THE Jonathan Fogarty stable continues to prove a force to be reckoned with, landing both divisions of the four-year-old geldings’ maiden in the hands of Barry Stone, bringing the stable’s tally of victories in the age division to eight this season.

Starmount (4/1 - 3/1), a half-brother to Paul Nicholls’ dual Grade 1-winner Stage Star, had fallen on debut at Damma House in November, while still in contention. That initial experience stood to him, as he bounced back from that misfortune to record a pillar-to-post victory, dictating the pace as he fenced most convincingly.

The son of Mount Nelson asserted smartly into the straight to score by two lengths from newcomer The Hatchet, as he clocked the fastest time of the day in the colours of the Gaynestown Stud Partnership.

Kalkbrennar (2/1 - 5/4 favourite) impressed on debut to bring up a quick double for the same connections in the second division of the four-year-old geldings’ maiden. This son of Getaway tracked the long-time leader, Riskaway, throughout the race.

When asked for an effort approaching the final obstacle, he came under pressure, while a length adrift of the leader.

Battled valiantly

However, Kalkbrennar responded admirably, battling valiantly to the line and pulling away to win by a length and a half.

The victorious handler stated: “They are both lovely horses, who I have thought a lot of; they’ve done all their homework well at home, so I was expecting big performances today.”

The opening contest of the day saw 11 four-year-old mares head to post, eight of whom were making their debut, and it was the only race in which fence three was not bypassed on all circuits due to the low-lying sun.

The Caherty operation of Philip McBurney, Gerald Quinn and Noel McParlan continued their rich-vein of form by taking this four-year-old mares’ maiden with Lisnamurrican (4/1 - 5/2).

A £70,000 daughter of Walk In The Park, and out of a four-time winning dam, Lisnamurrican made full use of her previous experience, fencing and travelling with great professionalism.

When asked for her effort, she quickened smartly into the straight, overcoming the short-priced favourite, Oldschool Outlaw by two-and-a-half lengths.

Winning owner Philip McBurney stated: “She stepped forward from her fourth-place effort at Loughanmore in the spring. She was very green that day, but it turned out to be a good race.

“Gerald [Quinn] really liked her, so he took his time and it’s paid dividends today. We came here with big expectations, and she has gone and delivered.”

BORORA RIVER (1/1/ - 5/4 favourite) justified her position at the top of the market to provide Finn Tegetmeier with his first point-to-point winner.

The daughter of Golden Lariat had a couple of starts on the track for trainer Noel Meade, without making a significant impact.

However, she showed improvement on her initial point-to-point outing, finishing second in a match contest at Kirkistown last month.

The five-year-old stepped forward for this outing as she seemed to relish the softer underfoot conditions here, asserting smartly into the straight to score by a neck from Justlikejessejames (6/1) in the colours of the Newcastle Corner Syndicate.

“I had my first bumper winner for Noel [Meade] last year,” Tegetmeier said. “He has been very good to me, and this is my first point-to-point winner, so I’m delighted. She may head to a winners’ contest next.”

The five-year-old geldings’ maiden went the way of Matchmaker Syndicate’s Create The Future (2/1 favourite).

Justify favoritism

The son of Walk In The Park brought plenty of placed form to the table, having finished third on his previous start behind an impressive winner. He built on that performance to justify favoritism on his sixth start between the flags, beating Jimbo Sport by two lengths in the hands of Eoin Staples for Wexford handler, Rob James.

The Monbeg Partnership’s Willitgoahead (4/5 - 4/6 favourite) continued his upward trajectory as the Sean Doyle-trained six-year-old brought impressive form to the race, having readily beaten Lifetime Ambition on his previous start at Tinahely in open company.

He stamped his authority in the winners’ contest under Jamie Scallan, beating Jim The Wolf by one and a quarter lengths.

Winning connection, Gearoid Doyle commented: “He’s a lovely horse to have, as he is continuing to improve with each outing. He will head to a hunters’ chase over the Christmas period and will hopefully qualify for Cheltenham down the line. It would be nice for the team to have a runner.”

WITH no fewer than 16 horses being declared for the finale, the novice riders’ older maiden, it was the second race on the card that required a divide. The opening division went the way of Western Wishes (4/1 - 3/1) for owner-handler Patrick Ward.

The son of Westerner set the pace for much of the race, before being joined at two-out. However, a quicker jump at the final obstacle allowed him to regain the upper hand, staying on resolutely into the straight for Eoghan FInegan to beat Sixhandsinmypockets (3/1) by one and a half lengths.

“He’s my only horse in training,” Ward said. “He had his first run for me at Kirkistown. I’m from Co Down and just have him for a bit of enjoyment for the family, so I’m delighted. We’ll head to a winners’ race next.”

It was a red-letter day for 17-year-old Sam Hamilton from Co. Down, as the son of former jockey Brian Hamilton landed the second division aboard Yewtree Hill (4/1), a horse owned, bred and trained by his grandfather Brian.

Settled towards the rear of the field, he caught the eye before two-out, travelling smartly and producing a well-timed challenge entering the home straight.

The seven-year-old son of Kalanisi quickened to the line, beating Relax To The Max by a length.

This victory adds to Yewtree Hill’s proven versatility, having already enjoyed success on the eventing circuit, and is sure to continue providing plenty of fun for connections.

The Hatchet (I. Donoghue): He performed most creditably on debut, finishing two lengths behind an impressive winner.

This son of Vadamos was able to keep pace with the victor until the entrance to the home straight and battled resolutely to the line. With natural progression, he is sure to improve from this outing.