THE Tipperary Foxhounds hosted the second of three fixtures scheduled for Lisronagh this season, with ground conditions resulting in the second fence being omitted on all circuits in the six races down for decision.

There was a dramatic conclusion to the four-year-old geldings’ maiden, with Fiddaun (2/1 – 6/4 favourite) providing owner/trainer John Staunton with his second success of the weekend in this age grade.

Derek O’Connor saddled two in this six-runner affair but he notably opted to partner the successful son of Getaway, who is named after his native townland.

Always towards the head of affairs, the €20,000 Goffs Arkle Sale purchase was locked together with Rockonliam from three out. While first off the bridle on the approach to the last, the winner was left clear by the fall of Rockonliam and he went on from there to account for Fortunate Fella by four lengths.

Confident

“He is a quick horse and had done nice work around Boulta and up the Curragh as well. We were fairly confident coming here,” Staunton divulged. “Our winner yesterday (Small Town Hero at Farmacaffley) is tough out, but this one probably has more class.”

On the mark at Punchestown the previous afternoon, Ian McCarthy also registered his second win of the weekend, with Jo Coko (6/4 – evens favourite) justifying market confidence in the five-year-old geldings’ maiden.

Out of a three-time French victor, the Cokoriko bay was given a patient ride by Rob James, improving into a share of the lead before two out.

He gained an outright advantage before the last and needed to be kept up to his work on the run-in, seeing off the persistent effort of fellow debutant Epic West by half a length.

“He is a lovely horse and I’ve liked him all along. He just took a little bit of time,” McCarthy, who trains the winner for his wife Nicki, revealed. “He is a very straightforward horse and hopefully he’ll head to the sales now.”