FOR the first time since 2000, Tipperary Racecourse played host to a Scarteen Foxhounds point-to-point as the 2021 spring campaign belatedly commenced last weekend.
Eight went to post in the opening four-year-old mares’ maiden with victory going to the smart-looking North Of Nashville the first part of a double for Colin Bowe and Barry O’Neill.
Out of an eight-time winning mare in Gudnis Gracious Me, the Soldier Of Fortune sired-youngster impressed when readily seeing off Hazelhatch Lady by three lengths.
Bowe, who handles the bay for Co Monaghan-owner Leo McArdle disclosed: “This is a smart filly that Leo sourced from Bobby McCarthy. Leo has been lucky with fillies like Kate Appleby Shoes and Forth Worth Texas in the past and he looks to have another nice one here.”
Chianti sparkles
The Ben Halsall-owned Chianti Classico formed the second leg of the Bowe and O’Neill double when claiming the second split of the four-year-old geldings’ maiden in good fashion. The son of Shantou was sent to the front at an early juncture and swiftly overcome an error at the final fence to record a two-and-a-half-length triumph over Stumptown.
“This horse is a lovely straightforward type. I felt he jumped very well aside from missing the last. I’m thrilled for Ben as it’s my first winner for him. He has a couple more with me so hopefully they can be as lucky,” reported Bowe of Chianti Classico who was acquired for £37,000 as a foal by Kevin Ross.
The Pat Doyle-handled Marvel De Cerisy had earlier dominated the opening division of the same contest. Shared between the winning trainer’s wife Mary and John Halley, the Masked Marvel-chesnut led from flag fall under Pa King and stamped his authority in the closing stages to beat A Different Kind by five lengths.
“He’d never been outside our front gate until today so we think he’ll improve from that. He should have a good future on the track now,” revealed Doyle of the half-brother to seven-time French winner Vangel De Cerisy.
Western Flyer takes off
A DIFFERENT Kind’s pilot Derek O’Connor enjoyed better fortune in the initial division of the five-year-old geldings’ maiden when partnering Western Flyer to success. Trained by O’Connor’s near neighbour John Staunton, the Westerner-gelding sealed this race in a matter of strides after the penultimate obstacle by a cosy three lengths in the style of an exciting sort.
Staunton, who has care of the winner for Frank Reynolds commented: “This horse came back sick from his first run in Tattersalls in the autumn but he showed his true worth today. We’ve always felt he was a proper horse. Frank has a very nice horse on his hands.”
Co Wexford-handler Johnny Berry was on the scoresheet in the following division of the five-year-old geldings’ maiden as the Shane O’Rourke-ridden Reserve Judgement obliged at the first time of asking.
Good Judgement
Salamanca Bay was very much to the fore throughout here until departing at the final fence, leaving the Ocovango gelding Reserve Judgement to get the better of King Of The West by five lengths.
“He jumped well and was staying on well to be fair to him. Looking at him going out, he looked a bit big so there should be more to come from him,” remarked Berry of the €5,000 graduate of the 2019 Goffs Land Rover Sale who sports the silks of Monageer-native Liam Gahan.
Coachman improving
Denis Murphy’s Coachman completed a brace for rider Jamie Codd in the third and final division of the five-year-old geldings’ maiden. A half-brother to Au Fleuron, who was an impressive winner of a bumper at the Limerick Junction-venue last month for the same connections, Coachman forged ahead early on the run to the final fence and ultimately saw off The Questioner by a widening six lengths.
“This a fine big horse, he’s 16.3hh and will improve further with a summer’s grass,” stated Murphy. “We actually bought Au Fleuron on the strength of this lad and they’re two lovely horses. This lad will be sold now too.”
Aazza well up to Dreaper standard
THE Jim Dreaper-trained first-timer Aazza kick-started the Codd brace in the opening split of the five-year-mares’ maiden as she responded well to her rider’s urgings between the final two fences and stayed on best of all to post a two-length success over Susie Miller.
Dreaper, who trains the winning daughter of Beat Hollow for Riona Teggart, wife of former jump-jockey Andrew Lynch, wasn’t in attendance, but his son Tom said: “She’s always been a lovely mare. We felt she’d go close today and it’s nice when it comes off. She’s a fantastic pedigree and her schooling has always been of a high standard.”
Duncormick-pilot Seán Staples partnered his first winner for fellow Wexford-man Paul Pierce as Gaia Du Gouet claimed the second division of the five-year-old mares’ maiden in fine style.
Staples sent the daughter of Saddler Maker to the head of affairs on the approach to the penultimate obstacle and the €32,000 Tattersalls Ireland Derby Sale graduate was never in the slightest danger thereafter, ultimately passing the post four lengths ahead of Clearly Crazy.
“If this mare didn’t mare didn’t win today we were in trouble as she’d been working super at home. Seán was very good on her, he does everything with her at home and is a lovely rider. The mare will go to an upcoming sale next,” observed owner Andy Pierce.
Horse To Follow
Royal Mogul (V. Considine):
This towering son of Doyen made a most satisfactory debut in a split of the five-year-old geldings’ maiden when claiming fourth spot.
He looks well up to sampling victory in a similar contest.
No serious injury for Hendrick after heavy fall
MAYGLASS-rider Jack Hendrick was removed to University Hospital Limerick following a heavy fall from Salamanca Bay in a division of the five-year-old geldings’ maiden.
Following assessment and overnight observation, the rider was not deemed to have suffered any serious injury and was allowed to return to his Co Wexford base on Monday.