Michael Duggan

CLARE trainer Ronnie O’Leary introduced a smart looking recruit in Hard To Call (7/2) who ran out a good winner of the Minella Hotel & Ballysheehan Stud five and six-year-old geldings’ maiden at last Sunday’s Premier Hunt meeting at Horse and Jockey, Co Tipperary.

Derek O’Connor did the steering aboard this son of Presenting who edged closer to the lead following the departure of long-time leader Icing On The Cake at the third-last fence.

Once safely over the last, Hard To Call stuck to his guns in admirable fashion when galloping on strongly to beat runner-up Star Gesture by three and a half lengths.

Cork-born O’Leary, who trains the winner for his wife Vicky at their Ogonnelloe yard, said: “I fancied him coming here and he did it well. He’s is a very nice horse, Derek had schooled him and liked him a lot. I was slightly worried about the tacky ground as he’s by Presenting and they would prefer it better. He’ll make up into a proper chaser in time.”

O’Connor had earlier initiated a double when taking the opening Meadowview Racing Stables four-year-old maiden aboard Pat Doyle’s 7/2 shot Polymath.

Third on his debut at Tallow, this Gigginstown House Stud-owned youngster by Stowaway hit the front at the final fence and stayed on nicely in the closing stages to beat John Nallen’s Minella Experience by two lengths.

“The experience from Tallow really stood to him today and he’d strengthened up for that as well,” reported Doyle who trains just a stone’s throw from the track at Holycross. “We have always thought an awful lot of him and Derek gave him a brilliant ride. He’ll go out in a field for the summer now.”

Eight went to post in the Horse and Jockey Hotel open lightweight where victory went to the Liz Lalor-ridden Carrigeen Acebo (2/1-3/1).

Punters were treated to a terrific tussle here between runner-up Majestic Oak and Lalor’s mount with a length and a half separating the pair at the line.

Dick Lalor, father of the winning rider, who trains the successful daughter of Indian River for his wife Anne at their Clonmel yard, said: “This mare is a great battler. She wouldn’t be in love with that tacky ground and the rain last night wasn’t ideal. She quickened up well at the end when she had to and we’ll stay pointing with her for now.”

Kilkenny jockey Larry O’Carroll was seen to good effect when bringing the James Barrett-trained Fire (4/1) home in front in the Looby Tyre Sales Ltd confined maiden for novice riders.

Andy Slattery’s Letitshine led into the home straight in this 10-runner contest but Fire found most in the closing stages when powering ahead to beat that rival by two lengths.

Barrett, who is now based at Clonlara in south-east Clare where he has 15 horses on the go, remarked: “This horse was unlucky the last day at Bennettsbridge and it’s great for everyone that he’s won. He is owned by his breeder, Sally Hodgins from Nenagh, who unfortunately could not be here today, but will be thrilled. He’ll make a lovely horse next year.”

The biggest field of the day, 18, went faced the starter in the concluding Limerick Frozen Foods five-year-old and upwards mares’ maiden.

Victory here went to 7/4 favourite Midnight Theatre who eased to the front in the home straight under Kevin Power to beat long-time leader Jodies Miss by five lengths.

Gavin Cromwell trains the winner at his Skyrne, Co Meath yard for owner John Coffey. He said: “This mare had a good run when third on her debut at Oldtown and won very convincingly today. She is pretty decent and we’ll probably have a look at a mares’ bumper for her now.”

Clonmel owner-trainer Liam Casey was on the mark in the Tipperary Horse Trainers’ winner of one where his friendless Asithappens (3/1-10/1) scored under an enterprising ride from James ‘Corky’ Carroll.

A former track performer, Asithappens won his maiden in good style at Rathcannon in the autumn and he followed up here with a hard-fought two-length victory over the fast-finishing Vaxalco.

“I’m delighted to have a winner here at what is such a local track to me,” said Casey. “I didn’t really fancy him at all as I thought the ground was too soft for him, he really needs it better. Corky gave him a peach of a ride and kept him wide in search of nice ground. We’ll probably go to the track with him over the summer.”

HORSE TO FOLLOW

ICING ON THE CAKE (D.E.Prendergast): Established an early lead and was a long way in front heading towards the third-last fence. He came a cropper here which put an end to his run, but seemed to be far from done with at the time. The son of Spadoun had done enough to suggest his turn is not too far away.

Star search

BRITISH-based talent spotter Tom Malone, who heads up Tom Malone Bloodstock Ltd, paid a quick visit to see if he could unearth some future stars, despite the fact that he was heading into a very busy Cheltenham Festival week.

“I flew into Dublin this morning from Southampton and will be heading back from there again tonight,” he said. “I like to get over as often as I can to see those four-year-old maidens in particular. It is important to get a feel for a race as you will learn much more than watching videos and it is all about doing your homework.

“It is much harder now than it used to be as it is so competitive, but finding a nice horse makes it all worthwhile. I have about 25 horses which I sourced running at Cheltenham this week and I’m really looking forward to that.”

Flying form

LIZ Lalor is in flying form at the moment and she was full of praise for her mount, Carrigeen Acebo, following her success in the open lightweight.

“She is a cracking mare and today was her fourth win on the trot this season,” said Ms Lalor. “She is improving all the time and is settling better now than she used to which is an important factor. She showed a nice turn of foot after the last today and that’s my seventh winner of the season.

“I ride out for my dad at home and for Tom Keating as well which keeps me busy all the time. That’s the way I like it.”