DONNCHADH Doyle secured an across-the-card treble on the afternoon and the Monbeg handler opened his account courtesy of Get In Robin (3/1) in the four-year-old mares’ maiden at Fairyhouse. Having come to grief on her debut at Ballyarthur, the daughter of Robin Des Champs atoned here in good fashion, making much of the running under James Walsh before going on to win in the Monbeg Syndicate colours.

The promising Calle Malva came home well back in second to get within two lengths of the winner. “She was running well the first day when she fell on bottomless ground. She was very good today so we are delighted. James gave her a great ride and she will head on to one of the sales now,” said the handler.

Faivour (4/1 - 5/1) brought up the double at Fairyhouse for Donnchadh Doyle when taking the four-year-old geldings’ maiden. The handler was represented by three runners in the contest and Kevin Corrigan came in for a winning spare ride aboard the son of Coastal Path who was getting off the mark at the first time of asking.

A little keen in mid-division in a contest which was run at a very strong gallop, the Monbeg Syndicate -owned French-bred made the best of his way home from the penultimate obstacle, surviving a mistake at the last to see off the previously placed Favori De Champdou by half a length. Afterwards the handler commented: “This lad is a grand horse who has plenty of speed. They went a good gallop up front, but he quickened up well. He jumped well bar the mistake at the last and hopefully he will head to some of the sales now.”

FIRST SUCCESS

It was a red-letter day for Northern-based owner Richard Irwin who saw his colours carried to success for the first time between the flags when Top Man (6/1) took the concluding maiden for horses that were previously unplaced. Trained by Cormac Farrell, the son of Milan was getting off the mark at the third time of asking, having shown promise on his previous start at Monksgrange.

The €38,000 store quickened away smartly in the closing stages to see off Broomhill by six lengths after Collingwood Courth unshipped at the last when in second.

“I’m from Armagh, but Cormac and I evented together years ago so he has a few of my horses. This lad has been improving away and the penny has really dropped. Shane said he was very good today. We are commercial so he will probably be sold now,” stated the winning owner.

Cian Cullinane was seen to good effect when steering home his third career success in the five-year-old and upwards mares’ maiden aboard Bitofalright (8/1 - 3/1). In a contest which saw four of the nine runners come to grief with a circuit to race, the Maurice Sheehy-owned debutant showed a nice attitude in the closing stages to fend off the challenge of the more experienced Springfield Lodge by a length.

“This is a very good mare who just had a few problems. Fair play to her owner for persevering and keeping her in training. She has really started to improve in the last few months. It was a great ride by Cian so I am delighted,” said successful handler Peter Croke.

The five-year-old geldings’ maiden saw Islandray (5/2) gain a well-deserved success when getting off the mark at the ninth attempt under Roger Quinlan. Second on his last start at Loughbrickland, the son of Milan put in an exhibition of jumping before battling on gamely in the closing stages to see-off First Revolution by half a length.

“He has been very consistent all year and deserved to win one. He is a real staying chaser in the making. He is a big horse and he will only improve as time goes on. He is entered up in the Doncaster Sales, but he might go for a winners’ race first,” commented handler Colin McKeever of the Wilson Dennison-owned winner.

(L-R) Darragh and Peter Croke with Maurice and Rubi Sheehy after Bitofalright won the Mares Maiden Race. Photo Healy Racing

Some Are Lucky (3/1) is proving to be a horse of a lifetime for owner/rider Gerry Spain and the eight-year-old brought his tally to seven wins from nine runs this season when taking the novice riders open. Having made a decisive move before four out, the son of Gold Well quickly put the race to bed, ultimately staying on gamely to see off favourite Kruzhlinin by five lengths.

The latter had been successful at Taylorstown the previous afternoon and was in search of his third win inside a week here before Sam Curling’s charge scuppered plans.

“He showed how good he is today. He has been in great form, he takes his racing so well. I just had to commit early and put the race to bed. We will see where things go now with him. Sam is having a brilliant year and it’s great to keep it going,” commented the winning rider.

Pony races provide a great spectacle

THE Meath and Taras can be commended for hosting a couple of pony races before racing at Sunday’s fixture. Not only is the initiative a great spectacle, it also gives younger riders fantastic experience while also attracting new spectators and participants alike to the sport.

With 12 ponies going to post, the contest was split into 2 divisions, one for smaller ponies and the second for larger. Tony McCann took the opening race aboard Fore Star with May Little filling the runner-up spot on My Morning Star.

Buddy took the second division with Kevin Healy on board, with Adam Clinton coming home in second aboard his mount.

Packed ring to view Tiger Roll parade

THE parade ring was packed three deep before the fourth contest with many of the racegoers in attendance keen to see dual Grand National winner Tiger Roll as he paraded. Having been kindly brought along by Gordon Elliot, the four-time Cheltenham Festival winner was led up by Sam Ewing, son of trainer Warren Ewing and currently a leading pony racing rider.

When interviewed in the parade ring, Elliott touched on the significance of the gelding being the first horse to win back to back Grand Nationals since Red Rum and his aim to plot a similar campaign for Tiger Roll next season.

Second placings count in title race

ALTHOUGH connections may have been somewhat disappointed to see Kruzhlinin beaten in the open, it is worth noting that should the 12-year-old at the end of the season be tied on the same number of wins as Longhouse Music, second placings will be taken into account to decide who is champion pointer.

Currently Longhouse Music has eight wins and two seconds while Gordon Elliott’s charge has nine wins and one second. If the mare matches his tally this weekend, a subsequent winner or a second will keep Kruzhlinin in contention for the title.

HORSE TO FOLLOW:

SPRINGFIELD LODGE (E. O’Grady): She is a consistent sort who has now filled the runner-up berth on two of her seven starts to date. The daughter of Scorpion appeared to bump into an unexposed sort here in the five-year-old and upwards mares’ maiden when just coming up short by only a length.

A first success should be well within her grasp before the season is out.