BLUSTERY conditions greeted those who attended the picturesque Bellharbour point-to-point where all onlookers were treated to some smart prospects and head-bobbing finishes.

The opening contest of the card and one of the opening four-year-old maidens of 2024 went the way of That’s Nice (2/1 - 5/2).

The winner was the benefactor of a confident Derek O’Connor ride in the all-conquering famous green and gold silks of J.P. McManus.

This Walk In The Park filly boasts a fine pedigree being out of Bloody Mary, who was placed third at the 2016 Cheltenham Festival in the Grade 2 Mares’ Novice Hurdle, and having been bred by McManus’ wife Noreen, the result was likely all the sweeter.

Travelling strongly throughout, she overcame hanging slightly off the final bend to quicken smartly all the way to the line, prevailing by a neck to get the better of long-time leader Unknown Entity.

“Paul Cawley is responsible for all her behaviour, the way she schooled, travelled, and jumped, I really owe him a debt gratitude,” O’Connor said.

“A homebred so that’s even more pleasing. I don’t know where she will go next now I have my job done with her, she’s got her education, so it be a lucky trainer that will get her.”

Fine finish

Despite only four runners heading to post for the five-year-old geldings’ maiden it produced a fine finish with two smart sorts locking horns from the back of the second last right the way to the line.

It was the Donnchadh Doyle-trained Jakar Du Moulin (evens favourite) who prevailed by a length and a half in the Monbeg Syndicate colours over the Sam Curling-owned and trained Better Off Alone.

A clear standout in the parade ring, this handsome son of Kapgarde, who was bought for €105,000 at the Tattersalls Derby sale, took a positive step towards rewarding his connections under Rob James. “He’s a very good-looking horse, he just took a bit of time to come to himself,” Doyle said.

“He stayed at it very well and Rob was delighted with him, he will make a nice stayer. He was a little bit green early on, he was waiting for someone to come up beside him but when he got going Rob said he got a great feel. He will probably head to the next sales now.”

Market support

Ryehill (4/6 favourite) looked to be justifying his strong market support under Lee Shanahan and getting the better of Miners Bridge when that rival came down at the last when holding every chance in the winner-of-one which allowed him to run out a 30-length winner over Prophet’s Corner.

This Ross O’Sullivan-trained son of Mahler is ever-consistent having run five times, never finishing out of the top two, to the delight of his owners, Conor Brett and the Galway men of the Outback Syndicate.

“We will probably go down the winners’ or hunter chase route now, there’s a maiden hunter chase in March so we will probably aim him at that,” O’Sullivan said.

LOCAL trainer Norman Lee unleashed what looked a promising sort on debut in the five-year-old and upwards mares’ maiden in the form of Siog Gael (4/1 - 6/1).

This bay daughter of Malinas overhauled the long-time leader Jasmine D’Airy two out and showed a fine turn of foot in the home straight to extend her advantage under Pa King approaching the last, ultimately crossing the line four and a half lengths clear of her rivals.

A shrewd purchase as a yearling for just €3,200, she carried the colours of winning owner Sarah Hogan to victory.

“There was plenty of talking about the second horse here today and we said we would let our one do the talking,” Lee said.

“She a very good filly, she’s the best I have in the year. She’s a great filly to work, she always pleases you. Whether she’s sold now or not is another story but she’s very decent whoever will own her next.”

Pa King sealed his double aboard the Willie Murphy-trained Grange Soldier (4/1) in the colours of one of Murphy’s chief supporters the O’Toole family.

Second at Ballycrystal two weeks earlier, King sent his mount to the front down the back straight on the final circuit in what proved a race-winning move, as they galloped resolutely to the line to fend off the efforts of Lord Desart and Dan Hyde to prevail by a neck.

“He’s after putting three good runs together now, he’s a typical Soldier Of Fortune, he needed a bit of time and he’s a very nice horse,” Murphy said.

“The owners are great people they have four horses with me and this is their second winner this season. I couldn’t wish for better neighbours not to mind better owners. We probably struggle without them.”

OPEN lightweight line-ups probably don’t come much better than what assembled at the post in Bellharbour.

Lifetime Ambition (evens favourite), once rated 158 over fences for Jessica Harrington, and multiple Grade 1-winner Samcro headed a small but select field of four rivals that was packed with quality.

The decisive move of the contest was made by Susie Doyle when she sent her mount Lifetime Ambition to the lead at the halfway point.

Although Samcro drew level at the top of the track, he had no more to offer in the home straight as he dropped to third, with serial mares’ open winner La Feline splitting the pair to take second close home.

A fine round of jumping and a brave galloping performance from the front saw the Pat Doyle-trained victor carry the silks of Linda Mulcahy and Mary Woldridge to a three-length success enhancing their aim of heading to Aintree in April for the Foxhunters.

Unknown Entity (P.M.J. Doyle): This son of Kingston Hill looked a smart prospect in the four-year-old maiden as he was only headed close home. Having made all the running, a slight error at the last saw him loose valuable momentum and untimely looked to have cost him the race.