THE final day of the two-day Ormond Foxhounds fixture at Ballingarry will live long in the memory of 19-year-old Josh Younge as he partnered his first winner aboard Spy Lady (6/1 -4/1 joint-favourite) in the six-year-old mares’ maiden.

The Mary Kelly-owned Spy Lady was sent to the front by Younge after four fences and, despite the persistent threat of both Chitchat Sally and Jolie Cosmos, the Michelle Gannon-handled daughter of Shirocco, who was returning from a 568-day absence, found most late on to open her account at the second time of asking.

“It’s great to get my first winner, especially as Mary is the partner of my first cousin, Eddie Power,” said a delighted Younge. “The pair of them have been very good to me. I’m with John Ryan full time and I also ride out for Shane Duffy in the afternoons. They are two great men to work for. Hopefully it’s onwards and upwards from here.”

The Rosemary Connors-handled Woodfield Symphony (5/1 - 5/2 joint-favourite) was another who successfully made light of a lay-off when claiming the concluding seven-year-old and upwards maiden.

Barry Stone, who incidentally lost his right to claim after this success, made every post a winning one aboard the daughter of Mahler and, with the challenging Village Arms falling at the last, the Henry Carey-owned Woodfield Symphony ultimately came home four lengths ahead of Stellar Symphony.

Woodstown, Co Waterford-located Connors stated of her winner, who had been off the track since finishing second in the same contest 12 months ago: “That’s great as she’s owned by my partner Henry. She’s had a few little niggles along the way but she really enjoys that bit of better ground. We might run her on the track next.”

Dunshaughlin, Co Meath-pilot Georgie Benson is enjoying her best season and she maintained her rich vein of form as Billy Codd’s Special Prep (2/5 - 1/1 favourite) obliged in the ladies open. Benson, partnering her fourth winner of the season, was always to the fore aboard the former three-time track scorer in Britain and the pair saw off the attentions of Dubai Dandy before the last to win by a widening four lengths.

“We’re thrilled with that. He had been owned by a family-friend, Eric Elliott, who had him in training with Pauline Robson in England and he was a grand servant for them, winning three times. We’ll enjoy today before making any further plans,” observed Codd of Special Prep who was making a quick reappearance, having competed in open company for the first time at Punchestown the previous Saturday.

CORMAC Doyle introduced a promising type in Wrestlingwithrae (3/1 - 4/1) who created a favourable impression in the four-year-old geldings’ maiden.

The Monbeg Farm Racing Partnership-owned son of Snow Sky moved to the front under Luke Murphy after jumping the eighth obstacle and despite running notably green in the latter stages still had enough in reserve to account for fellow debutant Roger Pol by a length and a half.

“This is a nice horse. We haven’t done a whole lot with him which is why he was so green, but anything we’ve done, he’s done it well. He’s plenty of gears and should have a nice future,” disclosed Doyle of his inmate who was sold at Thursday’s Tattersalls May NH Sale for 180,000gns.

Tasted victory

Draperstown, Co Derry handler Noel Kelly was on the mark in the six-year-old geldings’ maiden as the Temple Racing Partnership-owned Wee Rupert (5/2 - 6/4 favourite) tasted victory on his third start between the flags.

Fellow market-principal Eveningofsummer had made the best of his way home from two out and still held a five-length advantage at the last. However, Jason O’Reilly’s charge met it all wrong.

In spite of an excellent sit from Brian Dunleavy, the mistake paved the way for the Oran McGill-ridden Wee Rupert to capitalise and register a three-length triumph from Gouazec.

“This is a lovely horse that came out of Nick Gifford’s last May. I’m delighted for the lads who own him as it’s their first winner. The horse is coming along nicely all the time. We’ll head to the track now, I’d say,” reflected Kelly.

CLONMEL, Co Tipperary-trainer Liam Casey has his string in fine form and he equalled his best seasonal tally when sending out Rule Of June (6/1 - 5/1) to take the spoils in the six-runner winners-of-three for novice riders.

Owned by the winning handler’s father Donal, the Rule Of Law-sired bay responded well to Alex Harvey’s urgings in the closing stages to carry the day by a diminishing half a length from a battling Fiery Brown.

Tough and game

“This mare is as tough and game as they come, she always gives her all. It’s great to get another win with her. She has a mark over hurdles so we might keep her on the go over the summer now. We could also look at Tralee next weekend for her too, though,” stated Casey, who for good measure also bred last month’s Ballyknock-maiden winner Rule Of June.

Horse To Follow

Fiery Brown (C. W. Fennessy) This daughter of Robin Des Champs went out on her shield when going down narrowly in the winner-of-three contest won by Rule Of June. This most consistent sort should, without too much difficulty, deservedly get her head in front again next season.

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Following two winners on the opening day of the fixture, James Hannon was crowned leading rider at the Ormond Foxhounds meeting. With the Tallow, Co Waterford-pilot on duty in Inchydoney on Sunday, Hannon will be presented with the Robert C.D. Kenny Memorial Trophy at tomorrow’s North Kerry Harriers meeting in Ballybeggan Park.