THE Westmeath Foxhounds meeting at Castletown-Geoghegan on Sunday saw plenty of local hunt success as Knockiel Synge (6/4 - 2/1 favourite) provided Clerk of the Scales Hugh Mulvihill with a well-deserved success in the adjacent hunt winners’ race.

This 10-year-old son of Morozov has been keeping good company of late over the banks and scored his second point success of the season following a maiden win in a similar contest at Umma House in October.

He was always towards rear and made smooth progress before three out, staying on gamely from the back of the last to fend off the persistent challenge of runner-up Fire Force.

“We have won it a couple of times for Hughie which is great as he’s local to here. He has been running well over the banks they seem to have sparked him up again. He will go to the Ladies Cup next where hopefully we can get a good day out in Punchestown with him,” remarked handler Peter Flood.

A second local success came for on-course vet Mark Fagan as homebred Deravarra Rose (2/1 - 9/4 favourite) justified favouritism as she took the five-year-old and upwards mares’ maiden in facile fashion.

This six-year-old daughter of Soldier Of Fortune jumped with great fluency throughout disputing the lead from the sixth, and she asserted her superiority over her rivals as she lengthened impressively down the straight to beat a staying on Notnoweve by eight lengths under Barry O’Neill.

Fabulous job

Winning owner Fagan commented: “She did a bit with myself last year and the year before and when my daughters were busy competing, I dropped her into Ciaran’s [Murphy] and haven’t picked her up! He has been doing a fabulous job - she’s been very consistent having been placed almost every time. I am delighted she got her head in front there.”

The opening contest of the saw 16 four-year-olds declared, forcing a divide. The first division went the way of well-touted On The Bayou (5/2 - 2/1 favourite), a debutant son of Afinnisea who put in a professional display of jumping for Jack Hendrick.

Always appearing to have matters under control from the entrance to the home straight, the pair bounded clear of the more experienced Nelson County to score by eight lengths.

Acquired for €55,000 by the Monbeg Partnership at Tattersalls Derby sale 2023, the winning handler Sean Doyle stated: “He’s a very nice horse who absolutely loved that ground, we really fancied him coming here. He will now go to the Cheltenham sales where hopefully he will have a bright future ahead.”

Another smart newcomer was unveiled in the second division as Koktail Brut (evens - 3/2 favourite), a debutant son of Cokoriko, put in a very impressive performance on debut, providing the Paddy Turley yard with their first four-year-old success since the turn of the year.

A half-brother to Grade 3 Munster National winning Gevrey, he fenced fluently throughout landing with the advantage at the back of two out, and he asserted his authority over his rivals on the turn to the straight.

He was challenged on the approach to the last by fellow debutant Hillwalk who was staying on gamely when exiting at the final obstacle and ultimately won by a facile 25 lengths in the colours of handler’s wife Mary Turley.

A €100,000 Goffs Land Rover sale acquisition, he stormed clear shortly after this second-last fence to account for Synchronist by a widening 12 lengths and give Donnchadh Doyle a weekend double.

“I think he’s very nice, he’s a big raw horse so we took time with him, and it’s paid off,” James said.

“I was very impressed with that performance, I was cantering going to the second last and when he heard everybody riding in behind, he was getting keener. I had them all well covered going to the last and there was still plenty left.”

The six-year-old and upwards geldings’ maiden was the sole contest of the day where the favourite did not score.

Baunmore Jet (5/2 - 6/1) provided Lucas Williams with his first career success on what was his fifth ride.

This seven-year-old son of Jet Away stayed on resolutely in the closing stages in the colours of Joe Lynch to score by half-a-length from Complete Fantasy (2/1 - 5/1).

Handler John Staunton’s representative Esther Wright, stated: “I’m delighted, he won that very well. He was sixth on his previous start and he came on for the run. Lucas had his first ride on him and that was his first winner, so we are delighted for him. He is entered in Goresbridge sale on Thursday.”

WINGED leader added to his already illustrious profile by recording his 18th point success here.

The 10-year-old son of Winged Leader relished the stamina test as he fended off all rivals to score by six lengths from the former 150-rated chaser The Bosses Oscar.

Owned by John Hegarty and Jennifer O’Kane, this legend of the point field now heads the race for champion point-to-pointer title with his fifth success of the season under Shane Cotter.

“It’s great to see it he’s just been an absolute hero for us, he is such a great servant for John and Jenny who own him, and we couldn’t ask for any more of him,” the handler’s son and namesake stated.

“He is a legend of the point-to-point field. A special mention must go to Shane, he is a great talent and I’m sure he will go on to do great things, but he gave him another brilliant ride.

“He’s 100% for us but at the same time you still have to go out and do the job and he’s doing that.”

Hillwalk (J. Fogarty): was putting in a brilliant debut performance when exiting at the final obstacle as he stayed on gamely. This son of Ocovango will be one to watch next time if not sold on the back of this effort.