THE rise of I Masked Du Potier (5/4 - evens favourite) and Pandora Briselden has been one of the stories of the season thus far, with the pair combining for a third win in the open.
A model of consistency, the Pat Doyle-trained seven-year-old was recording his second success at this picturesque Co Wexford venue, having won here in December.
Again, on the mark at Nenagh a fortnight earlier, the Masked Marvel chesnut, was widely expected to follow-up in this six-runner affair.
Making good progress to lead shortly after halfway, the likeable French-bred went on from three out and stretched further clear before the last, easing to a nine-length win.
“I wasn’t planning on taking up the running when I did, but Pat has him spot on and very fit. He doesn’t really quicken up that much, but just keeps galloping,” Briselden, who also owns the progressive gelding, explained.
“I think the plan is the hunter chase at Cork on Easter Monday. Whatever Pat and Jack want to do, I trust them. That’s my fourth win now and my third on him.”
There was a much tighter finish to the six-year-old and upwards maiden, with just under three lengths separating the first four home.
One of three debutants in the line-up, Not Now Rodney (3/1 - 4/1) finished with a flourish under Shane Butler, getting the better of Maison De Balzac by three-quarters of a length.
Bred by the late Tom Deacon and named after his son Rodney, the Notnowcato seven-year-old is owned and trained by Blackwater handler Martin Corrigan.
“He does everything well at home, jumps well, gallops well and does everything forward. We were hoping for a big run out of him today and we got it,” the successful handler reflected.
“Shane is my next-door neighbour in Blackwater and we train right alongside the beach there.”
BRED by Kenny Alexander and out of a six-time winning half-sister to recent Cheltenham victor Doddiethegreat, Seeitoldya (evens - 7/4 favourite) led home eight rivals in the opening four-year-old maiden.
A €45,000 Goffs Arkle Sale graduate and Derek O’Connor’s sole ride at this Island Hunt fixture, the Walk In The Park bay raced in a share of the lead from flag fall.
Recovering quickly from a mistake three out, he was left with an outright advantage at the next, after Gretsky took a heavy fall.
Trained by Ellmarie Holden and owned by her father Paul, the market leader was kept up to his work away from the last and crossed the line two and a half lengths clear of Iconic Walk, with a further 12-length gap back to the third.
“He did it well and has never missed a beat at home. He’ll head to the Aintree Sale now,” the successful handler revealed.
Every post a win
Another front-runner claimed the five and six-year-old mares’ maiden, with the Liam Kenny-trained Rock On Katy (3/1 - 5/1) making every post a winning one under Barry Stone.
A solid fourth here on debut in January, the Fascinating Rock bay was ridden from two out and eventually came home three lengths clear of Giorgia Rose.
The front pair were first and second throughout, with the remaining six contenders never managing to land a blow.
“She’s owned by Gorey man Patrick Kinsella and she’ll be going to the sales now,” Darragh Brennan, representing Kenny, disclosed.
“She ran here in January and it was a good run. She has improved a tonne from that, and a lot of Liam’s horses weren’t right at the time, so we were delighted with her.
“We thought coming here that she had a great chance. She’s a very good mare to jump and is straightforward.”
Well-bred Luke looks lucky for Doyle
OUT of a half-sister to the brilliant 2018 Gold Cup winner Native River and sold for €68,000 as a yearling, Legendary Luke (5/2 - 4/1) just got the better of fellow newcomer Eclat De Marvel in the five-year-old geldings’ maiden.
Settled behind the pacesetters in this 13-runner contest, the Sean Doyle-trained victor made progress with over a circuit to go and soon disputed the lead. Gaining an outright advantage approaching three out, he was ridden and joined by the eventual runner-up over the next.
The successful Monbeg Partnership-owned bay regained the lead from the last and, despite edging right near the line, he came home a length to the good under Jamie Scallan.
“He is a tough horse and only came to me in November. It was a good performance and he’ll improve for the run,” Doyle remarked.
“It’s great to get a winner at the local track and he’ll head to the sales now.”
Similar tactics were successfully deployed by Shane O’Rourke aboard Onyerbike (4/1 - 5/1) in the winner of one.
Shedding his maiden tag when last seen at Stradbally in May, the Vincent Devereux-trained six-year-old raced in fourth early on, making progress to dispute the lead shortly after halfway.
Getting by the front-running Longhouse Star approaching three out, the successful son of Jet Away went on before the last and had three lengths to spare at the line.
“I’d say he’ll go for another winners’ race now. If someone wants to buy him, that’s well and good, and if they don’t, we will keep going,” Devereux, who trains the winner for his father James, commented.
“He likes a bit of nicer ground and, while I had him ready in the autumn, it rained and I was too late getting him out, so I let him off then.”
Horse to Follow
Cadillac Ranch (C. Bowe): While he failed to complete on his first three starts, this €68,000 Goffs Arkle Sale graduate has improved in recent outings.
Closely-related to classy eight-time winner Tombstone, he came from off the pace in the race won by Legendary Luke, eventually finishing an eye-catching fourth.