A MARATHON nine-race card gave racegoers value for money at a well-attended Kilkenny Foxhounds fixture at Grennan on Sunday last.

A busy afternoon kicked off with the four-year-old mares’ maiden as a field of 12 went to post and it was the Colin Bowe-trained Bob O Rhino (4/1) and Bertie Finn that took the honours.

It was the opening leg of an afternoon double for the Kiltealy outfit, as the white-faced daughter of Champ Elysees, wearing the familiar black and green of Milestone Bloodstock Ltd, moved stylishly through the field to lead before three out and score by a snug length and a half from Little Talks.

Keith Cogley, representing the absent Bowe who was on duty at Bartlemy to saddle a double, stated: “She likes a bit of nice ground, has a bit of pace and jumps well, so we are delighted. She’ll be sold now.”

The four-year-old geldings’ maiden saw the first divide off the day with both divisions heading to different branches of the Monbeg setup.

Donnchadh Doyle struck first as Irelands Call (7/2) under Brian Lawless built on his fourth place at Monksgrange to take division one comfortably with the game Devilsinthedetail four lengths back in second.

The white-faced son of Jack Hobbs is well regarded by connections and the Monbeg Syndicate gelding will now head to the sales.

It was brother Cormac Doyle’s turn in division two as the Monbeg Farm Racing partnership-owned Chance Another One (6/4 favourite) under Jack Hendrick made a winning debut.

Badly hampered by a loose horse after halfway, he quickly regained his composure and showed a good turn of foot to quicken clear before the last and score by five lengths from Hillview Tommy (6/1).

Sales bound

The son of Laverock is sales bound according to his handler who also stated: “He is owned by Matty O’Leary a neighbour of mine and I’m delighted for him.”

The Bowe double arrived in division one of the maiden for five-year-old geldings when Young Jack (3/1) overcame a lengthy absence to score by two and a half lengths from Benefit Ben (5/1).

The task of the Champs Elysees gelding was made easier when the favourite Never Present crashed out at the second last when holding the lead, and that left Finn to boot home his tenth winner of the season.

The Milestone Bloodstock Ltd owned gelding will now head to the sales as Keith Cogley explained the 357-day break.

“He was very immature last year,” he said. “The break has done him the world of good and he seems a much better horse now. He jumps well and liked a bit of nice ground.”

Division two saw the Monbeg Syndicate, Donnchadh Doyle and Brian Lawless bring up their double as La Vega Moon (3/1 favourite) nabbed the pace-setting Inca (4/1) after the last to score by a length and three quarters.

The Pether’s Moon gelding was quick at the last and showed a good turn of foot with connections reporting a sales date as the next port of call.

Lucky Mandilou makes merry

THE five-year-old and upwards mares’ maiden featured the third divide of the afternoon with division one going to the Aidan Fitzgerald-trained Mandilou (7/2) under Troy Walsh, however she had lady luck on her side.

Looking destined for third coming to the last, the leading Scene Stealer crashed out at the last when in front and took out the pursuing Knockaneleigh Girl, handing victory to the Ashling Daly-owned daughter of Fame and Glory.

“She was lucky, but she deserved that as she’s been knocking on the door,” Fitzgerald said. “She finished third in the confined at Borris behind two horses that won at the Punchestown Festival. She is owned in partnership by my wife Aishling and Ed Pender.”

Clear-cut affair

Division two was a much more clear-cut affair, as Jack Hendrick made up for the final-fence fall of Scene Stealer when he steered the Sean Doyle-trained Similar Story (5/2 joint-favourite) to an easy 12-length victory.

The daughter of Mahler, carrying the colours of the handler’s brother Gearoid, went clear before two out and had matters well in control when Orbys River crashed out leaving Jetaway To Getaway to fill the runner-up spot.

“She is a nice filly with a good pedigree, her dam is a sister to Time For Rupert,” the winning owner stated. “We always liked her, and she was very good there. We’ll go to the sales now.”

The older geldings’ maiden saw the well backed Alvarez Eclipse (4/5 - Evens favourite) give Jack Hendrick his hat-trick under a fine waiting ride.

The son of Double Eclipse was produced at the last and asserted on the run-in to score by a length and a half from Paidin Beag.

Winning handler Declan Queally has one eye on a track career for Gerard Cummins charge. “He’s a hardy kind of a horse. I think he’ll come on from that, we haven’t got him that long. We might go for a maiden hurdle next.”

Focus takes aim

for another success

THE open race saw Focus Point (Evens favourite) make a quick re-appearance after finishing second in the hunters chase at Down Royal six days previously, but favourite backers never had an anxious moment as the Robin Des Champs gelding made every yard of the running under Dan Hyde to score by an easy 10 lengths.

Sporting the well-known yellow silks with a black sash of Mrs Trish Hyde and trained by the winning rider’s father Tim, this was a real family affair as the gelding notched up a fourth points success.

He jumped brilliantly and was much too good for Special Prep who filled the runner-up spot.

Connections were unfazed by the quick turnaround with the handler stating: “He is such a brilliant jumper and has a good constitution, we will have a bit of fun with him hunter chasing next year. He might run in one more open.”

Devilsinthedetail (C. Bowe): This white-faced son of Laverock made a very pleasing start to his career as he chased home the well-regarded Irelands Call.

From the family of Merry People and Merry Masquerade, he is a graduate of the Tattersalls May sale. He jumped superbly throughout and stayed on gamely to the line. Building on this debut, he will be of interest next time.