SUNDAY’S Bree Foxhounds fixture proved a red-letter day for Harley Dunne as he saddled his first success as a handler from just his second runner when Paloma Dove made all in the opening four-year-old mares’ maiden to come home a cosy six lengths clear over Honey I’m Good in the hands of her handler.
Dunne reported that the daughter of Valirann had improved plenty over the summer: “She’s bounced back stronger and more mature, she galloped them into the ground today.” The Wexford native added that his €13,500 August Sale purchase would now be offered for sale.
The other mares’ race on the card also produced an impressive winner when the Colin Bowe-trained Victorias Peak gained a much-deserved success under Barry O’Neill, having been placed on all three of her starts in the spring, including behind the impressive Shirocco’s Dream at Borris House in March.
The daughter of Fame And Glory was never too far off the pace-setting debutante and eventual second Sarahs Secret, before edging in front of that rival after the penultimate obstacle, assuming command to score by a comfortable 10 lengths.
Bowe is now set to offer the Milestone Bloodstock-owned mare for sale, having bought the promising individual for €22,000 at the Goffs Land Rover Sale.
A DRAMATIC finish to the second division of the four-year-old geldings’ led to a fortunate victory for the Donnchadh Doyle-trained Crystal Glory, who capitalised as all three of the rivals he was chasing approaching the penultimate obstacle departed the contest at the final two fences.
The Rob James-ridden son of Fame And Glory was left to come home a length and a half to the good over the only other finisher, Gortmillish.
“He was a little green, it was just all happening a bit quick for him,” said Doyle of the Monbeg Syndicate-owned gelding, and the €65,000 Derby Sale purchase will likely now be aimed at a winners’ contest.
The concluding winners’ contest also went the way of the Monbeg team as Sean Doyle saddled his first winner of the new season when his Knockmullen House winner, The Forge Hill, got her head in front again in the hands of Jordan Gainford. The six-year-old daughter of Morozov never saw another rival and survived a final fence error to come home six lengths in front of Sleepysaurus.
Doyle expressed his delight for breeder John Tobin, saying: “It’s great for John Tobin, he’s a local man and I trained the dam (Shers Dream) to win for him.” The Monbeg handler added that the mare would now contest another winners’ contest.
Handler Matthew Flynn O’Connor recorded his first winner of the season with his initial runner of the new campaign when Comes Recommend landed the opening division of the four-year-old geldings’ maiden.
The chesnut son of Ocovango, who was also providing Wicklow native Brian Lawless with a first victory for the season, took up the running two fences from home and went on to record a two-length success over Mossy Be Lucky.
Ballycrystal-based Flynn O’Connor indicated that the four-year-old, who had failed to complete on his debut at Borris House in March, would now likely be offered for sale. “I thought plenty of him at home, he’s a lovely horse,” he added.
The older maiden for novice riders went the way of Duncormick-based duo handler John Walsh and rider Sean Staples as Corach Rambler recorded a two-and-a-half-length success over Local Rouge.
The Forge Syndicate-owned six-year-old was deserving of this success having been second on the opening day of the season at Ballingarry last weekend.
The winning handler also led up his charge, with delighted syndicate member John-Joe Sinnott describing the son of Jeremy as a lovely horse who would now be offered for sale.
Jony Max hard to beat
THE opening division of the five-year-old geldings’ maiden went the way of the debutant Jony Max for the Pat Doyle yard. The son of Mahler, who owner John Quinn purchased as a foal for €10,000, took up the running at the last under Pa King and went on to see off fellow debutant Our Surprise by four lengths.
The winning handler’s son Jack stated: “He has been working well at home so we thought he’d be hard to beat coming here and he liked the nice ground.”
Doyle also indicated that the half-brother of Robert Tyner’s three-time track winner Tooreen would likely now be sold.
The second division of the five-year-old geldings’ maiden was won by Dare To Begin for the Ellmarie Holden yard. Third at Portrush nearly a year ago, the son of Recitalwas patiently ridden here under Derek O’Connor in a strongly run contest.
He hit the front before the final fence to beat Obey The Rules by a length and a half.
The horse is owned by Holden’s father Paul, and the winning handler indicated that her charge had been pleasing her in his work at home and would now be sold.Dunne grateful to Kenny
HARLEY Dunne was quick to thank Liam Kenny after saddling his initial winner Paloma Dove previously based with Kenny. “I was with Liam (Kenny) for two years,” he said. “I had a few horses of my own in training with him and I was there everyday myself too.
“I learned lot off Liam in the two years I was there, he was very good to me.”
Horse to Follow
Musta Lovea Lovea (B. Walsh): He was denied a win in division two of the four-year-old geldings’ maiden. The Benny Walsh-trained and ridden gelding was 10 lengths clear when coming down at the last.
He will surely make amends.