PEPPARD’S Castle near Kilmuckridge, Co Wexford made its debut on the point-to-point circuit, playing host to the Island Foxhounds.

Bringing strong winds, Storm Ashley was an unwelcome visitor and undoubtedly contributed to the lack of runners, with just 29 declarations from an original entry of 77.

Clerk of the course, Sean Doyle aptly came away with a double, claiming the opening four-year-old maiden with Island Bridge (5/2 - 4/1).

While newcomer Sheer Raz and Kool Kid were engaged in a protracted tussle from the approach to the second last, they were both usurped by the fast-finishing Order Of St George bay in the final strides.

Ridden by Jamie Scallan, the Monbeg Partnership-owned victor prevailed by just a neck at the line, with his aforementioned rivals dead-heating for second.

Sprinted

“I really fancied him coming here today. I probably gave Jamie the wrong instructions, I thought it was a stiffer track. He sprinted up to the line and he loved the ground,” Doyle reflected.

Providing 19-year-old Cormac Byrne with his first success, Mister Romantic (1/2 - 4/7 favourite) completed the Doyle brace in the concluding six-year-old and upwards maiden.

Also carrying the colours of the Monbeg Partnership, the Mount Nelson gelding made virtually all and, while briefly joined before two out, he went on again approaching the last, seeing off the effort of Goodbyemick by four lengths.

“I’m from Ballindaggin and I started off around this time last year. I’m with Sean full-time,” the winning rider disclosed.

Perfect start

Embarking upon her 18th season between the flags, Maxine O’Sullivan made the perfect start when guiding Ramillies (1/6 - 1/5 favourite) to victory in the three-runner ladies’ open.

A multiple winner of the leading lady riders’ title and the current champion along with Susie Doyle, the Co Cork native gave the David Christie-trained victor a confident ride.

Settled in second after slow jumps early on, the Ramillies and Christie Family Syndicate-owned grey was ridden from the penultimate fence and picked off the front-running Go Another One shortly after the last, with two lengths between them at the line.

“It was very difficult with the wind, but he did it well in the end,” O’Sullivan commented.

THERE was a dramatic conclusion to the five-year-old geldings’ maiden, with Howdoyalikeherhome running out before the second last when in a share of the lead.

This left the always prominent Cheytac (3/1 - 4/1) with an outright advantage and, while his lead was reduced by Gale Force Jet on the run-in, there was a length between them at the line.

Ridden by Bertie Finn and trained by Colin Bowe, the French-bred victor is owned by the Weddings and Wakes Syndicate and was bought by Henrietta Knight for €220,000 at the Tattersalls Derby Sale.

“He made virtually all, as I didn’t want to disappoint him. He fell early in Loughrea the last day, it was just one of those things, but he has strengthened up well over the summer,” Finn remarked.

Finn was narrowly beaten into third on Queen Of The Gales in the four-year-old auction maiden, with Stretchemout (7/4 - 2/1 favourite) just prevailing in this six-runner affair.

Less than four lengths separated the first five home, with the Monbeg Farm Racing Partnership-owned victor in a share of the lead for much of the contest under Jack Hendrick.

While he briefly gained an outright advantage after three out, he was joined again before the next, ultimately finding more on the run-in to hold off the late surge of Tell The Tale by three-quarters of a length.

“She had a good run in Bartlemy, but missed a few fences there. She has strengthened and straightened up over the summer,” winning trainer Cormac Doyle explained.

“She quickened well today and likes soft ground. We picked her up at Goffs last year and she’ll probably head back to the sales now.”

A FIELD of three lined-up for the five and six-year-old mares’ maiden, with outsider Tell Him Nuttin (2/1 - 9/4) supplying Shane Butler with his first win.

Trained in the nearby village of Blackwater by Butler’s uncle David O’Brien, the bay victor is out of six-time track winner Tellthemnuttin, who was a great servant for the late Willie Codd.

Bought for €6,000 as a foal and settled in second by his 24-year-old rider, the five-year-old gained an outright advantage before two out and, while pressed approaching the last, she kept on well in the closing stages to score by three and a half lengths.

“She was tough and consistent last year and she’ll probably head for a winners’ race at Tinahely now,” O’Brien, who is also the winning owner, revealed.

For his part, Butler added: “I only started last year and I’ve had around 25 rides. I’m full-time with James Doyle and spent time with Richie Rath before that.”

Gale Force Jet (Sean Thomas Doyle): Out of a half-sister to Grade 2 winner Alpha Ridge, this €50,000 Tattersalls Derby Sale purchase made good late headway, ultimately going down by a length. Returning from nearly a year out, the Jet Away five-year-old is sure to come on plenty for this effort.