THE Longford Harriers hosted their point-to-point on Sunday at the new venue of Daramona House, featuring a mile-long galloping track with five fences per circuit.

Promising sire Crystal Ocean added to his tally in the point field, following the successful sale of his first point-to-point winner, Cristal D’Estruval, who fetched £400,000 at the Tattersalls Cheltenham Festival Sale.

Green Hint (3/1) represented the ‘Double Green’ ownership of Simon Munir and Isaac Souede, who acquired him for €50,000 at the 2024 Goffs Arkle Sale.

The debutant four-year-old travelled professionally in mid-division. He quickened again approaching the final obstacle, asserting his authority over his rivals to win by two and a half lengths, beating Dig Deep for handler Ross Crawford.

Winning jockey Stephen Connor remarked: “It’s tough out there for four-year-olds, the ground is very sticky. But I knew as I was turning into the second last, I was back on the bridle.

“He winged the second last, and then I was left in front down to the last. He was a bit green about it, but once I gave him a tap, he picked up again smartly.”

The second four-year-old contest of the day saw six runners head to post, all of whom had been purchased for €25,000 or less at public auction as unraced three-year-olds.

Taking the lead

As the flag dropped, there was a brief pause, as none of the field seemed eager to take up the running. Eventually, the Wings Of Eagles-sired newcomer, Tip Of The Wings (3/1 - 4/1), in the colours of William Bates, took up the lead and never saw another rival from that point onward.

Jumping with great efficiency on debut, the €4,000 Tattersalls July sale acquisition asserted himself smartly into the straight, going on to score by four lengths from Raise You Up, who shared the same sire as his conqueror.

“He won that really well,” commented champion rider Barry O’Neill of the Johnny Berry-handled victor. “He did it the hard way, going out in front for the first time on a big track, it’s not easy for a four-year-old first time out. But he picked up smartly down to the last and he will now head to the sales.”

THE five-year-old maiden featured the largest field of the day, with 11 runners heading to post. Only 14 obstacles were jumped in this contest, as the final fence was omitted after the favourite Newbrook Diamond running out at that obstacle on the previous circuit.

This incident changed the complexion of the race and led to a long run-in. Ubatuba (6/4-2/1), a Paul Pierce-trained son of Soldier Of Fortune, made amends for a previous unseating at Dromahane.

Positioned towards the rear by Sean Staples, he made steady progress on the second circuit, took the lead from two out, and quickened impressively into the straight to win by one and a half lengths, holding off Keep On Dreaming for the Blackhall Stables Partnership. Out of a half-sister to dual Grade 2 winner Gidleigh Park, Ubatuba looks to have a promising future ahead.

The in-form Ross O’Sullivan stable unleashed the smart newcomer Dora D’Or (6/4 - 5/2 joint-favourite) to land the mares’ maiden for owner Jameina Scarisbrick. Six mares headed to post, with two of the newcomers finishing in the top two.

The victorious daughter of Golden Lariat was always positioned towards the rear of the field by Lee Shanahan. Jumping confidently throughout, she made her move on the run to the final obstacle and stayed on stoutly to beat Miss Bumblebee by one and a half lengths.

Winning handler Ross O’Sullivan commented: “She’s a filly with a lovely pedigree. She had some experience under her belt last term, but just didn’t get running, so we gave her a good break and brought her back in.

“She’s a big filly, and all the time off has stood to her well, so we’ve reaped the rewards of patience. She will probably head to a winners’ race and possibly a mares’ hunters chase next.”

BLUEYS Unicorse (evens - 6/4 favourite) brought up a double on the day for Barry O’Neill, justifying favouritism on his first start for David Christie in the older geldings’ maiden.

Having finished second on debut at Dromahane in November, the Ramillies and Christie Family Syndicate son of Malinas took a step forward for that initial effort here.

He travelled comfortably in mid-division and, despite a blunder at five out, quickly got back into contention, quickening readily into the straight to beat Man Of The House (4/1) by six lengths in convincing fashion.

Christie commented on the quirky winner: “We’re delighted; we’ve thought a lot of him for a while, but he’s just very immature in his head. He’s never had a hood on in his life, but when he was messing about earlier, I decided to try a hood, and he was at his best then.

“He has a lot of class, but he’s out of a Roselier dam, and he reminds me of a good horse I had once called, Bluefire, who was also by Roselier. There’s so much improvement in him, so we’ll keep him pointing and, if everything goes to plan, we’ll aim for a maiden hunters chase.’

Bestaline (5/1 - 6/1) and Kevin Healy meant business from the drop of the flag in the mares’ open. Despite only four mares heading to post, Bestaline set strong fractions throughout, building up a 10-length lead before the first obstacle.

Healy gave the impressive mare a breather six out, before kicking on again on the final circuit.

Although she was reeled in on the run to the line by eventual runner-up The Great Unknown (4/5-6/4 joint-favourite), this tough Simon Cavanagh-owned and trained mare showed great determination, quickening again to win by one and three-quarter lengths.

Horse to Follow

Dig Deep (L. Kenny): a debutant son of Poet’s Word, he put in a smart performance from the front, jumping and travelling with great professionalism. With natural progression, he should prove hard to beat next time.