AN overdue first success over hurdles for the talented Julies Stowaway came the seven-year-old’s way after he came out the right side of a stirring finish to the maiden hurdle over just short of two-and-a-half miles.
A very smart bumper horse and fourth in a top-class staying handicap at the Dublin Racing Festival, the Margaret Mullins-trained Julies Stowaway (6/4) boasted a level of form that would entitle him to take beating in most maiden hurdles at this time of year.
However, the Michael O’Callaghan-owned gelding was made to pull out all the stops by the lightly-raced Fissa.
The pair were almost inseparable from the second last and neither could be faulted for their efforts but Danny Mullins’ mount got the verdict by a nose.
“It’s good to get that done and he is a novice for the whole season now which is great,” said the rider.
“Giving away the bumper winner’s penalty is always difficult but hopefully it’s onwards and upwards.”
Just under four years after winning a maiden hurdle at this track, the Michael Winters-trained Doldido (20/1) ended a lengthy spell in the wilderness in the handicap hurdle over just short of two and a half miles.
The front-running grey, who is also owned by Winters, produced a tremendously game front-running effort for Luke Dempsey and turned back one rival after another with the last challenge coming from the strong-travelling market leader Onenightmoreihope.
The latter simply could not find a way past though and went down by three-quarters of a length.
Bumper win
Willie Mullins and Patrick Mullins combined for what is sure to be the first of many bumper triumphs this season as Zuma Rock (2/1) bagged the concluding mares’ bumper.
The Ray Grehan-owned daughter of Shirocco struggled in two runs last year but produced a much better run on her first outing since September.
She responded well to pressure to get the better of Cool Rain for a length and a quarter triumph.
THE new National Hunt season may only be in its infancy but John Ryan has already enjoyed a fine time of things this term and he secured his second double of the campaign at this fixture.
Ryan’s first success came from a deserving source in the Danny Mullins-ridden Bonarc in the mares’ maiden hurdle. This daughter of Arcadio won a Roscommon maiden last summer only to lose the race on a technicality but she made no mistake on her first outing since October as she dominated this race from the front.
The Mules & Tools Racing Syndicate-owned seven-year-old crossed the line seven lengths ahead of Raven Rule and will now head down the novice hurdle route.
Ryan’s double was completed by the 25/1 chance Fort William in the rated novice hurdle where jockey Shane Fitzgerald made his first ride as a professional a winning one.
Stiff task
A 14-race maiden coming into this, the Michael Daly-owned and bred gelding looked to face a stiff enough task but, unlike some of his rivals, his jumping held up.
The favourite The Cathal Don blundered away his chance two out when holding every chance and the second favourite Don Diablo came down after the last when vying for the lead.
The exit of Don Diablo left Fort William in the lead and he went on to defeat Coulonces by two and a quarter lengths. The successful rider has 53 victories to his name in point-to-points and was the first rider since Barry O’Neill to win back-to-back novice titles in points in 2017 and 2018.
Liz Doyle’s Feel Des Mottes, who won a Killarney maiden hurdle on his Irish debut two years ago, got back on track in the 80-102 rated handicap hurdle over an extended two-miles.
The Wogan’swood Syndicate-owned and Sean Flanagan-ridden six-year-old didn’t help his cause with a few early mistakes but warmed to his task steadily and finished strongly to defeat General Clermont by nine and a half lengths.
Delight for Donoghue with first winner
IT was a day to cherish for former jockey Alan Donoghue who sent out his first winner on the track as a trainer when Sky Tenor bagged the second division of the 80-95 rated handicap hurdle over just short of two-and-a-half miles.
The 14/1 shot was notable by the ease with which he loomed up to challenge with two to jump and he asserted in good style for J.J. Slevin between the last two flights to pull 11 lengths clear.
“We’ve had a few point-to-point winners and mainly buy and sell horses,” remarked Donoghue, who has 20 horses under his care and trains the winner for the Sky Tenor Racing Partnership.
“I want to say a big thanks to my partner Danielle Deveney who does all the work with this horse. It is only myself and herself and I couldn’t do it without her. It’s great to get the first winner on board and J.J. gave him an unbelievable ride.”
The first division of the 80-95 rated handicap hurdle went to Punters Poet who got off the mark after 18 previous attempts. Matthew Smith’s charge had lost his way somewhat after some good runs at Dundalk early last winter but bounced back under a canny waiting ride from Keith Donoghue who produced him to head Allora Yeats after the last for a half-length triumph.
The Poetic Ten Syndicate-owned gelding had been backed from as big as 18/1 earlier in the day into 9/1.
“He has plenty of gears and got a great ride from Keith and I’m delighted for the owners too. They are from around Tullamore and have put a lot of time and money into the horse,” commented Smith.