American Mike looks a big-money pointer

THE return of point-to-pointing at Cork last Saturday saw plenty of truly run races and there were very few hiding places throughout many of the eight contests.

American Mike (94+) flourished on his debut and put up a big performance to win by 20 lengths, the largest winning margin on the day and in the quickest time too.

The visual impression that was given in the home straight as he stormed clear in such emphatic fashion was particularly taking and he stands out as a future graded-race winner.

All three winning five-year-old geldings on the day also offered a great deal of early promise. Minella Crooner (92+) won going away in a race dominated by a runaway leader.

Ingenious Stroke (91+) has to be given particular praise as the only winner to make all of the running as he progressed from his Ballycrystal debut.

Of the mares, Jenny Flex (84++) is bred to be an above-average performer and this test proved a better platform to showcase her real potential as she stepped up from her Punchestown bumper debut to outclass seven rivals.

Sunday stars

At Tipperary, the card began with a bang courtesy of two top-quality performances in the opening two races, as North Of Nashville (84++), who was left in front when the long-time leader fell with four to jump, was untroubled from that point of the race.

She travelled very strongly throughout and, although steadying into the last, she proved to be in a different league to her opposition and looks to be another star mare to have come through the pointing ranks.

In the geldings’ equivalent, Marcel De Cerisy (94++) would seem to have all the early promise of some of the quality graded performers that have emerged from Pat Doyle’s Suirview Stables academy.

This winner made all the running, setting a good tempo in the process, which ensured none of his rivals ever offered a meaningful challenge as he clocked a good time.

Gaia Du Goet (82+) looks above-average for her category following a winning debut.