THE final meeting of the year at Bellewstown proved a fruitful one for Joseph O’Brien, with the Carriganog handler continuing his rich vein of form by registering a treble.

The first part of a brace for Dylan Browne McMonagle, Baltray Lady (9/2) got the ball rolling for O’Brien in the opening NewKey Homes Ltd Nursery Handicap.

In first-time blinkers, the Karl Davis and William Drew-owned bay disputed the lead in the early stages, gaining an outright advantage with three furlongs to go.

Soon increasing her lead, the 67-rated victor kept on well when ridden, comfortably holding off the late surge of Now by a length.

“It was her first time in blinkers, so they have probably sharpened her up a little bit,” the winning rider divulged.

Tapley breaks her maiden

O’Brien quickly doubled his tally in the KC Shipping Fillies Maiden, with Edelle Logan’s Miss Tapley coming home a length and three-quarters to the good.

Returned the 11/10 favourite and making the breakthrough on her fifth start, the 78-rated grey raced in second under Wayne Hassett and travelled best with over a quarter of a mile to go.

Soon improving into a share of the lead, she was pushed to the front inside the final furlong and drew clear when ridden close home.

“I tried to keep her on the bridle for as long as I could. When I asked her then just before the road, she picked up well and did it nicely,” Hassett stated afterwards.

Angels on side

Browne McMonagle was back on board for the final O’Brien winner, Prairie Angel in the second division of the Mary Rogers Memorial Handicap.

In the colours of Sean Sweeney and Kieran O’Hare, the Territories chesnut came in for strong market support and was returned the 10/11 favourite from early shows of 4/1.

Never far from the pace before improving to the front with just over a quarter of a mile to go, the 63-rated victor found plenty for pressure inside the final furlong, coming home two and a half lengths to the good.

Bidding to win the race named in memory of his late wife for a third year in a row, Harry Rogers had to settle for second with Gotta Catch’em All.

“She’s learning on the job. I kept it simple and knew she would stay,” the winning rider explained.

GRADUATING from the pony racing scene, Julian Pietropaolo registered his first track success, when guiding Art Of Unity (8/1 from 20s early) to victory in the Dickie McGuinness Handicap.

On what was just his seventh ride, the Irish/Italian teenager settled his mount behind the leaders, easing to the front with a furlong and a half to go.

Trained by Muredach Kelly for his wife Sinead, the nine-year-old responded well when ridden inside the final 150 yards, holding off the late surge of My Girl Sioux by half a length.

“I’m 16 and from Ballynoe, Co Cork. This is what I’ve always wanted to do since I was four or five years old,” the young apprentice commented.

“I took out my licence after being with Joseph (O’Brien) for a few months and I love it there. He is building me up nice and slowly.”

Well-prepared

Preparations provided the father and son team of Andy and Andrew Slattery with success in the first division of the Mary Rogers Memorial Handicap.

Returned an easy-to-back 16/1 chance, the Mastercraftsman three-year-old made virtually all and kept up the gallop when ridden inside the final furlong, coming home two and three-quarters of a length to the good.

“She is working to a higher level at home and I don’t think she was right the last day at Listowel,” Slattery, who trains the winner for his wife Mary, revealed.

“I think she is probably just a bit weak and I might just put her away for next season.”

Johnny Levins was full of praise for Slattery junior, after the success of Private Officer in the Bluegrass Horse Feeds 3yo Handicap.

Getting up in the final strides to prevail by a neck under Joey Sheridan, the Johnny Levins-trained 7/1 chance carried the colours of Damien Kelly.

“Andrew rode him the last day and said to me that he would win on his next run,” Levins disclosed. “I wasn’t as confident, just with the way mine were running, but Andrew got it right.

“He gave him a lovely ride, looked after him and taught him plenty, which was the most important thing.”

POETIC Sound (2/1) is sure to have connections dreaming of even brighter days ahead, after his success in the feature Kilsaran Race.

Owned and bred by John Keaney, the Ger Lyons-trained three-year-old was bidding to follow-up on his breakthrough success at Roscommon.

Sweeping by the front-running Chantilly (11/8 favourite) from the furlong pole, the Colin Keane-ridden victor readily increased his advantage in the closing stages, coming home four lengths clear of Akecheta.

Close call

“He is still a horse that Colin says doesn’t know he is a horse yet. Every race he is improving,” Lyons reflected.

“Hopefully, he will have one more run before we put him away, which will only benefit him for next year.”

There was a much closer conclusion to the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Handicap, with Tom McCourt’s Eastern Wind just coming out on top.

Turned out again quickly after going down by half a length the previous afternoon, the 11/4 chance was one of three vying for the lead from the furlong pole.

With James Ryan in the saddle, the George Ryan and Denise McCourt-owned five-year-old ultimately pulled out that bit more close home, getting the better of Vassula Ryden and Presence by a neck and a short head.

McCourt also saddled The Bog Bank in this six-runner affair, with his rider Alyse Clarke later picking up a hefty 12-day ban for whip offences.