BARRY O’Neill certainly had a weekend to remember as not only did the Wexford native ride a treble at Sunday’s fixture, he also became a father when his fiancée Bridgid Bowe gave birth to a baby boy over the weekend.

The Wexford native got off the mark in the opening four-year-old mares’ maiden aboard the Gigginstown House Stud-owned Domitian (4/1). Having made much of the running, the daughter of Getaway battled on gamely in the home straight to repel the challenge of Doin’whatshelikes by a length and a half.

“Barry said she loved the ground and jumped well today. We haven’t ran too many for Gigginstown, but it’s been a good start. I think we have ran four horses for them and two of them have won,” comment handler Colin Bowe after the success.

TREBLE

O’Neill struck again aboard the consistent Oscar Academy (1/2 favourite), following up on his recent maiden success at Monksgrange when successful in the winners of one.

Having been placed on six previous occasion, the son of Oscar certainly appears to have his confidence boosted since his maiden success.

He jumped and travelled sweetly here before quickening up smartly to win by three lengths with Little Battler coming home in second.

“Barry felt he was even better today, he missed the second last but when he gave him a squeeze he quickened up well and won handy. I really rate this lad, we might go for another point-to-point or a bumper if he isn’t sold,” said handler John Paul Brennan.

O’Neill brought up his treble in the concluding older maiden, bringing his tally to 48 for the season.

This is likely to be the easiest winner O’Neill will ride in his career as Briar Lane was the only declared runner, resulting in walkover.

Owned by Jenny Walsh, the nine-year-old simply had to canter past the judge to be declared the winner and collect his winnings.

A somewhat amused handler Benny Walsh commented beforehand: “We will head for a winners of one now or maybe the Ladies Cup. He was out in a field with a friend over the road for a couple of years but I got him for banks races. We will take our win today!”

SMOOTH VICTORY

Peter Flood saddled his tenth winner of the season courtesy of Brief Ambition (1/1 favourite), who recorded a comprehensive four-length success in the five-year-old geldings’ maiden.

Placed on both his previous starts, the son of Yeats was duly sent off favourite here under Anthony Fox.

Sporting the Pioneer Racing Partnership colours, the five-year-old always travelled smoothly behind the pace before staying on gamely in the closing stages to account for On Term’s.

“He deserved that, he was unlucky in Punchestown and made a mistake the last day up North. We thought he wouldn’t be beaten today and he did it well. Fair play to Anto, he knows him well and gave him a good ride. He is a nice horse and will head to the sales now,” stated the Kilcock handler.

SIXTH SUCCESS

Some Are Lucky (1/1 favourite) recorded his sixth success of the season when taking the novice riders open for owner/rider Gerry Spain.

Successful at Castletown the previous weekend, the son of Gold Well had no problem turning out quickly, coming home well to record a cosy three-quarter-length success.

With handler Sam Curling on duty at Stradbally, the winning rider said afterwards: “He is unreal and did it easy again today, although the ground was plenty quick for him. He is a marvel really, I am lucky to have him! We said we would bounce him out quick again this week and it was worth the chance. We will keep point-to-pointing now for the season.”

Ben Harvey who recorded the first success of his career when Cheeky Rafeeky (4/1) took the mares’ maiden for up and coming handler Eddie Power.

Pulled up on her debut at Borris in March, the daughter of Mahler gave a much improved account of herself here to record a two-and-a-half-length success on her first start for the Power yard.

Sporting the colours of Orla Barrett, the five-year-old cut out much of the running before finding plenty for pressure to see-off Carpool in the closing stages.

“I have her six weeks, it took her a bit of time to adjust to the new routine but she has just kept improving. She did a good piece of work the other day with an open horse so I fancied her today. James Barrett sent her to me because he is very busy with breeze-up horses at the minute.

“If there is a mares’ winners race coming up we might go for that, if not she will head to the sales.”

Shananhan on

the side-lines

JOCKEY Bill Shananhan was certainly thriving on the good ground condition at Bellurgan as it made his conveyance on a set of newly acquired crutches somewhat easier.

The Tipperary native rode half a dozen point-to-point winners in Ireland along with a number of winners in Italy before making the move to the UK this season. Based with Rose Dobbin, Shananhan had ridden three point-to-point winners in the UK this season before getting injured following a fall in a Kelso hunters chase earlier in the month.

Having already ridden for 16 different trainers since making the move, the 26-year-old should have no problem capitalising on these contacts when he returns from injury.

Power on the up

EDDIE Power has enjoyed a fantastic start to his training career and saddled his third winner of the season when Cheeky Rafeeky took the mares’ maiden on her first start for the yard.

The former jockey who enjoyed over 60 winners in the saddle is based with Pat Doyle and trains his own string in the afternoons.

Currently running at a 60% strike rate, the Tipperary native has had five runners this season for three winners, a third and a fifth.

Undoubtedly Power is a name to watch out for in the training ranks going forward.

First winner

MEATH-native Ben Harvey was seen to good effect when booting home his first career success in the mares’ maiden aboard Cheeky Rafeeky.

The 18-year-old, a Leaving Cert student at the Institute on Leeson Street, rides out for Pat Doyle at the weekends, while also helping his grandfather David Harvey with his string.

With 24 rides between-the-flags and a further 15 rides under rules to his name, Harvey could well be value for his 5lb claim in the future.

Attractions galore

THE Louth hunt made a commendable effort to provide a host of attractions for patrons, with a wide variety of food on offer, there was also amusements for the kids, a number of trade stalls, a dog show and a most appropriately dressed lady competition, all of which complimented the racing on the day.

HORSE TO FOLLOW:

CARPOOL (J A Berry): This daughter of Mahler shaped with plenty of promise when filling the runner-up berth in the five-year-old mares’ maiden. Ridden by Jamie Codd, the bay travelled notably well throughout before coming home well late in the day. A maiden success should be well within the grasp of this improving sort.