A ROB James treble was the highlight of the well-attended Carlow Farmers’ Foxhounds meeting at Borris House.
He finished the day on the 14-winner mark and sharing the lead with fellow joint champion Barry O’Neill with another tight title battle on the cards.
James began proceedings with victory in the opener, the four-year-old mares’ maiden. Nine runners faced the starter, and it was the debutant Heron In The Park (2/1 - 6/4 favourite), in the Monbeg Syndicate colours, that produced the most taking of displays to score by nine and a half lengths.
In front well before two out, she scooted away from Princesse Milania in the style of a smart filly, to the delight of backers and handler Donnchadh Doyle.
A well-related daughter of Walk in the Park, she is a half-sister to the classy Glory And Fortune and was well-touted beforehand.
“She is a smart filly. She was doing everything right at home and was good there. She will be sold now,” reported her handler and looks one for the notebooks.
The James double arrived in the next race, the opening division of the four-year-old geldings’ maiden, as the well-regarded Hold The Serve (5/4 - 6/4 favourite) made a winning debut.
In control
This time sporting the Monbeg Partnership silks, James had matters well in control from three out on the well-bred son of Jukebox Jury. A mistake two out, gave Crossgales King a second chance, but Sean Doyle’s grey quickly recovered and, despite signs of greenness, went on to score by two lengths.
A brother to Nicky Richard’s five-time winner Findthetime, he cost connections €62,000 at the Goffs Arkle sale and was described by Gearoid Doyle, representing the absent handler, as ‘an exciting type’.
Doyle also stated: “He would have no bother dropping back in trip and looks to have a bright future.” The winning handler was recuperating at home after a midweek fall.
After two second placed finishes, James got back on track again in the five-year-old geldings’ maiden. The Colin Bowe-trained Jump Style (8/1) has been a consistent type and he shed his maiden tag under a patient, well-judged ride. The French-bred came from off the pace to lead well before the straight and score cosily by two lengths from Slade Shore, with Revolut Ned a further 14 lengths adrift.
Champion handler Bowe now expects to go for a winners’ race with the Milestone Bloodstock Ltd-owned gelding.
Division two of the four-year-old geldings’ maiden saw the Sam Curling-trained and Alan Harte-owned Cosmos D’Ainay (2/1 - 7/4 favourite) enjoy a change of luck under Derek O’Connor, as the chesnut son of Muhtathir scored snugly by two and a half lengths from Catchintsavo with Wise Ways back in third.
Under a typically patient O’Connor ride, he swept around the outside on the approach to two out and quickened clear.
“He has been very unlucky. He fell in Ballysteen, when probably going to win, and the saddle slipped in Lisronagh. He is a good horse and it’s great to get today over with. I’m delighted for Alan and he is for sale,” reported the handler.
THE five-year-old mares’ maiden went to a newcomer, as the Benny Walsh-trained Menas Miracle (6/4 - 5/4) and the in-form Barry Stone scored by an easy 13 lengths from her seven other rivals.
The daughter of Jet Away led from the 10th fence and never saw another rival. The favourite Beckley Love gave chase, but that proved to be in vein, as she could not reel in Peter Aspel’s smooth-jumping bay, with Geordie Girl a never-nearer third.
The owner is from Newbawn in Wexford and is looking forward to heading to the track with his home-bred, who is a sister of two point-to-point winners. Stone was recording an 11th winner of the current campaign and sits third in the riders’ championship.
The older geldings’ maiden saw a field of 11 go to post and it was the Wicklow-based handler Riceal Dunne’s Slieve Annilog (10/1) that took the spoils.
Having a third career start here, the Brian Barry-ridden Mount Nelson gelding had a good battle with debutant At Mangan Bridge, before a good jump at the last sealed the deal and he stayed on to win by two lengths.
It was a pleasant surprise for connections and the Stylebawn Syndicate-owned gelding is now headed for the track according to connections. “We didn’t expect it. He was sick after his last run, and we let him off,” said Dunne.
THE J.P. McManus-owned Priory Park (evens - 4/6 favourite) and Eoin Staples have proved a formidable combination in novice rider opens this season and they added a fourth win on the bounce here.
A field of 12 went to post in a truly-run contest, as Staples gave his mount yet another polished ride to score by a length and a half from the game Er Dancer, with Ask D’Man back in third.
Edward O’Grady’s eight-year-old was produced to lead entering the straight and, although idling, he never looked in danger of defeat.
The son of Dylan Thomas is really enjoying life between the flags, but is set to return back to the track for his next outing, as his trainer stated: “That was a good race, they went a good gallop and Eoin said he ended up getting to the front too soon and idled.
“He will go to Down Royal on St Stephen’s Day and that will determine what happens for the rest of the season.”
Wexford native Staples is enjoying a fine season and now moves onto the six-winner mark.
Flemins Eagle (C. Bowe): This gelding by Wings Of Eagles finished fourth to make a promising debut. Front rank throughout, he still held every chance three-out.
He jumped well, apart from just the one significant error after halfway and, despite weakening in the straight, he acquitted himself a lot better than the bare form might read. He is one to watch for next time.