MALLOW, Co Cork-native Donal O’Connor will forever cherish fond memories of last Sunday’s South Westmeath Hunt fixture held at Umma House, at which he enjoyed his first success in the saddle.

On his first ride in public, 17-year-old O’Connor got his career off to a dream start in the four-runner novice riders open lightweight, as his employer Harley Dunne’s Brooksway Fair (4/1 - 5/1) sprang a major surprise on his first run between the flags since 2018.

A Ffos Las novice handicap chase winner last November for Evan Williams, the son of Mahler was bounced into a substantial lead by O’Connor from an early juncture and travelling powerfully throughout, only needed to be kept up to his work late on to inflict a six-length defeat on recent Moira winner Brain Power.

“I can’t really believe it to be honest. The horse jumped and travelled everywhere for me and made my job really easy,” reflected O’Connor.

“I started with Eugene O’Sullivan when I was younger but I’m full-time with Harley now. I’m very grateful to him for giving me a chance like that today. The plan is to keep the head down now, work hard and pick up as many rides as possible.”

Talented

Jonathan Fogarty introduced a talented sort in the form of Down Memory Lane (2/1 - 5/2 co-favourite) who made an impressive winning debut in the four-year-old geldings’ maiden.

The physically imposing Down Memory Lane, acquired last year for €75,000, was moved into the lead by Derek O’Connor on touching down two out before going clear in noteworthy style to account for the always prominent Fever Dream by nine and a half lengths.

“This is a really nice horse that we bought from Jimmy Murphy’s Redpender Stud. We’ve always held him in high regard and he’s an exciting one going forward. He’ll be sold now,” remarked the winning handler of the Gaynestown Stud Partnership’s son of Walk In The Park.

Out of luck with Fever Dream, Donnchadh Doyle had earlier been on the scoresheet when his newcomer Omaha Wish (2/1 - 4/1) claimed the opening four-year-old mares’ maiden in good style.

Moved into contention at an early stage on the final circuit by Rob James, the daughter of Night Wish quickened best in the home straight when seeing off a host of challengers from the second-last, most notably Friars Island Lady who was only a neck adrift of the Monbeg Syndicate-owned victor at the line.

It’s now likely that Omaha Wish, purchased as a yearling in France by her handler, will be seen in new colours.

THE Sam Curling-trained Kalnoo (1/2 - 4/7 favourite) obliged in the style expected of a short-priced favourite in the five-year-old and upwards mares’ maiden.

Making amends for an unfortunate disqualification at Toomebridge on the opening day of the season, the daughter of Kalanisi was once again partnered by Pa King and the duo found themselves at the head of affairs when Sweet Sonnet exited at the 10th fence.

From here, it was all plain sailing for the Pat Moore-bred and owned Kalnoo who kept up a relentless gallop to score by 41 lengths from When And Where.

“That’s great for Pat after the last day. This mare loves the top of the ground so we might leave her off now and head to the track next summer then,” observed Curling.

Yet another favourite obliged in the five and six-year-old geldings’ maiden as Lisnamult Lad (4/1 - 5/2 favourite) justified some good market support to provide the absent Adrian Murray with success.

Edged to the head of affairs by Declan Lavery after sweeping round the final bend, the Court Cave-sired debutant finished out his race to great effect when stretching right away in the closing stages to account for last season’s Lingstown-third From The Clouds by six lengths.

Murray shares the winner with Aidan Fagan, with the latter remarking: “We’re over the moon with that. Adrian bought him as a yearling and he’s brought him along steadily since then.

“We’ve enjoyed success together with the likes of Bardenstown Lad previously so it’s great to repeat the trick again today.”

TWO of the four entrants faced the starter in the closing adjacent hunt winners’ race however the old adage of ‘it only takes two horses to make a race’ rang true as the pair served up an exciting finale to the day’s proceedings.

Cappajune Lady (1/4 - 1/3 favourite), sporting the silks of Mark Davies, was joined by the Gilligan family’s Lincoln Burrows at the last, but it was the former, ridden by Thomas Geogeghan who fared best on the flat to repel to the persistent effort of the runner-up by a length and a quarter.

The now three-time winning daughter of Kalanisi is handled in Moyvore, Co Westmeath by Heather Kiernan, who remarked: “We’re thrilled with that. Tommy [Geoghegan] knows her inside-out and was super on her again today. She’s a joy to train as she’s so consistent. We might look at a mares’ open now.”

Horse To Follow

FROM THE CLOUDS (D. Doyle) This No Risk At All-sired five-year-old posted a career best effort on his third start when, despite suffering interference on the final circuit, following home Lisnamult Lad in the five- and six-year-old geldings maiden. This chasing type can show the benefit of this run and go one better next time out.