AFTER dominating the last few months at Dundalk, Joseph O’Brien also held sway in by far the biggest race of the winter season as he sent out Crossfirehurricane to defeat stablemate Choice Of Mine in the Listed Woodford Reserve Patton Stakes.
In quite an open edition of this one-mile race, O’Brien saddled two of the most interesting runners in the aforementioned pair, and the likeable Crossfirehurricane again showed his pattern race potential.
The Scott Heider-owned and bred son of Kitten’s Joy overcame a near eight-month absence to make it two wins from as many starts at this track last month and he was even better here.
The Shane Crosse-ridden winner chased Choice Of Mine from early on and shortly after turning in it was apparent that the stablemates had the race to themselves. Crossfirehurricane (5/2) had to work to get the better of the pace-setter – a maiden winner here two months previously - and it was only over the last 150 yards that he got on top to carry the day by half a length.
Orchid Gardens secured valuable blacktype in third but this race belonged to the first two who should remain potent performers at stakes level over the coming months.
“He’s a lovely colt who is progressing with every run. He could easily get further in time and I’d say we will look at a Guineas Trial for him now, possibly the one at Leopardstown next month,” reported O’Brien.
Treble
This fixture yielded a treble for Joseph O’Brien which moved him on to the 20-winner mark for the winter heading into last night’s Dundalk card, and the trainer’s resurgent San Andreas was hugely impressive in the seven-furlong conditions race.
After running riot in a handicap here last month, this Annus Mirabilis Syndicate-owned son of Dark Angel was raised 11lb to a mark of 100 but he looked even better here.
Declan McDonogh’s mount again dominated from the front and only needed to be pushed out to defeat the 100-rated Laugh A Minute by four lengths. A step-up to stakes level is the plan for San Andreas with O’Brien indicating that his charge may go on his travels.
The treble was bought up by Funny Little Ways (7/1) in the seven-furlong three-year-old handicap. This Gutaifan filly is owned by her breeder Kevin Blake, who also works for the trainer, and she overcame a stall 15 draw to race on the pace before taking command over the last quarter of a mile.
At the line, Mikey Sheehy’s mount had three and a half lengths to spare over the favourite, Kosman.
O’Brien senior
Aidan O’Brien made his first runner of the year in Ireland a winning one as United Front bolted up in the six-furlong maiden on his first outing since finishing ninth to Pintatubo in the Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot.
Seamie Heffernan rode a patient race on the son of War Front but this race took on a very one-sided look over the last furlong.
United Front (5/6) led just inside the distance before pulling away to defeat the 66-rated Chanell Eclipse by four lengths.
A tremendous finish was in store for the amateur riders’ handicap over two miles where the Noel Meade-trained Jerandme justified 3/1 favouritism to give jockey Mark O’Hare a winner from his first ride at this track.
The six-year-old, who returned from a lengthy break to reach the frame in a maiden several weeks ago, produced an unfaltering effort from the turn in to hold off Polytrack specialist Sharjah by a nose.
The Harbrio Partnership-owned Jerandme, who is a versatile dual-purpose performer, was making it four wins.
The six-furlong claimer was a hotbed of activity in the aftermath of the 7/2 joint-favourite Billyfairplay’s second course success. The Johnny Feane-trained gelding did well to come from well back approaching the straight to edge out Tony The Gent by a neck.
Ben Coen was on board the Dundalk Bay Sea Foods-owned six-year-old who claimed for €8,000 to join the runner-up’s trainer Denis Hogan.
Gavin Cromwell picked up the third placed Crystal Dawn for €3,000 and John McConnell gave €4,000 for the eighth-placed Hypnotic Force.
Major Power star of winter campaign
A REVELATORY winter campaign for Major Power took yet another turn for the better as the Eddie Lynam-owned and -trained gelding made it three wins in succession in the seven-furlong handicap.
Half an hour after landing the evening’s feature, Shane Crosse took the mount on the much improved five-year-old who looked to have this race sewn up early in the straight before lasting home by a head from Togoville.
The 5/1 joint-favourite was winning his fourth race of the winter season and was doing so off an 18lb higher mark than when first successful. Major Power will return to Dundalk next month for the Winter Series Awards Day.
Another horse with a great affinity for the Polytrack is Richard O’Brien’s Cautious Approach (16/1) who notched up her fourth win at this course in the mile and a half handicap. The useful five-year-old pounced inside the last furlong for Donagh O’Connor to score by half a length from Pak Army whose rider, Robbie Colgan, picked up a one-day ban.