CON O’Keeffe had an evening to remember at Tramore on Monday, as his runners filled the first two places in the Play Colossus Football Pools At thetote.com Maiden Hurdle. Kilbarry Cushty led home well-backed stablemate Nicaragua (14s in the morning and 6s to 5s on-course) in this two-mile heat, with Barry John Foley partnering the 20/1 victor.
O’Keeffe, who trains locally at Kilbarry Lodge Stud, saddled his first winner at Tramore last June, and was recording just his third success with this daughter of Classic Cliche.
Settled behind the leaders, the successful bay took closer order on the final circuit and ranged alongside the front-running Nicaragua before two out.
The duo had a good scrap from the last, with Kilbarry Cushty coming out on top by a length.
“I bred the winner and we have the sire and dam so it’s wonderful,” O’Keeffe divulged. “I’m delighted for my wife Claire and Tadhg O’Sullivan (winning owners). We’ll celebrate tonight and go forward from there.”
Andrew Slattery was also returning to the scene of his first training success as his Dimple took the Follow @thetotecom On Twitter Hunters Chase.
Slattery recorded his maiden triumph in this very race 20 years ago, with Shaws Cross prevailing under Paul Moloney.
Dimple, who won three point-to-points already this season, was sent off the 9/10 favourite here after the defection of early morning favourite Jammin Masters (change in going).
The French-bred grey was settled behind the leaders early on by 17-year-old Liam Quinlan (second track success), before he improved to the front from the eighth.
He was pressed from two out, but found plenty when pushed out from the last, going on to succeed by four and three-quarter lengths for owner Dave Armstrong.
“I was worried because he is only riding out five weeks, he got a wind operation after Limerick,” Slattery revealed. “He just choked on the heavy ground at Limerick and pulled up, so we decided to get his wind done.
“I don’t know what the plans are with him now. He will definitely improve from today.”
Presenting Julio (9/4) was the only other winning favourite on the card, as he claimed the Win Big With Tote Handicap Chase.
Third on his first start for Gordon Elliott at Downpatrick last month, the son of Presenting went a couple of places better here in the colours of owner Danny Charlesworth.
Settled behind the leaders, he travelled strongly before two out and soon led, keeping on well under pressure from there, going on to oblige by six lengths under Jamie Codd.
The success moved Codd level with Patrick Mullins (34 winners each) in the race to be crowned champion qualified rider for the season.
Both Mullins and Codd were in action in the concluding Bet With Tote Flat Race, but neither of their mounts could cope with impressive winner Fort Montagu.
Pulled-up in a point-to-point on his sole start for Ross O’Sullivan, the French-bred gelding was making his debut here for owner/trainer John Nicholson.
He was backed from 20s to 16s on-course, and made all, keeping on well under pressure from over a furlong out, going on to register a two and a quarter-length success under Finian Maguire.
LUCKY TRACK
The winning handler later stated: “This is a lucky track for me, and Finny has been lucky for me.
“He is a good ground horse and he’d gallop for Ireland. I only have him a month. I got him from Ross O’Sullivan and he had done plenty of work with him.
“If the ground is good he’ll run in a winners’ bumper at Punchestown.”
Prince Garyantle was also having his first start for a new yard, as he blitzed his rivals in first time cheek-pieces in the Join thetote.com For Up To €100 Bonus Handicap Hurdle.
Previously trained by David Broad, the seven-year-old gelding was making his debut for Matthew Smith in this two-mile, five-furlong contest, and he was sent off at 10/1 (from 12s) under Andrew Lynch.
Prominent in the early stages, he improved to lead after the second. He extended his advantage from three out, and kept up the gallop from there to home, going on to score easily by 10 lengths.
Smith said afterwards: “I have him a month or so, he came to me in good shape. He was working well at home, but I didn’t know what to expect. He was impressive there.
“I’m delighted for his owners (the Home & Dry Syndicate). I have no plan for him now, we’ll see.”
Icelip was another double-figure-priced winner as he provided David O’Brien with his second success in as many days in the Win Big With Tote Jackpot Races 3-6 Handicap Hurdle.
Settled in rear by Sean Flanagan, the 14/1 chance took closer order from three out and came with his effort on the outer between the last two flights.
He was ridden to the front before the final obstacle and kept on well on the run-in, going on to score by three-quarters of a length.
O’Brien, whose four winners this season have all come at Tramore, said afterwards: “That’s his third win here. It’s great for John ‘Bubbles’ Grant (of the Fastey For Fun Syndicate) who had his 90th birthday party on Friday.
“He will be kept to local tracks now, he is a great fun horse and Sean gave him a great ride.”
Balinaboola, who won at Wexford on Friday, was sent off the well-backed 7/4 favourite (from 11/4) but he unfortunately suffered a fatal injury when crashing out at the first.
RUSSELL SCORES
The opening race on the programme, the Win Big With Tote Pick 6 Maiden Hurdle, went the way of Rodger Sweeney’s Ineffable, with Davy Russell in the plate.
A dual winner on the level for Aidan O’Brien, he was claimed by owners RMD Cleaning Services Limited for €6,000 at Dundalk in February.
Sent off at 7/1 here, he raced mainly in second. He came through to lead from two out, and stayed on well under pressure from there, going on to land the spoils by a length and a half.
Sweeney later remarked: “I thought he’d run well. He will win no Derby but he is a fun horse for the summer. He would like nice ground and the ground turned right for him today.”
ACTING STEWARDS
W. Halley, E. Halley, N. Lambert, N. McGrath, P.D Matthews.
HORSE TO FOLLOW
CHARLE BRUNE (T. Shanahan) There should be more to come from this four-year-old gelding who ran a fine race to finish third on his handicap debut.