WHILE Storm Ciara did her utmost to wreak havoc on sporting events last Sunday, one of the places to be was at Shanakill Cross outside Conna for the annual Tallow meeting that was staged by the West Waterford Foxhounds.

On an afternoon of deep underfoot conditions, Barry O’Neill was the only rider to partner two winners and he got the ball rolling aboard Colin Bowe’s Glenglass (2/1) in the four-year-old maiden. In a race that saw seven out of the eight runners trained in Co Wexford, Bebraveforglory set out with the intention of making all and he had Save The Name plus the eventual winner as his closest pursuers on the run to the third last of the 15 obstacles.

With Save The Name exiting here, Glenglass moved through to challenge on the run to two out. Although erring here, the giant-sized chesnut assumed command before the last and he crossed the line with a length to spare over the staying-on Poppa Poutine.

Bebraveforglory hinted that his turn is imminent by returning a further one and three-quarter lengths behind in third spot.

Glenglass, a half-brother to two blacktype placed performers in Flementime and Mrs Hyde, who was acquired for €42,000 at last year’s Derby Sale, will now be offered at the forthcoming Tattersalls Ireland Cheltenham Sale.

“He’s a horse with tons of raw ability and he showed a nice will to win there,” said Bowe of the Milestone Racing Partnership-owed Glenglass, a first Irish points’ winner for sire Ocovango.

Champion

The reigning champion signed off aboard Richard Black’s Zihuatanejo (5/4) in the six-year-old and upwards geldings’ maiden. Zihuatanejo certainly brought the best form to the table as he finished second to Nicky Henderson’s recent Grade 1-placed novice chaser Champagne Platinum at Quakerstown on his only previous start in April 2018.

The subsequent 22-month lay-off didn’t inconvenience the winning son of Flemensfirth as he made all the running to eclipse the previous weekend’s Ballyvodock runner-up Rwegoinhigh by a snug one and a half lengths in the Big Zeb silks of Gorey hotelier Paddy Redmond.

A tilt at a maiden hurdle is now probable for Zihuatanejo.

Easy winner

The easiest winner of the day was without a shadow of doubt Kilbree Warrior (2/1) as she annihilated the opposition by recording a pillar-to-post success under Tom Feeney for owner/trainer Jimmy Collender in the five- and six-year-old mares’ maiden.

Kilbree Warrior, a daughter of Mahler, who still held the call when falling two out on her debut in the Boulta contest won by Fresh Appeal in early December, established a clear advantage after a mile and she maintained a relentless tempo to dispense with Sheer Liss by 12 lengths.

Kilbree Warrior, who comes from the family of Padre Mio and Robin Des Foret, is another that has booked her passage to the Cheltenham sale next weekend.

Likewise bound for the boutique sale at the Prestbury Park venue is Michael Murphy’s Recite A Prayer (8/1) who showed admirable staying qualities to win the five-year-old geldings’ maiden in the hands of talented 5lb claimer Tiernan Roche.

The whole complexion of this race changed when the front-running Sportify fell three out. Recite A Prayer was then left in front and the Redbridge Stables-owned bay stormed clear from two out to account for the only other finisher Sunset West by 12 lengths.

Recite A Prayer, from the same family as Michael Dickinson’s three-time Queen Mother Champion Chase winner Badsworth Boy, was purchased for €17,500 at the 2018 Tattersalls Ireland May Sale.

Barry’s 150th win

Johnny Barry, who hails from Conna, brought up a notable milestone in front of his home crowd by partnering a 150th points winner aboard Arctic Skipper (4/5) in the three-runner open.

The Vincent Halley-trained Arctic Skipper, who came second in this race last year, disputed the running with Montys Meadow until being called upon for an effort after three out. The response was generous as the former Grade 2 Fortria Chase winner picked up the running after the penultimate obstacle to dismiss admirable 14-year-old Better B Quick by a widening three lengths.

Halley indicated that his father Lar’s Arctic Skipper is likely to contest another open.

Celebration

The locals had further cause for celebration as the meeting’s landowner Jimmy Mangan’s Arvicta (2/1) returned to a rapturous reception on capturing the five-year-old and upwards adjacent hunts’ maiden, much to the dismay of the 13 bookmakers present.

Arvicta, a creditable third on his previous start at Aghabullogue last month, arrived from off the pace under a confident Johnny Hurley to pick up the running on the approach to two out.

It was all plain sailing thereafter as the successful five-year-old, representing Hanford’s Chemist Limited, bounded clear to beat Trees Valley by six lengths. Mangan suggested that Arvicta is likely to have just one more outing this season.

Horse to Follow

Bebraveforglory (M. Flynn-O’Connor): A mid-May foaled son of Fame And Glory, this newcomer jumped impeccably in front in the four-year-old maiden. He was headed before the last, finishing third. He ran considerably better than being beaten by a shade under three lengths indicates and he should blossom into a track winner over middle distances.