Alan Mahon

ROI Du Mee (1/8 favourite) made his long anticipated points debut a winning one in the John McGovern open race at the Iveagh Foxhounds point-to-point at Maralin for owners Gigginstown House Stud. The 150+ rated chaser and former Grade 1 winner was last seen a year ago finishing third behind Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Don Cossack in the Grade 1 JNWine.com Champion Chase at Down Royal.

Jamie Codd took the mount on the 11-year-old and he easily accounted for the former Willie Mullins-trained Balnaslow by five lengths. Winning handler Gordon Elliott commented: “He will come on for the run as he was a bit rusty early but he got the job done. He will stay pointing this season and he could go to Down Royal for the hunter chase on St Stephen’s Day but he will have another one or two runs before then as long as it’s soft.’’

The opening Dennison Commercials four-year-old maiden was won in impressive fashion by Golden Drumlee (3/1-4/6 favourite) under Noel McParlan. Owned and trained by Noel’s father Sean, the winner was purchased for €600 at the Tattersalls February National Hunt Sale in 2013.

With all horses in the line-up making their debut there was no previous form on record to inform punters but there was strong support for the Golden Lariat gelding. He was never too far off the pace and took over from Liam Kenny’s Vital Island with a circuit to race. He upped the tempo climbing up the back straight as the number of challengers dwindled and he had a clear lead on the run to the last. The result didn’t look in doubt from the second last and he recorded a six-length victory from the Colin Bowe-trained Minella Mischief.

“We bought him as a foal for €600 in Tattersalls, he didn’t have much of a pedigree but he had a lovely big step on him and is a great mover. He is so relaxed he just switches off; Noel said he had to let him roll on because he was only in a half canter. He will head to the sales now,’’ remarked the winning handler.

Harley Dunne guided another newcomer, Jalamie (7/2-7/1), to the winner’s enclosure in the Ears PLC five-year-old geldings’ maiden for Liam Kenny. Owned by Liam’s wife Noeleen, the Mustameet gelding also graduated from Tattersalls when realising €7,000 at the August National Hunt Sale in 2014.

Dara’s Present (4/6 favourite) was sent off the odds-on favourite following his maiden effort at Knockanard in February when finishing second. However, he failed to build on that effort as Dunne’s mount jumped well and made headway to lead at the second last. He held the advantage at the last and battled gamely to repel the challenge of the fast-finishing As The Crow Flies by a length with Dara’s Present a further three lengths behind in third.

The winning handler wasn’t present but commented afterwards: “He’s a very nice horse and is straightforward to train. He will be offered for sale now.’’

The Willie Codd-owned and trained Flabello provided Jamie Scallan with his first point-to-point success in the older geldings’ maiden for novice riders. Flabello (6/4-1/1 favourite) was last seen at Grennan in May finishing third behind Golden Silence. He improved from that effort and won easily from the debutant Galbraith by five lengths.

“He won well there and he probably should have won before now. He’s a great fun horse and has given ‘Paddy’ great experience and he will go for a winner’s race next,’’ remarked winning handler Codd.

HUGHES AGAIN

Carl Hughes won his second race on board Kracken Tale (7/4-5/2 joint-favourite) in the Northern Excavators Ltd sponsored winners of one. The winner owned by the Family H Syndicate and are all relatives of Carl. He partnered the Desert King gelding to win the older geldings’ maiden at the same meeting last year. He finished placed in both outings this season and his consistency was rewarded as he battled gamely to win by two and a half lengths from Loughanmore maiden winner League Of His Own.

The winner is trained by Colin McBratney, who commented: ‘It’s great for Carl to get his second winner here. He rides well and is a hard worker.’’

The Alexander Mills five-year-old mares’ maiden went to the Brian Hamilton-trained Willflywontsink (4/1). Only five runners went to post and when the two market leaders, Loughshore (4/5 favourite) and newcomer Ballela Magic (7/4) came to grief at the third last the race lost much of its depth.

The Philip Rothwell-trained Shanklys Dawn held the advantage at the last fence but with a slow jump lost momentum allowing the Declan Lavery ridden Willflywontsink a second chance. The Winged Love mare battled gamely late to get up in the shadow of the post and win by a head for owner Thomas Murphy.

“She looked like she was going to be destined for second but she just stays all day and I’m not sure what the plan is now,’’ said winning trainer Hamilton.

Paddy’s success

IT was a red letter day for Jamie Scallan at Maralin as he rode his first winner on the Willie Codd trained and owned Flabello on only his fourth ride of the season. Known as ‘Paddy’, the 19-year-old had his first ride on the same horse at Lingstown so it was apt that he was to have his first success on him.

From Tomhaggard, Co Wexford, Paddy has been working at Codd’s yard for a few years and the winning trainer commented’ “he’s a great lad, a hard worker and hopefully he can build on this now.’’