WITH the ground quicker than normal for the time of year at many venues around the country, yielding to soft conditions were very much welcome at Knockmullen House.

The surface probably mattered little to Sage Green (5/1–3/1), such was his superiority in the four-year-old geldings’ maiden.

The first part of a double for Barry Stone and providing Cleariestown handler Shane Roche with his second success, the Sageburg bay made all and came home three and a half lengths to the good.

A half-brother to three-time track winner Knock On Steel, the Richard Eustace-owned victor had all his rivals in trouble when kicking clear before four out and, while his advantage was reduced in the closing stages, he was always in control.

“I thought he’d win today, he’s a very good horse,” Roche revealed. “He ran in the spring and should have won but was hampered before the second last.

Better luck

“I had my first winner last week, but could have had three. Highway Skyline and Long Road fell at Lisronagh and both of them should have won. I work with Mark Scallan in the morning and use his gallop.”

Coincidentally, Scallan’s Inbeforered (4/1–5/2 joint-favourite), who carries the colours of his wife Laura, provided Stone with his second success in the five-year-old geldings’ maiden.

A faller at the last when likely to finish third on debut at Ballindenisk in January, the Zambezi Sun chesnut made all in this nine-runner contest, readily drawing clear on the run-in to beat newcomer Rap Soul by six lengths.

“He is a nice horse. He disappointed us a bit the first day and hopefully he’ll be sold now,” Scallan said of his €6,000 Tattersalls July Store Sale purchase. “We picked him up cheap enough, but he is a good looking horse.”

COLIN Bowe and Barry O’Neill continued their strong start to the season, combining for a double that was initiated by Delta Blues Belle (3/1 co-favourite) in the opening four-year-old mares’ maiden.

A half-sister to Grade 1 winner Ballycasey, the €26,000 Tattersalls Derby Sale purchase was third on previous starts at Loughrea and Umma House respectively.

With the trailblazing Justabitofyours quickly establishing a sizeable advantage, O’Neill, donning the familiar Milestone Bloodstock silks, positioned his mount in a clear second, gradually reducing the deficit on the final circuit.

The grey victor took over at the head of affairs approaching two out and found plenty for pressure to hold off the effort of newcomer Jo’s Secret by two and a half lengths.

“She had consistent form and the ease in the ground helped her. She’ll head to the sales now,” Bowe commented.

Making amends

Fiddledee (4/1–3/1 joint-favourite) completed the Bowe/O’Neill brace, as she made amends for a disappointing effort at Damma House the previous Sunday.

Accounting for six rivals in the five-year-old and upwards mares’ maiden, the Champs Elysees bay made progress from three out and improved into second before the next.

Coming with her effort away from the last, she outstayed Survivors Sister, with two and a half lengths between them at the line. “The ground was too quick for her last weekend, she prefers it slow,” Bowe explained. “Her owner [Rebecca Surman] won with Wednesday Addams here last year as well.”

RETURNING to the point-to-point fields after a brief stint on the track, Manlikemike (3/1) benefited from a patient Jack Hendrick ride in the winners of one.

Owned and trained by Denis Murphy and successful at Tattersalls in the spring, the bay victor since finished a respectable fifth in a bumper at Wexford.

Racing in rear, the Mount Nelson six-year-old made gradual progress on the final circuit and was ridden to challenge before the last.

Soon getting to the front, he found plenty on the run-in to see off Bob The Builder and Barton Sky by two lengths and two and a half lengths respectively.

“We fancied him today. He won last year and then ran on quick ground, which probably didn’t suit him,” Hendrick disclosed.

“He had a nice run in a bumper at Wexford and the tight track at Kilbeggan then probably didn’t suit him.

“He’ll stay point-to-pointing now for a while and might go for another winners’ race.”

Murphy in the money

While his Barton Sky finished third, Willie Murphy went a few places better with The Last Minute (5/4 favourite) in the concluding six-year-old and upwards geldings’ maiden.

Just three lined up for this novice riders’ event, and they shared the lead from flagfall, with the race only really developing from the third last.

Narrowly beaten at Rathcannon the previous Sunday, the Patrick Gleeson-ridden victor gained an outright advantage before two out and soon extended his lead, eventually coming home 20 lengths clear of track recruit Monsieur Azul.

“He had a good run last Sunday and he seemed fresh and well,” Murphy, who also owns the successful Pour Moi bay, remarked.

“He jumped and galloped today and got a lovely ride. That’s Patrick’s first ride for us, he comes in a day a week and he’s a very good chap. We’ll tip away with him now and find a winners’ race, I’d imagine.”

Horse to follow

A MIGHTY KING (R. O’Sullivan): The subject of market support and awarded the best turned out prize, this Shirocco chesnut raced towards rear under Lee Shanahan. Losing all chance when hampered after a slight mistake three out, he made eyecatching late headway to finish a never-nearer third.