THE efforts of the Carlow Farmers committee to ensure racing went ahead at Borris House were rewarded with nine races and some very exciting performances as Rob James stole the riding honours once again with a four-timer, putting him on the 15-winner mark for the season.

The four-year-old geldings’ maiden at the Carlow venue has a habit of turning up a good horse and in division two, the name Welcom to Cartries (7/2 - 4/5 favourite) went into the notebook of many a judge as the next potential star from this venue.

An €80,000 Tattersalls Ireland Derby sale store purchase, the good-looking son of No Risk At All created a lasting impression.

Travelling smoothly, he led entering the straight and quickened clear approaching two out to score impressively by 16 lengths from Ideal Du Tabert and Dream Jet.

The Derek O’Connor-ridden Karuma Grey had shadowed the winner’s every move and was about to challenge when falling at the second last, but James still hadn’t asked Welcom to Cartries any questions.

Admiration

Donnchadh Doyle couldn’t hide his admiration for his charge as he stated: “I am mad about him. He is very smart. He has the pedigree and does everything lovely. He is a good horse.”

The next time we see him he is unlikely to be sporting the Monbeg Syndicate colours as he is set to be sold.

The Monbeg Syndicate, Donnchadh Doyle and Rob James combination has been is red-hot form in recent weeks and they also took the opening division with Iorangi De L’Isle (6/4 favourite) who had too much firepower for Doonbeg Don and Chasing Chances to score by five lengths.

The Lauro gelding, making his second points appearance having fallen on his debut at Loughanmore, led before two out and despite signs of greenness, was driven clear by James.

“He had a good first run, and he was as green as grass. He is a nice horse and its sales next,” reported Doyle.

James had kicked off his winners in division two of the four-year-old mares’ maiden. The Rachel O’Neill-owned and John ‘Shark’ Hanlon-trained newcomer Miss Oreo (7/1 - 8/1) had finished second to Jetaway To Getaway but got the race in the stewards’ room as Jetaway To Getaway was disqualified when her rider failed to weigh in.

Strong tempo

The hooded daughter of Clovis De Berlais was making her debut here and made the running at a strong tempo to the second last. Shark Hanlon reported that she will be sold now before adding: “She is very well-bred and to be fair they pulled a long way clear of the third horse, and the other filly [Jetaway to Getaway] has loads of experience.”

The James four-timer was completed in division one of the five-year-old geldings’ maiden aboard Colin Bowe’s Clody Flyer (4/1) as he had the measure of Grass’s Jet.

Unlucky on his previous start, Brendan Murphy’s gelding gained compensation here, leading at the last before being driven clear. “He was running well in Lingstown when he got stopped,” explained Bowe. “He had the form to do that and he’s genuine.”

Bishop steps up to the mark

ASK THE Bishop (10/1) stayed on best of all to score in division two of the five-year-old geldings’ maiden under John Barry.

Trained by Michael Butler for owner Anthony Coughlan, the Ask gelding had a few previous runs but put his best foot forward here as he led from before two out to beat Forest Breeze.

“He did it well and the cheekpieces helped. The owner might sell him if there was any money for him,” said Butler with a smile.

The older maiden saw another horse get their deserved winning turn.

The Liam Kenny-owned and -trained and Luke Murphy-ridden Gray Rock (6/4 - 1/1 favourite) had finished second on his three starts this season and made no mistake here as he went to the front before the last to score from Focus Point by five lengths.

Patience

The six-year-old son of Rail Link rewarded his handler’s patience. Kenny noted: “I had him running as a four-year-old, but he hurt his back a bit. We gave him plenty of time and he has been very good since. He will run in a winners’ race now.”

The opening division of the four-year-old mares’ maiden went to newcomer Sanda Rena (2/1 - 3/1), owned by Gearoid Doyle and trained by his brother Sean.

The daughter of Getaway, a €13,500 store purchase showed a good attitude to beat Mighty Duchess by two lengths. Under Liam Gilligan, she struck the front two out and was always in command from that point.

“She will be sold now. I really like this filly; she is going to have a big future on the track,” remarked the winning owner.

Easy does it for Brain Power

THE novice riders’ open is always hotly contested at this venue and 12 went to post, but it was Brain Power (4/6 favourite) who recorded a facile victory here to register his third win of the campaign.

A high-class former track performer, he travelled and jumped to win as he pleased by seven lengths from Hardline with Is A Real Champ back in third.

Owned and trained by Warren Ewing and partnered by regular pilot Dara McGill, they have one eye on Aintree as Ewing stated: “Dara [McGill] said that it was only a piece of work for him, he never came off the bridle. He still has that big engine. I got my hunter chase licence for him so Liverpool or maybe Cheltenham will be the main aim.”

The five-year-old mares’ maiden saw the ultra-consistent Killybegs Jet Lady (2/1 joint-favourite) break her maiden tag in style.

The daughter of Jet Away, who had been placed on all of her starts, romped home by 18 lengths from Stopherandgo in the hands of Jack Hendrick, giving him his 40th career win.

Owned by George Murphy and trained by Robert Tector, plans are fluid for the filly. “We will see what the owner wants to do. She is a good consistent mare and that is the first time she got her ground,” remarked Tector having registered his first winner of the season.

Big John Wayne (C. Bowe): This imposing son of Shantou was in the process of running a fine race when falling two-out behind Iorangi De L’Isle. Holding every chance at the time, he is one for the shortlist.