THE opening four-year-old mares’ maiden for the Maguire Cup threw up somewhat of a surprise result when Northern Beau (10/1 - 6/1) recorded a two-and-a-half-length success. Running in the Berry colours, the winner is a first Irish point-to-point runner for flat stallion Canford Cliffs and was also by far the most experienced runner in the field albeit in a slightly different discipline.

Brian Jordan acquired his charge after she had competed half a dozen times on the flat, with her latest run coming over just six furlongs. The bay mare is clearly enjoying the change of scenery and having raced prominently the she quickened clear in the closing stages to come home in front of the promising Jennifer Juniper.

“This mare was bought privately and she loves jumping. She hadn’t enough speed for the flat but she has loads of stamina. We might go to the track or maybe even head to the sales,” commented the winning handler.

FIVE FALLERS

Drama ensued in the Goffs Punchestown Sale four-year-old geldings’ maiden, with five of the eleven starters coming to grief. Classic Ben and Darsi In The Park both fell having come to dispute the advantage at the penultimate fence, which left the staying on Don Lami (3/1 - 2/1) to pick up the pieces. Colin Bowe’s charge held a chance in any case and to his credit, stayed on dourly from here to see off Itsamanslife by five lengths.

The good-looking winner is by the relatively unknown stallion Honolulu who was enjoying his first point-to-point winner from his first runner in this sphere. The former Queen Alexandra Stakes winner at Royal Ascot stands for €1,300 at Haras Du Corlay. Having sired 63 winners in France this maiden success between the flags may attract more interest in his stock in the future. The winners’ dam is a half sister to the prolific banks horse L’Ami.

“This is a nice horse. Barry said he was hampered by a loose horse six out and lost five lengths. He jumps well and never missed a beat. He will go to one of the sales now,” stated the winning handler in relation to the Walter Connor’s-owned winner.

IMPRESSIVE

Boys On Tour (6/1) ran out a very impressive winner of the Dore & Co Solicitors five-year-old geldings’ maiden under Harley Dunne. The son of Beneficial set a relentless gallop and jumped impeccably throughout, before picking up well to win by four lengths from the previously placed Ceatharlach. The Gavin Kinch-owned gelding is an €11,000 graduate of the August sale and is a half brother to the highly-rated Galant Fern and On Tour.

Delighted handler, Liam Kenny commented post race “He loves that better ground. I gave him a break over the winter. We knew he had lots of ability, he just gallops and jumps. I’d say he will probably be going to the sales now.”

The Meath and Tara Hunt along with the race sponsors put up a prize fund of €2000 for the Merriebelle Stable novice riders’ open. The Eoin Larkin-trained Rosc Catha (4/1 - 5/1) took the first prize of €1400 in what is a truly family affair for the Larkins. The admirable veteran was taking his fourth contest of the season. Always to the fore of proceedings, the son of Saddler’s Hall picked up the running three out before staying on gamely to win by a length and a half under regular pilot Shauna Larkin.

The Baler passed the post in second but was subsequently disqualified for weighing in light, thus leaving the runner-up spot to be filled by Aces And Kings. The winner runs in the colours of Michael Larkin who explained post-race: “Shauna is a niece of mine, so Eoin is her cousin. It’s been a great year with the horse, he has been in great form and when he is in good form we are inclined to run.” This winner now puts Shauna back into the lead in the lady riders title on four winners.

GOOD GROUND THE KEY FOR GO COMPLAIN

It was another family affair in the winners’ enclosure following the concluding Bar Racing Club five-year-old and upwards mares’ maiden. Go Complain (4/1 - 10/1) was the second winning mare on the day that had previously raced on the level. Trained and owned by Micheal Bates, the daughter of Mount Nelson had pulled up on her previous three starts, but appeared to relish the return to good ground conditions.

The winning mare was also providing her sire with his first winner between the flags. The five-year-old threw down a challenge at the penultimate obstacle before battling gamely to the line to win by half a length from Once An Angle. The winner was ridden by Ray Cody who is enjoying a fine season. The winning handler’s mother commented afterwards: “That’s great for Micheal. He had a winner in the autumn when Claire Bear won in Loughrea and he has a another horse ready to run. My other son Declan is based in Australia now where he is riding and and has enjoyed plenty of winners.”

FIRST WIN FOR THEATRE

Noel McParlan did not have an easy time of things in the Gain Horse Feeds older geldings’ maiden. The winner Theatre One (6/4 - 5/2 favourite) raced keenly in rear from flag fall. Despite never settling the eight-year-old quickly asserted before the penultimate fence, quickening up well to win by an easy four lengths. The gallant front-runner Keephimbachwilliam filled the runner-up spot for the third occasion this season. The winning son of Kings Theatre is trained in Northern Ireland by Caroline McCaldin.

Falls

BOTH Harley Dunne and Roger Quinlan were stood down following falls on the day. Quinlan unseated after a bad mistake from The Paddy Pie in the four-year-old geldings’ maiden. Dunne took a fall in each of the opening two contests before going on to win the third. However the Wexford rider was stood down with a wrist injury after weighing in after that race.