THERE was some quality fare on offer at last Sunday’s well-attended Stonehall Harriers meeting at Cragmore as racing returned to the lands of John Costello for the first time since February 2020.

Last season’s Cheltenham Foxhunters runner-up Winged Leader (2/5 - 1/2 favourite) was the star turn at the fixture when making a winning seasonal debut in the featured open lightweight.

Completing a double for Barry O’Neill, David Christie’s charge was always in the front rank before his good reserves of stamina came into play in the home straight and this allowed him to carry the day by a length and a half from fellow northern raider Le Malin.

“He got a knock some time back and we weren’t sure if he’d make it out at all this season but thankfully we’ve got here. I’m delighted, as he can often struggle first time out.

“The upcoming hunter chase at Naas is a possibility and we’ll make a decision about his spring targets after that,” outlined David Christie of John Hegarty and Jennifer O’Kane’s nine-year-old.

Brace

The Colin Bowe-handled Workahead (5/2 - 4/1) had earlier initiated the O’Neill brace when taking the five-year-old geldings’ maiden in impressive fashion.

The Sean Kinsella-owned Workforce gelding only had fellow first-timer Nas Na Riogh for company from before two out. With Adam Feeney’s mount departing there, Workahead, a half-brother to the previous day’s Fairyhouse winner Bronn, asserted shortly after that obstacle on his way to an eight-length triumph.

“This is a smashing horse that I bought as a foal. He’s really strengthened up into himself since last summer. He’ll be sold now,” outlined winning owner Kinsella who stands his winner’s sire Workforce at his Knockhouse Stud.

First success

The Ennis, Co Clare, native Evan Nugent will cherish fond memories of the fixture as he registered his first success in the saddle aboard his boss Derek O’Connor’s Now Is The Hour (5/2 - 4/1) in the six-year-old and upwards geldings’ maiden.

Acquired for €30,000 as a three-year-old, the Westerner newcomer was still travelling smoothly when edging ahead early in the straight and he takingly strode clear after two from home to account for Hemicycle by some 30 lengths.

“I can’t believe it, really. I’ve had a few seconds but it’s great to make the breakthrough. I can’t thank Derek and his brother Paurick enough, they’ve been extremely good to me. You couldn’t learn from better,” reflected 20-year-old Nugent who was sporting the silks of the successful handler’s wife Carol O’Donnell.

“Hopefully I can pick up further experience in point-to-points and keep learning from Derek and Paurick going forward.”

IAN McCarthy’s Redzy Rocco (1/1 - 6/4 favourite) obliged in the opening five-year-old mares’ maiden.

Fresh from an excellent third when beaten only a neck by Mark O’Hare’s Spindleberry in Dromahane late last month, Audrey Stynes’ home-bred looked the most likely victor at all stages of the eight-runner contest.

Produced to lead after three out by James Hannon, the daughter of Shirocco overcame a final fence error and finished with five lengths to spare over Jalisco Star.

“This is a good filly, she’s as tough as anything and, like the last day, she was doing all her best work at the finish today. I’m delighted for the Stynes family who aren’t far from my base in Kildangan,” said McCarthy.

Rich form

The INHSC bonus-enhanced six-year-old and upwards mares’ maiden saw Athea, Co Limerick handler Eoin McCarthy continue his rich vein of form as Ma Hoey (4/1 - 5/1) scored on her third career start.

The Sean Maguire-owned six-year-old was building on a couple of encouraging placed runs and she was always travelling well in midfield under Brian Lawless.

The daughter Mahler found another gear after the penultimate fence and ultimately defeated No Pains No Gains by eight lengths.

Nicer ground

“The mare enjoyed that nicer ground today. She missed the third-last in Ballindenisk last time out which ended her chance. We’ll aim for a winners’ race now,” stated McCarthy of Ma Hoey who, prior to commencing her racing career, produced a colt foal by Vadamos in April 2021.

THE decision of Johnstown, Co Kilkenny, handler Donal Barry to step his recent Aghabullogue maiden winner Indian Louis (5/2 - 7/2) into winners’ company was rewarded as the Sean Connors-owned five-year-old continued his upward trajectory in the winners of one.

Pa King, deputising for James Hannon, who was sidelined from an earlier fall, made every post a winning one aboard the Mahler gelding who answered his every call in the closing stages to see off Nice To Meet by two and a half lengths.

“He won well last time and was very good again today. He has plenty of ability and a great attitude too. I’d say Sean will probably sell him now,” disclosed Barry.

Nas Na Riogh (J.J. Murphy): Supported into favouritism in the five-year-old geldings’ maiden, this sweet-travelling Walk In The Park-sired newcomer was upsides eventual winner Workahead when falling two out.

Clearly talented, he should easily make amends in the coming weeks before graduating to the track.