IT was a great day for Michael McGuane in Castleisland last Sunday as the Kilkea, Castledermot, Co. Kildare rider landed a first career treble and was crowned leading jockey.
Daniel King and Philip Byrnes were other riders in fine form as they both completed doubles on the day.
Michael kicked off his day with victory in the 15hh race where On The Edge came home three lengths ahead of Farmer Boyce. The Alex Hamilton-owned bay went to the front on the downhill run with three furlongs to go and ran on strongly all the way to the line.
Follow A Dream, now under the care of Maurice Ahern returned to his very best form with an impressive win in the first split of the mile contest.
The winner travelled ominously well all the way and the result was never in doubt once he went for home with about three furlongs to travel. Man Of Steel stayed-on to take second spot.
The McGuane treble was completed in the 12-furlong consolation race when Non Positive bounced out and made every step of the running to hold off the late charge of Morgan Spice by a neck.
FINE START
Daniel King has enjoyed a fine start to the campaign and he initiated a double when Tell The Story made most to win the 14hh race for Buttevant, Co. Cork owner Bob Sexton.
Hello Star who previously dominated the 13.2hh class tried hard to close in the last quarter-mile but never looked like getting to the winner. King completed his double in tremendous style when Cowboy Kobay Ashi landed the second division of the mile race, fairly flying up the hill in fine style to catch longtime leader See The Dream and win for the Dunmanway Castle Racing.
Philip Byrnes created a big impression last year in his first season riding and he continued his upward curve as he recorded a double.
Ballybrown Boy rattled off the fast ground and he could be called the winner a long ways from home in the 12-furlong race as he eventually ran out a five-length victor, with Storm Force keeping on well for second place.
Make Me completed the Byrnes double in the featured ROL Derby when hitting the front before the furlong pole and running out a very snug winner over longtime leader Irish Rebel.
The Finnerty family made the long trek down from Roscommon and their stable stalwart Omega didn’t disappoint when destroying the opposition in the 10-furlong maiden contest under Danny Gilligan.
Racing opened with a surprise in the 12.2hh race when Biscuit finally shed his maiden status after many years of near misses. Luke Burke Ott had the winner in front from half-way and ran on strongly to see off Another Tiger.
The Curly Syndicate and Connor Walsh ended a rather frustrating day on a winning note when Hello Thunder made all to land the 13.2hh race from Sore Looser.
Mikey Sheehy made a welcome return from injury to score a bloodless victory on Pacman in the 10-furlong 14.2hh race. Never out of second gear, Pacman led from four furlongs out to see off the chasing pack, which was led home by The Low Road.
Midlands- The region race on Carrownisky Strand, Louisburgh, Co. Mayo tomorrow Sunday.
Southern- The region race at a new venue tomorrow, Sunday, as they visit Castlegregory Strand with an 11am start.
SUNDAY JUNE 10TH
12.2HH Race (7F): 1, E. Finn’s BISCUIT (Luke Burke Ott); 2, Curly Syndicate’s ANOTHER TIGER (Connor Walsh); 3, C. Verling’s HERE COMES THE PAIN (Patrick Verling).
13.2HH Race (10F): 1, P. A. O’Sullivan’s HELLO THUNDER (Connor Walsh); 2, J. O’Sullivan’s SORE LOOSER (Michael McGuane); 3, W. McGrath’s LITTLE MAXI (Danny Gilligan).
14HH Race (1M): 1, B. Sexton’s TELL THE STORY (Daniel King); 2, Curly Syndicate’s HELLO STAR (Connor Walsh); 3, V. Moriarty’s OBI ONE KONOBI (Danny Gilligan).
14.2HH Race (12F): 1, M. Ahern’s PACMAN (Mikey Sheehy); 2, Last Minute Syndicate’s THE LOW ROAD (Danny Gilligan); 3, Curly Syndicate’s SANDYCOVE (Connor Walsh).
15HH Race (10F) : 1, A. Hamilton’s ON THE EDGE (Michael McGuane); 2, Three County Syndicate’s FARMER BOYCE (Philip Byrnes); 3, E. Hayes AMY’S MAGIC (Jack Gilligan).
Open Horse Race (1M) Div. 1: 1, M. Ahern’s FOLLOW A DREAM (Michael McGuane); 2, B. Maher’s MAN OF STEEL (Mikey Sheehy); 3, A. Ott’s I’M ON A MISSION (Andy Burke Ott).
Open Horse Race (1M) Div. 2: 1, Castle Racing’s COWBOY KOBAY ASHI (Daniel King); 2, Are You Well Syndicate’s SEE THE DREAM (Brian Dunleavy); 3, P. Rabbitte’s OUR SOULS (Conor Rabbitte).
Open Horse Race (12F): 1, Deelview Racing’s BALLYBROWN BOY (Daniel King); 2, T. Fennelly’s STROM FORCE (Danny Gilligan); 3, C. Byrnes BASH IT ON (Philip Byrnes).
KOL Island Derby (2M): 1, C. Byrnes MAKE ME (Philip Byrnes); 2, Curly Syndicate’s IRISH REBEL (Michael McGuane); 3, J. J. Bailey’s CHASING A DREAM (Jake Coen).
Maiden Horse Race (10F): 1, Finnerty Families OMEGA (Danny Gilligan); 2, B. Maher’s SANDRA’S LITTLE SECRET (Mikey Sheehy); 3, D. Cahill’s HILL VIEW GIRL (Dean Broderick).
Consolation Race (12F: 1, B. O’Sullivan’s NON POSITIVE (Michael McGuane); 2, M. Ahern’s MORGAN’S SPICE (Mikey Sheehy); 3, G. Murphy’s MY LAST FAREWELL (L. Boardman).