HEAVY rain in the hours prior to racing resulted in testing conditions for this Tipperary Foxhounds fixture, with many horses diverting to the Lisronagh circuit, after the cancellation of both Tinahely and Kildorrery.

With 16 declared, just one over the safety limit, the four-year-old geldings’ maiden was divided, with Colin Bowe and Barry O’Neill claiming both divisions.

The formidable pair struck first with Cristal D’estruval (5/2 - 4/1), an initial winner in the point-to-point ranks for Beeches Stud stallion Crystal Ocean.

Out of a dual listed winner over flights, this €67,000 Goffs Arkle graduate overcame late drama to prevail by a neck.

Headed by No Walkover on the approach to the final fence, he made a mistake there and was hampered by the market leader who jumped left.

Adam Ryan subsequently lost an iron on that Andy Slattery-trained bay, who continued to edge left on the run-in, surrendering his advantage in the final strides.

“He is a lovely horse and I was going to go to Tinahely with him, but we reverted here,” Bowe disclosed. “He’ll head on to the Cheltenham sales now.”

Also carrying the familiar Milestone Bloodstock Ltd. silks, Cooltobecareless (5/1 - 4/1) claimed the second divide.

Bought for just €6,000 at the Goffs Arkle Sale, this Maxios bay is from the family of 2013 St Leger hero Leading Light.

Kept on well

Despite a slight mistake two out, he was ridden to the front before the last and kept on well from there to hold off the game effort of the front running Hot To Go by a length.

“He was a cheap purchase and is a grand cheery horse. I thought the ground might be too heavy for him, but he got through it well,” Bowe remarked.

Brothers Sean and Darragh Allen have enjoyed a fruitful couple of days and after striking with Prophets Corner at Punchestown on Thursday, they tasted further success with Lonesome Boatman (7/4 - 6/4 favourite) in the open.

Making virtually all, the Jukebox Jury nine-year-old increased his advantage from three out and went further clear before the last, eventually easing to an eight-length win.

“It’s been a great week,” Allen, who trains the winner for Patrick O’Leary, reflected.

“The fall in Clonmel set us back for a bit and he is after taking a couple of runs to get back to himself.

“He looked very much back to himself today and I don’t know what we’ll do with him now.”

MICK Goff’s decision to let Clondaw Park (4/1) take her chance in the opening four-year-old mares’ maiden of the season was rewarded, as she powered to an impressive eight-length success.

Ridden by his son Harry, this well-bred Walk In The Park bay made all and jumped well throughout.Out of a half-sister to eight-time Grade 1 winner Nichols Canyon, she readily increased her advantage from the second last and proved far superior to her 12 rivals.

“It was a flick of a coin whether I was going to run her or not,” Goff revealed.

“Gary [Adams] bred her and owns her with me. She is a very, very good mare and was foot-perfect today.

“She has a very good pedigree, so she’ll be top drawer wherever she goes.”

Favourite wins

Another field of 12 faced the starter in the five and six-year-old mares’ maiden, with First Candidate (5/2 – 7/4 favourite) ultimately coming out on top.

Still travelling nicely when a faller three fences from home on debut at Taylorstown last season, the €75,000 Tattersalls Derby Sale purchase hadn’t been seen since.

Coming from mid-division under Rob James, this Jack Hobbs chestnut gained an outright advantage after two out and kept on well when ridden in the closing stages, eventually going on to beat game newcomer Coolanna by two and a half lengths.

“She was unlucky the first day. She is a lovely mare and does everything very smartly,” Donnchadh Doyle, who trains the winner for the Monbeg Partnership, said.

“She wasn’t cheap as a store, but she’s a good-looking mare.”

ON the mark at Knockanard the previous afternoon, Co. Kerry native Ross Sugrue enjoyed further success by completing a double. It was the rider’s fourth career double. Aboard one of the most experienced runners in the line-up, he guided Brendaandtheboys (5/1 - 10/1) to a surprise win in the five-year-old geldings’ maiden.

Trained by Eoin McCarthy for the Seven Sinners Syndicate, this €3,800 Tattersalls July Sore Sale purchase was always towards the head of affairs.

Ridden clear after two out, he needed to be kept up to his work on the run-in to hold off the renewed effort of Kicour La by half a length, with just three of the 13 starters managing to complete.

“He is a lovely horse and it’s just taken him a long time to grow up, he’ll continue at this game now for the rest of the season,” McCarthy explained.

On target

Sugrue was again on target in the concluding six-year-old and upwards maiden, as he partnered Potters Voyage (3/1 - 5/2 favourite) to a narrow win for the Happy Valley Syndicate.

A half-brother to Galway Plate winner Pinkerton and a runner-up on two of his five previous starts, the Michael Mangan-trained bay made progress from five out and improved to dispute the lead before the last.

Soon engaged in a tussle with front-running newcomer Manfromsnowyriver, the judge was called upon to separate the pair, with just a short-head between them at the line.

“I thought if he ran anywhere near his Dromahane effort that he should win,” Gerry Mangan, son of the winning trainer, commented.

“He could be a horse for Mallow at Easter now.”

Kicour La (Robert James): This €50,000 Tattersalls May Store Sale purchased showed signs of greenness on debut.

Headed before two out, he soon found himself a few lengths in arrears, but to his credit rallied on the run-in, ultimately succumbing to a more experienced rival.

Sure to come on plenty from this initial experience, it’ll come as no surprise if he manages to go a place better on his next start.