AS has been the theme in recent years, the four-year-old maiden divided on the day, resulting in a seven-race card for the Newry Harriers. Having had a winner the previous evening at Kilbeggan, Sean Doyle confirmed his return to form when taking the second division of this race with Danceingwiththewind (8/1 - 10/1).
The son of Jeremy was not winning out of turn here having shown previous promise when finishing fifth on his debut at Borris, a maiden which has subsequently produced a host of winners. On just his second start, the Monbeg Partnership-owned gelding was given a positive ride by James Walsh and appeared to be holding the advantage when Kearney Hill departed at the final fence leaving Steinkraus to come home eight lengths behind the winner.
An €18,000 purchase at last season’s inaugural Tattersalls May Sale, the winner will likely be sporting new colours when he reappears.
Rob James was on the score board in the opening division of the four-year-old maiden aboard Evander (2/1 - 4/1), who made a winning debut in the Monbeg Syndicate colours.
The son of Arcadio, who was led out unsold at last year’s Tattersalls Derby Sale, certainly showed a likable attitude here, fending off the challenge of Battle Of Actium by a length and a half having got up in the dying strides.
The previously placed Clondaw Pretender was beaten just half a length further back in third under Shane Fitzgerald.
From the family of Riverside City and Double Symphony, the debutant is trained by Donnchadh Doyle, who was absent on the day having been in action at the Cheltenham Sale the previous day, and this gelding is also likely to be sold.
DOUBLE
Barry O’Neill and Colin Bowe enjoyed a double, with the duo opening their account in the five-year-old geldings’ maiden with the previously placed Cremant (5/2 favourite). The gelding was also providing his sire, Getaway with a double on the day and the Coolmore sire has now been responsible for 30 winners between the flags this season.
Sporting the increasingly familiar colours of Paul McKeown, owner of former Cheltenham bumper winner Relegate, the bay picked up the running after the penultimate obstacle before pulling clear to win by eight lengths. McGarry shaped with plenty of promise back in second under Jamie Codd on what was his debut.
Alice O’Byrne (4/1 - 5/1) brought up the quick double for Barry O’Neill and Colin Bowe when running out a convincing winner of the five-year-old and upwards mares’ maiden. Carried out on her last start at Courtown, the daughter of Vinnie Roe enjoyed a clearer passage on this occasion, quickening away from the second last to see off Raddle And Hum by an easy eight lengths.
A €5,000 purchase at the Tattersalls August Sale back in 2017, the successful mare is out of a full-sister to Vics Canvas who ran a huge race to finish third in the 2016 Grand National. The five-year-old is owned by Brian Kenny from Wicklow and may now contest a winners’ race if not sold.
HISTORY
Kruzhlinin (1/2 favourite) made point-to-point history when becoming the first horse to win nine times between the flags in one season, an occasion which was made all the more special as his owner Camilla Sharples was on hand to witness the 12-year-old’s success. As a result the Gordon Elliott-trained gelding now goes one win ahead of Longhouse Music in the race to be champion pointer.
Kruzhlinin with owner Camilla Sharples after winning the open lightweight. Photo Healy Racing
Having hit the front after the penultimate obstacle in the open, the son of Sholokhov just had to be shaken up by Jamie Codd in the closing stages to see off Anseanachai Cliste by three-lengths. Interestingly, the winner reappeared the following afternoon at Fairyhouse where he finished second in the novice riders’ open.
Jamie Codd also enjoyed a brace on the day, with Amalfi Doug (6/4 favourite) bringing up the double in the older geldings’ maiden. Having his first start for the Dreapers, the son of Network was getting off the mark at the 10th attempt having previously been in the care of Tom Lacey, Sam Thomas and Dan Skelton when competing under rules in Britain.
Having made much of the running, the Leon Tormey-owned grey found plenty for pressure in the closing stages to see off Bronco Bill by two and a half lengths. The nine-year-old may now revert back to exploit his handicap mark under rules.
The concluding winner of one contest saw Derek O’Connor produce a masterful ride aboard the Colin McKeever-trained Getaman(2/1 - 3/1). Given a patient ride, the six-year-old still had much of the field in front of him with three to jump, having jumped the final fence in third, the Portrush maiden winner responded well to his riders urgings, getting up in the shadow of the post to win.
Gold Time lost little in defeat a length back in second and Clondaw Nell was only beaten a head for third. Winning owner Wilson Dennison was away on holidays in Spain and his daughter Catriona was on hand to collect the winning trophy.
McKeown on duty
FORMER jockey Jason McKeown was on duty as a starter and was kept busy with seven races on the day. The Newry native is now an equine dentist but enjoyed many good days around this unique track, riding 11 winners here including a treble in May 2008 and doubles in October 2008 and May 2010.
Getaway graduate
WHILE Ian Buchanan was stewarding at the fixture, he may have been forgiven for keeping an eye on the 1.50 at Sandown before racing. The Antrim native purchased the winner of the Grade 3 novices’ hurdle, Getaway Trump, as a yearling for €10,000 back in 2014. The son of Getaway was subsequently bought by Vincent Halley who produced him to win a maiden before selling the now 147-rated hurdler to Paul Nicholls.
Northern title
JAMIE Codd enjoyed a double on the day aboard Kruzhlinin in the open and Amalfi Doug in the older maiden. This moved the Wexford three winners clear in his bid to become northern champion, although with both Rob James and Noel McParlan on the 11-winner mark with four northern race days still to run, the title is all to play for.
HORSE TO FOLLOW
RADDLE AND HUM (J.T.R. Dreaper) She made a very pleasing debut in the five-year-old and upwards mares’ maiden to split two far more experienced individuals.
The daughter of Milan should take plenty of beating when she next appears.