THE eight-time champion lady rider Liz Lalor edged closer to another milestone in her illustrious career when guiding Marinero (4/5 - 1/1 favourite) to victory in last Sunday’s featured ladies’ open at the Co Clare hunt-meeting at Quakerstown.

Success aboard David Christie’s charge in the initial leg of this season’s ITM-sponsored ladies open series moved Lalor onto 108 point-to-point wins, just one shy of the record for a lady rider held by Helen Bryce-Smith.

Following up his triumph in a novice riders’ open at Tattersalls last month, Marinero forged clear on the approach to the straight and only needed to be kept to his work late on to prevail by half a length from a determined Samanntom.

“He’s done very little since his last win, only a couple of bits of work and a bit of loose schooling,” commented Christie.

“Keeping him fresh seems to be the key. I’m thrilled for Liz and she gave him a great ride today, getting him into a lovely rhythm.”

Nice sort

Donnchadh Doyle has commenced the careers of horses such as The Big Breakaway at the North Clare venue and he appears to have another nice sort on his hands in the form of the Rob James-partnered Saint Davy (5/4 - 4/6 favourite), who made light work of his six rivals in the opening four-year-old maiden.

Crying enough

One of five newcomers in the contest, the Balko gelding had many of his rivals crying enough turning into the home straight and ultimately coasted home eight lengths clear of Upagainstit.

“This is a smart horse that we picked up from Peter Vaughan at the Derby Sale last year. He’s always been very straightforward and he picked up very well there,” reflected Doyle of the Monbeg Syndicate-owned French-bred.

Doyle and James brought up a quick brace as second-timer Aubis Walk (4/5 – 1/1 favourite) took the following five-year-old mares’ maiden.

Atoning for what appeared an unlucky defeat when running out at Tattersalls just eight days previously, the daughter of Walk In The Park regained the initiative from Leading Babe at the second from home before drawing clear late on to post an eight-length success over last month’s Loughanmore runner-up What An Ocean.

“We gave this mare a bit of time late last season and it’s worked out. She’s a good-looking filly and it’s great to get her off the mark after last week,” stated Doyle of Aubis Walk, whom he purchased for €28,000 as a store.

Tiara sparkles for Halley

THE five-year-old geldings’ maiden attracted the largest field of the day with 13 runners facing the starter and it was newcomer The Folkes Tiara (4/1 - 5/1) who ultimately fared best under Johnny Barry. Trained by Vincent Halley just outside Kill, Co Waterford, the half-brother to Gordon Elliott’s Grade 3-scorer Frontal Assault dug deep in the closing stages to get the better of the well-touted Jimmy Chou Pecos AA by a length.

“Since we bought this horse as a foal, we’ve always held him in high regard. Johnny was very good on him, he didn’t get there too soon on him as he’s inexperienced. He finished his race very well and has the makings of a good horse,” remarked the winning handler of his father Laurence’s bay.

Local rider Ciara Daffy combined with her fiancé Danny Howard to collect the six-year-old and upwards geldings’ maiden as Likeable Chancer (2/1 - 9/4) obliged on his second start in this sphere.

Having pulled up on his points debut in a Rathcannon open a fortnight previously, the son of Gold Well came with a sustained effort from the penultimate obstacle under Daffy and eventually obliged by four lengths from Winter Carnival.

Sporting the silks of the winning-rider’s mother Annette, the seven-year-old is now set for a return to the track, according to Milltown-Malbay, Co Clare-located handler Howard, who said: “We’re over the moon with that, especially to win here.

“He’s good and honest and probably should have won by now but it’s great he’s finally made the breakthrough.”

Mares give all in a dead-heat

THERE was a gripping finale to the day’s proceedings as the six-year-old and upwards mares’ maiden saw a dead-heat between pointing debutantes Merry Moves (4/1) and Pennywell Girl (1/1 - 5/4 favourite).

Having led from flag fall, the Sam Curling-trained Pennywell Girl very much held the call under Pa King on rounding the home bend only to make an error at the final fence.

Meanwhile, Eoin Mahon was conjuring a tremendous late effort from Leonard MacMahon’s homebred Merry Moves and eroding the deficit in the shadows of the post, the mare bravely joined issue on the line.

It is now probable that the Paurick O’Connor-handled Merry Moves will go to the track, whereas plans are fluid for the Charles Harold-Barry-bred and -owned Pennywell Girl.

Horse To Follow

Lisloran (A. Slattery): This son of Imperial Monarch put in a most pleasing effort when ridden prominently in the five-year-old geldings’ maiden. Ultimately finishing third, this strong staying sort from the family of Russian Regent should claim his maiden before long.