1) ran out a convincing winner for the Kenny family of Gorey, Co Wexford.

The home-bred son of Presenting had moved into a challenging position under James Kenny when left clear by the departure of French Paradoxe at the penultimate obstacle.

From here, the Noeleen Kenny-owned-bay only needed to be kept up to his work to dismiss Summer Tide by 10 lengths.

The first foal out of the Kenny family’s five-time winner Gallant Ferns, was saddled to victory by Liam Kenny who reflected: “We’re thrilled with that. He did it really well today and James gave him a fine ride. We might send him to the Cheltenham May Sale now.”

Holycross, Co Tipperary-rider Susie Doyle is flying at present and edged two winners ahead of Liz Lalor in the race to be champion lady-rider as Samanntom (4/5 favourite) provided her with her third winner in as many weeks when claiming the ladies open-lightweight.

Seven days after scoring at Dromahane, Mary Doyle’s charge readily justified favouritism as he dispatched main market-rival Sound Money by nine lengths. “He’s a smashing horse. Susie and himself have struck up a great partnership. Once the rain stays away and the ground stays dry he will go for another open,” declared winning handler Pat Doyle. “He’ll be entered again for next weekend and may run.”

The five and six-year-old mares’ maiden attracted the largest field of the day with 15 particpiants facing the starter.

Victory here ultimately went the way of the Breandan Long-trained Twilight Girl (6-7/1) who atoned for falling on her debut at Inch last month. William Costelloe’s home-bred daughter of Craigsteel took sole charge of this contest from the halfway juncture.

Despite the threat of both Esthers Marvel and favourite Emily Roebling in the straight, Shane Fitzgerald’s mount found plenty after the last to carry the day by two lengths.

“We felt she was going to run a big race in Inch only to fall. Thankfully she made amends today. I’ll speak to her owner later but she may be sold now. Shane is fantastic to us, he comes in and schools a lot for us so I’m delighted to give him a winner,” stated Long.

Another who fell on his previous run but emerged victorious here was Cormac Farrell’s Another Tuco (4-5/1) who proved much too strong for his six rivals in the concluding six-year-old and upwards maiden.

Given the office by Simon Cavanagh as the field rounded the bottom bend for the final time, the Edel Patterson-owned six-year-old responded well to his rider’s urgings late in the day to prevail by two lengths from the rallying Mustmeetforapint.

“We think he’s a horse with a future. I’m delighted for Michael John and Edel Patterson who have been rewarded for their patience today. I also can’t praise Simon enough, he was superb on the horse today and is a big part of our team,” commented Farrell.

HORSE TO FOLLOW

MINELLA TARA (J. Nallen): This newcomer by Kayf Tara was in the process of producing a cracking effort in the opening split of the four-year-old geldings’ maiden only to come to grief at the last. He can gain compensation on his next run.

Riders acclaimed

BEFORE the running of the second race on the card, East Galway Foxhounds Honorary Secretary Bridie Larkin presented riders Ray Barron, Jamie Codd and Derek O’Connor with a bottle of champagne each to mark their outstanding achievements in the saddle at the previous week’s Punchestown Festival.

Tip top catering

SUNDAY’s fixture run on the lands of Billy Treacy, drew a substantial crowd. Those enjoying the warm sunshine throughout the afternoon were well catered for as adjacent to the weigh-tent the East Galway Foxhounds provided bar facilities offering ample seating and ice-cold refreshments to older racegoers.

Also located nearby was a stall run by a local bakery offering freshly baked goods to those present. The younger generation was also well looked after with two bouncy castles amongst the attractions on offer.