THE Emmet Mullins-handled and owned Its On The Line (4/5 - 1/1 joint-favourite) is on course for a tilt at the St. James’s Place Festival Hunters Chase at Cheltenham following a cosy triumph in the feature open lightweight at last Sunday’s Clonmel Harriers meeting held at Turtulla.

Edging his rider Derek O’Connor closer to another landmark in his illustrious career, when providing him with his 1299th winner between the flags, last season’s dual hunter chase scorer Its On The Line moved through to tackle long-time leader Dashing Perk before the third from home.

From here it was all plain sailing for the progressive six-year-old who had little difficulty in accounting for main market rival Lord Schnitzel by seven lengths.

“He’ll get plenty of confidence from that. It’s nice to get another win on the board with him.

“He’s a half-brother to Monbeg Dude so we’re hoping the extended three miles and two furlongs, and stiff finish, at Cheltenham will play to his strengths,” observed Mullins.

Derek at the double

Galwegian O’Connor had earlier initiated a double on the day when teaming up with his handler-brother Paurick to collect the five-year-old geldings’ maiden courtesy of Rockstown Native (the 2/1 favourite).

Owned by Rathmore Stud-supremo Peter Molony, the Califet gelding, who had finished an encouraging fourth at Kirkistown on his debut, put that experience to good use when making all the running on his way to a smart success. He displayed a nice turn of foot late on to withstand the effort of debutant Westerninthpark by a comfortable five lengths.

“It’s lovely to train a winner for Peter as he’s always been very good to us down through the years. We’ve always felt this horse was smart. He’s come on plenty from his first run and will come forward again plenty from today. He’ll head on to the Goffs UK January Sale now,” reflected the winning handler.

No stopping Sainte

Pat Doyle’s newcomer Sainte Baol (7/4 - 5/4 favourite) created a very favourable impression when running out a ready winner of the opening five-year-old mares’ maiden.

Sent to the head of the 10-runner field by Pa King at the halfway juncture, the sweet-jumping daughter of Saint Des Saints looked to be getting the better of the argument with closest pursuer Either Or when that rival exited three out, leaving the Mary Doyle-owned bay to stride clear and dismiss fellow first-timer Hollow Rodger by nine and a half-lengths.

“It’s always nice to get the job done first time out. She’s a fine, big mare who has always worked nicely at home,” outlined Doyle of his €115,000 graduate of the 2021 Tattersalls Ireland Derby Sale.

Third time lucky
for Dusty

THE Graiguenamanagh, Co Kilkenny handler Eamonn ‘Dusty’ Sheehy was on the mark as Benignitas (4/1 - 6/1) made the breakthrough on her third start in this sphere when upstaging some more fancied opponents in the six-year-old and upwards mares’ maiden.

Produced by Troy Walsh to tackle the front-running All Loved Up entering the home straight for the final time, the Joe Walsh-owned Fracas mare found plenty at the business end and ultimately defeated Liam Lennon’s All Loved Up by a widening five lengths.

“I’m thrilled to get another winner for Joe and his family as they’ve been great supporters of mine for a long time,” stated Sheehy. “This mare is dynamite to jump and had some good form in better races from the autumn. She’ll most likely be sold now.”

On a trying afternoon for the eight bookmakers present, the Philip Fenton-trained Bloomhill (9/4-5/2 favourite) sent favourite backers home on good terms with themselves when claiming the closing six-year-old and upwards geldings’ maiden.

Sporting the silks of Athlone, Co Westmeath owner Ann Derwin, the Eoin O’Brien-partnered son of Gamut overcame a final fence error en route to a three and a half-length victory over Forest Breeze.

“We were very hopeful coming here today. He’s a nice horse in the making and we’ll look for a maiden hurdle for him now,” reflected Fenton.

Magnussen in top form

TEMPLEMORE, Co Tipperary-trainer Maike Magnussen maintained her impressive 50% strike-rate for the season as Busty Boy (4/6 favourite) took advantage of what looked a good opportunity in the three-runner winners-of-one contest to credit her with a fourth winner of the season.

With Lowtown Boy departing at the 10th fence, Busty Boy, who shed his maiden tag at this venue in November, enjoyed a straightforward time of things when inflicting a comprehensive 24-length defeat on Lillys Girl.

Horse To Follow

Westerinthepark (S.T. Doyle) This towering son of Walk In The Park, who was acquired by his connections for €30,000 as a store, posted a most pleasing introductory effort when chasing home the more experienced Rockstown Native in the five-year-old geldings’ maiden. He can easily go one better before progressing to the track.

News+

COUNTY Wexford rider-handler Harley Dunne will likely be out of action for at least eight weeks after dislocating his shoulder in a third-last fence fall from Johnny Dogs in the concluding older geldings’ maiden.

County Tyrone rider Cormac Abernethy may also miss about four weeks after breaking his collarbone in a fall during the winners-of-one contest.