SIX days later than was originally scheduled, the Laois Foxhounds staged the last of their two spring point-to-points at Stradbally, where Kruzhlinin (2/5-1/1 favourite) became the first horse to reach 12 victories in a point-to-point season in the ladies open. One of the dominant forces within the open division this season, Gordon Elliott’s 12-year-old kept his champion pointer title hopes alive by avenging his Necarne defeat at the hands of Sound Money, when accounting for that rival by 10 lengths in the hands of Lisa O’Neill. Winning owner Camilla Sharples, who watched the race from behind a tree, such were her nerves during the race, was understandably relieved afterwards as she said: “I was so nervous, I just wanted him to get around safe and sound. He has just been unbelievable this season – I’m delighted!”

Avenue to success

Parsons Avenue (6-8/1) provided both Ben Harvey and Ian McCaghy with their second respective successes when he ran out a wide-margin winner of the older geldings’ maiden for novice riders, as he bounced back from two non-completions earlier in the season.Originally campaigned by Aidan Kennedy, the James McCaghy-owned son of Grape Tree Road had spent last season pointing across the Irish Sea, but recorded his first success with this defeat of Hellenic Fire by 12 lengths.

“Ben (Harvey) is a cracking rider and gave this lad a brilliant ride,” said the Ashbourne-based handler. “I bought him from Aidan Kennedy, and he told me today that today’s conditions were ideal for him. He will go for a winners’ race next while the ground stays good.”

Bumper target for Tilly

Tilly’s Torment (4/1) could now be targeted at a bumper after she got her head in front at the sixth time of asking for the father-and-son team of Denis and Conor Moore in the older mares’ maiden. A decisive move at the third last saw her quicken clear, and that advantage could not be reeled in by her rivals, as she crossed the line two and a half lengths clear of recent Stowlin-third Ballinamona Flyer.

Flood’s good season continues

An across-the-card double for Peter Flood added to what has already been a career best season for the Enfield handler, as Secret Court (2/1 - 5/2) ran out a wide-margin winner of the adjacent maiden.Paul Bannon sent on the Teresa Flood-owned recent Loughrea sixth approaching the third last, and she ultimately returned a distance clear over Star Status to provide Flood with his seventh victory since the beginning of April, and 15th for the season overall.“We really expected her to win on her last two outings, but she was mad in season and did today what we thought she would have done first time out. She is a decent mare that will go to the sales next,” said Barney Flood, father of the winning handler, who was also on the scoreboard at Tralee with Save Us Avis.

Spencer connection

The eyes of many of the day’s volunteers were on the 2,000 Guineas at the Curragh on the same afternoon, as Phoenix Of Spain romped home to victory in the hands of Jamie Spencer. The former champion jockey is a sister of hunt member Sarah Jane Spencer who acts as a fence steward at most of the Stradbally fixtures. Ground conditions may have caused the postponement of the original fixture, however those in attendance on Saturday praised the efforts from the unt during the week, with the watering and spiking of the track ensuring safe racing conditions. The 400-kilometre round trip for Rostrevor-based owner Dermot Morgan proved worthwhile as he was on hand to welcome in his first ever winner with Rudy Catrail. That eight-year-old was a very rare winner between the flags in Ireland for the Aga Khan’s Le Croise-Laroche winner Nazar.

“Dermot has had horses with me for the last two to three years, so it was great to be able to give him a winner,” said the delighted winning handler Eamon Sheehy. “I am very good friends with his brother, who is a vet.”

Fabulous day for Fenelon

THE day will live long in the memory of Shane Fenelon, as not only did the fixture provide the 21-year-old with his first success, but his second as well. Shark Hanlon has been a great supporter of the Newtownmountkennedy native, and it was fitting that it was the Carlow handler that provided Fenelon with his first winner, as Urban Legend (2-3/1) prevailed in a thrilling conclusion to the five-year-old geldings’ maiden. The newcomer, a first runner between the flags for his sire, Pasternak, since 2015, got the better of a back-to-form Poncherello from the John Paul Brennan yard by a neck.

“I am delighted for Shane (Fenelon) as he is a really good fella and is a great worker and tries very hard. He has been with me for the last year and a half and it was great to be able to give him his first winner,” said Hanlon of the bay gelding who was offered at Thursday’s Cheltenham sale.

Fenelon returned to the winner’s enclosure to the delight of his father and grandfather, who were in attendance at the fixture, when he made all of the running aboard the Dermot Morgan-owned Rudy Catrail (1/1-6/4) in the following winner-of-two contest. The Borris House maiden winner could never be reeled in, with his trailblazing efforts rewarded with a 12-length success over Oscar Academy, as both Luke Murphy and John Paul Brennan were once again forced to settle for the runners-up spot.

“It’s brilliant for Shane (Fenelon) as he’s a lovely lad and is a very hard worker and I was delighted to be able to put him up,” reported winning handler Eamonn ‘Dusty’ Sheehy.

Horse to follow

WHAT’S THE PROBLEM (V. Devereux) The five-year-old overcame a mistake at the third last to go down fighting by a very narrow margin in the hands of Conor Moore.