Sarah Anne Madden

THE Westmeath Foxhounds held their point-to-point fixture at Castletown-Geoghegan last Sunday which was the first meeting in the eastern region. The meeting was well supported with a good local crowd in attendance.

There was a dramatic finish to the opening four-year-old maiden when Misfits (6/1) was gifted the race at the final fence when Aidan Fitzgerald’s Reilly’s Minor crumpled on landing. The Sean Doyle-trained Misfits, who won by two lengths from Jovial Joey, had one run under his belt when finishing a solid fourth behind Fleet Commander in February.

“Luck was very much on our side,” beamed the winning handler Doyle. “He had a lovely run last season at Bennettsbridge. He was very weak last season and has really strengthened up over the summer. We have 13 horses for the autumn season and have a nice team of youngsters for the spring season.”

The biggest cheer on the day was for the locally-owned and trained Miss Coley (8/1) when she landed the five and six-year-old mares’ maiden in the hands of Simon Cavanagh. She won by a length from Red Flight. The favourite Boston Lady was beaten in third when she unseated at the last.

The six-year-old Milan mare is trained by Ciaran Murphy and is owned by Richard Cavanagh, the rider’s father. Winning handler Murphy was full of praise for the young rider stating: “Simon was really good there, he was very strong in the finish and the pair got a great jump at the last. The aim for this mare is the banks race at Punchestown in November as she is such a good jumper.”

Karl Thornton’s Shanroe Street (6/4) justified the market support when running out an impressive winner of the five and six-year-old geldings’ maiden.

The son of Mustameet who had two decent runs under his belt showed an exceptional turn of foot when quickening clear in the straight to register a six-length victory over Sean Ban.

An elated Thornton remarked afterwards: “He is a really good horse with bags of ability and jumps for fun. He was sick the last day he ran at Tyrella. I am delighted for the owner who is my cousin Brian Smyth from Newry.”

The open lightweight was one of the most competitive races on the card with 13 of the 17 declared in action. It was the David Christie-trained The Hard Hat (4/1) who came out on top under an enterprising ride from Barry O’Neill. The pair took up the running five fences from home and stayed on gamely for a four-length victory over Luska Lad. “That was a surprise, I really didn’t expect him to do that! It wasn’t the plan to hit the front so soon either but Barry said they just weren’t going fast enough for him. He picked up a rash last year that affected his movement and he just wasn’t right for most of last season. He has been an absolute superstar in the yard and his owners have remained very loyal to me,” said a delighted Christie.

Luska Lad was subsequently disqualified for his rider faling to weigh-in. Optimus Prime was officially second ahead of Cootamundra.

Colin McBratney combined with Noel McParlan to land the winners of two of contest with Itsnoteasyted (5/2). The Dr Massini gelding showed great battling qualities on the run-in to deny the Brian Hamilton-trained One Tick by a length and a half.

The eight-year-old is owned by the Quick As You Like Syndicate which is made up of James Murdock, Stephen Gourley, Joe Flynn and Colin McBratney.

The winning handler remarked afterwards: “He has won every point-to-point first time out. He is extremely hard to keep sound. We ran him on the track last year and discovered he had kissing spines. He is a tough little horse and we will probably go back to track for a beginners chase.” The 7/4 favourite Skip A Beat Kid was still in contention when he unseated at the second last.

James Barrett made the long journey from Co Clare all the worthwhile when his charge Victoryrowe (4/5) took the concluding seven-year-old and upwards novice riders maiden in good style in the hands of Paul Cawley, winning by six lengths from Buz Barton.

The son of Vinnie Roe carried the colours of Noel Rice to victory, the colours were previously used by Rice’s father and have been in action for over 40 years.

A relieved winning handler Barrett said afterwards: “He is as honest as the day’s long and we will go hunter chasing with him next and then probably go back handicap chasing in the summer.”

Kenny prepares

for point debut

Vital Plot, ran this weekend ridden J.P. O’Sullivan but is due to be partnered by James Kenny for the remainder of the season. The 17-year-old son of Liam Kenny, who is doing his Leaving Certificate this year, is currently waiting to do the qualified riders’ course which will allow him to ride in point-to-point races.

He hopes to have his licence within the next two weeks. James has represented Ireland in show jumping and has been on a gold medal winning team in Europe.

Corbett success

It was a good week for breeder Patrick Corbett who was in Castletown to witness Victoryrowe winning the seven-year-old maiden.

His full-brother Cut The Corner was also in the winner’s enclosure earlier in the week when winning at Southwell for trainer Richard Newland.