THERE was some stellar fare on offer at Sunday’s Lisgoold fixture at Templenacarriga, and the Pierce Power-trained Burning Ambition made a winning return to action with first-time partner Jack Hendrick in the East Cork Oil novice riders’ open lightweight.

With ideal ground conditions at the United Hunt-sanctioned meeting, Burning Ambition (11/4 - 9/4) was restrained in mid-division as last season’s Tetretema Cup winner Fenno’s Storm tried to make all for Michael Sweeney. The eventual winner moved closer from the fourth last of the 14 fences and he touched down in front over two out.

The seven-year-old, who finished a creditable eighth when sent off favourite in last season’s Cheltenham Foxhunter, appeared set for a comfortable success on the run to the final fence.

Fenno’s Storm howeve rallied to tremendous effect on the flat to get to within a half-length of Burning Ambition at the post. The pair returned 10 lengths clear of the third-placed Western Man.

“He will go for the Thurles hunter chase in a couple of weeks’ time. The two miles, five furlongs of the Aintree Fox Hunters will suit him and that’s a race that we will hopefully be aiming him at this season,” reported Power of his sister-in-law Alexandria Gardner’s winner.

An emotional Power, also loud in his praise of 19-year-old Mayglass native Hendrick, dedicated the victory of Burning Ambition to his close friend Keith Dalton from Tipperary who passed away over the festive period.

The O’Farrell Meats & Mary Ryan five-year-old geldings’ maiden was run at a blistering tempo throughout and the Tom Keating-owned/trained Dolphin Square atoned for his eighth-placed return effort at Ballindenisk last month by springing a mild surprise in the hands of Roger Quinlan.

It’snotcominghome took the 10 runners along until overtaken by Rebel Patriot five out. Dolphin Square (7/1) was still positioned in mid-division on the outer at this stage and he eased ever closer from the third last. The winning son of Shantou picked up the running on the climb from two out but he had just been joined by the patiently ridden Gold Des Bois approaching the final fence.

It was impossible to separate the pair in the air, but Gold Des Bois came to grief on landing and the winner was left clear to dispose of the only other finisher, Song Of The Hunter, by 12 lengths.

The €30,000 graduate of the 2017 Goffs Land Rover Sale, an own-brother to Henry de Bromhead’s three-time winner Game Of War, is likely to be seen in new colours when running again.

The Hurleys SuperValu six-year-old and upwards mares’ maiden attracted the biggest field of the day in 11 starters and the Jimmy Mangan-trained The Best In Town came home a clearcut winner with Johnny Hurley.

ability

The Best In Town (9/2), who showed plenty of ability by coming third for former handler Sean Thomas Doyle at Courtown last season, was always positioned close to the pace and she went to the head of affairs before the penultimate obstacle.

The winning daughter of Flemensfirth was in command after two out and, with runner-up Getaway Totherock erring at the last, the Conna raider ultimately obliging by six lengths. The six-year-old, owned by Mangan’s wife Mary, is likely to be prepared for a tilt at the coveted Gain Mares’ Final in Ballynoe.

Colin Bowe and Barry O’Neill, fresh from their two-timer at Dromahane the previous Sunday, combined to collect the Tattersalls Ireland five-year-old mares’ maiden with well-supported favourite Streets Of Fire.

Indeed, last month’s Boulta runner-up Streets Of Fire (evens - 4/5 favourite) was the only one of six contestants with previous experience and she led from the fourth fence. While Trick N’ Trump momentarily threatened danger on the run to two-out, the Milestone Stables inmate readily powered clear before the final fence to beat Batt O’Connell’s representative by 10 lengths.

The daughter of Milan is owned by former amateur rider Tom Cloke and is now likely to be offered for sale.

The Kevin O’Sullivan-owned/trained grey Darius Des Sources atoned for pulling up when favourite on his debut at Rathcannon in November by winning the AMAC six-year-old geldings’ maiden in ridiculously easy fashion.

CONTENTION

Darius Des Sources (5/2) was waited with at the rear of the six-runner field and he could be called the most likely winner on the descent to two out as he stylishly made his way into contention for Eoin O’Brien.

The winning French-bred by Irish Wells picked up the running soon afterwards and a final fence blunder didn’t make the slightest difference as he accounted for first-timer Robin Is Ready by five lengths.

Touch Tight proved an appropriately named winner of the closing Kepak seven-year-old and upwards geldings’ maiden as he narrowly emerged triumphant in a gripping three-way tussle, much to the dismay of the 12 bookmakers present.

Touch Tight (7/4 - 5/4 favourite), providing absent handler Robert Tyner with an across-the-card double as he was also on the mark with Avoid De Master at Mainstown, took closer order with James Hannon on the run to two out.

Sporting the silks of the Traveling Light Syndicate, he assumed command in the very dying strides to dismiss Bright Rhett by a head in what was the closest finish of the afternoon.

The longtime leader Verticalpebble returned a further one and a half lengths adrift in third spot.

HORSES TO FOLLOW

GOLD DES BOIS (P. Fahey): This French-bred newcomer by Full Of Gold was ridden with restraint on his debut in the five-year-old geldings’ maiden and he moved ever closer from two out to hold every chance upsides eventual winner Dolphin Square when falling at the final fence.

He will surely win a maiden point, and track success is also bound to feature on his itinerary.

Disappointing number of entries

THERE was a disappointing entry of just 70 at this meeting with 47 runners ultimately meeting their engagements.

Chairman Michael Moore and his hard-working committee are to be lauded for producing perfect racing ground.

Remembering Timmy O’Callaghan

FITTINGLY, there was a minute’s silence observed for the 1978 point-to-point champion rider Timmy O’Callaghan, who passed away last March and is buried in the Templenacarriga cemetery located across the road from Walter and Nora Cotter’s point-to-point course.

O’Callaghan’s widow Helen has meritoriously acted as this meeting’s secretary since the fixture was first staged at Top Cross back in 1985.