Alan Mahon

THE East Down Foxhounds held their second point-to-point in the space of five weeks at Tyrella, Co Down, where racing got underway over an hour after the scheduled start time due to the late arrival of an ambulance.

Once racing was allowed to commence, the patient racegoers were treated to an impressive victory in the opening Dennison Commercials four-year-old maiden as the Denis Murphy-trained Palmers Hill (1/1 favourite) won with any amount in hand under Jamie Codd.

In doing so, the son of Gold Well strengthened the form of the record breaking Flemenshill, a £480,000 purchase for Alan and Ann Potts at the Tattersalls Ireland Cheltenham January Sale. Palmers Hill finished third on his debut outing at Oldtown last month to the sales topper.

The Maria Byrne-owned gelding was settled in mid-division by Codd, where he travelled and jumped expertly throughout before taking up the lead at the second last. Once in front, the contest did not look in doubt as he easily extended his advantage before the last and recorded a 20-length victory over the Shane Donohue-trained newcomer Sad Eyed Dylan.

“Jamie (Codd) said he was unreal. Every time he went out the back onto the nice ground he just came alive under him. The horse is about 16.3hh and when he got into the heavy ground he just wasn’t as effective but he still proved his class here. He had a great introduction the last day but when he hit the heavy ground after the second last he got tired because he is such a big horse. He will go to the Cheltenham sales next,” remarked winning handler Murphy.

Codd was declared to ride Howaya Aoife (4/1) for Gerard Keane in the following Albert Bartlett five and six-year-old mares’ maiden but, due to the lengthy delay, the Wexford native was forced to leave after the opener as he was riding in the Navan bumper for Gordon Elliott. This proved to be beneficial for Jimmy O’Rourke, as he benefitted from Codd’s absence to steer the daughter of Court Cave to victory.

In pursuit of the favourite Bang Bang Rosie after the second last, the Steven Vaughan-owned winner was within a length of the leader when a slow jump from the favourite allowed O’Rourke’s mount to gain the advantage on the run-in and score by a length.

The winning mare is out of Howaya Pet, who was also trained by Keane to win three points during the 2001/’02 season under Gordon Elliott. The consistent mare went on to win seven times on the track, including the Grade 3 Porterstown Handicap Chase at Fairyhouse.

Keane commented “She’s a nice mare and is out of a good mare we had a few years ago. We broke her as a three-year-old and she has just taken a bit of time. I’ll need to get talking to the lads to see what they want to do with her.”

Hilltown-based Sean McParlan continued his successful season as he trained a double, initiated in style in the Millar McCall Wylie winners of three by As The Crow Flies (4/6 favourite), who was partnered by his son Noel.

Recording his fourth consecutive success, the Presenting gelding won very easily and is improving with every run, having gone clear on the run-in to secure a 10-length victory over the previous course winner Asking Questions.

“‘The Crow’ was impressive there and that’s four in a row now. We might keep going in points or go for a bumper next,” remarked the winning handler.

McParlan did not have to wait long for the second-leg of his double as Rory Devine guided The Trigger (2/1) to victory in the Stephen Magee and William McDowell confined hunt winners’ race. Having his first outing for the stable and carrying the colours of his handler, the son of Beneficial accounted for the outsider of the four runners and battled gamely on the run-in to hold off News For Pascal by six lengths.

An elated McParlan said: “I am really happy for Rory (Devine) to get that winner. We will keep him pointing now.”

MEMORABLE

It was also a memorable day for Rory Devine as he completed a double when scoring on the Rodney Arthur-trained Nettlebush (5/1) in the concluding older geldings’ maiden for novice riders. Placed on his previous outing at Kirkistown, the son of Kalanisi had the measure of his nearest rival, Taylor’s Guest, when he fell at the last before going on to cross the line a distance clear of the only other finisher, Flying Forever.

The seven-year-old is a half-brother to One Cool Guy, a winner of his maiden point-to-point before going on to win the Gigginstown point-to-point bumper at Fairyhouse under Nina Carberry.

Graham McKeever recorded his fourth winner of the season in the CBRE five and six-year-old geldings’ maiden, as Patgary (12/1) took proceedings under Mark O’Hare.

Always positioned to the fore right from flag fall, Peggy Hagan’s five-year-old quickened after the second last and held off the challenge of Alone No More by four and a half-lengths, with the never nearer Some Response another half a length back in third.

Patgary is by Ballingarry and is out of an unraced French mare who is a half sister to multiple winners in France. A delighted McKeever commented: “When he worked on Tuesday, none of the other horses got near him so we decided to change tactics and send him off in front. He jumps well, travels and he preferred that better ground. He could go for a winners’ race next.”

Devine on song

RORY Devine enjoyed a successful day racing at Tyrella on Saturday recording a double in the final two races. Originally from Sion Mills outside Strabane, Devine’s last winner was seven years ago at Farmacaffley in Armagh, when he partnered Super Arney, whom he owned and trained himself, to win the older geldings’ maiden. The 38-year-old worked with Tom Mullins for two years and recently moved to work for Sean McParlan at the start of the current season.