THIS Kilkenny Foxhounds meet at Borris House proved a popular venue of choice for handlers, with 105 of 239 entries taking up their engagement, resulting in a bumper nine-race programme.

Fresh from a brace at Loughanmore the previous afternoon, Rob James completed a treble, thereby extending his advantage over Barry O’Neill (33-29) in the race to be crowned champion rider.

Breaking new ground by registering a first double in the training ranks, the talented Killane native saddled his initial winner in the opening division of the four-year-old geldings’ maiden, with Moneygarrow (5/2 - 4/1) coming out on top.

A full-brother to five-time track winner Minella Crooner, he got to the front on the approach to the straight and despite flashing his tail when ridden in the closing stages, he came home two lengths clear of fellow newcomer Tom Desjy.

“He wasn’t doing a tap in front but has loads of ability and had loads left,” James said of the Matchmaker Syndicate-owned victor. Again carrying the colours of the Matchmaker Syndicate, James quickly doubled his tally aboard the well-backed Draco Malfoy (3/1 – evens favourite) in the second division.

An encouraging fourth on debut over the course and distance last month, the €58,000 Goffs Arkle Sale purchase had a good battle with Keel Strand in the straight, with just a length separating them at the line. “He is a lovely horse and had a good first run here when he finished fourth. He is a real horse for next year, he is just a little bit weak still,” the winning trainer/rider enthused.

Completed treble

Donning the familiar black and white silks of Matthew Flynn O’Connor, James completed his treble aboard impressive newcomer Sporting Glance (6/4 - 4/5 favourite) in the first division of the five-year-old geldings’ maiden.

Out of Grade 3 winner Analifet, the Coastal Path bay was given a confident ride and despite being hampered four out, he hit the front on the approach to the straight and never came off the bridle, easing to a six-length win.

“Myself and Donnchadh Doyle bought him for €85,000 at the Land Rover Sale and we’ve loved him at home,” Flynn O’Connor revealed.

“We were waiting for a bit of nice ground and he has taken a bit of time as he is a massive horse with a big engine.”

FOR the second successive weekend, Sean Doyle and Jamie Scallan combined for a brace, as they claimed both divisions of the four-year-old auction maiden.

There was a dramatic conclusion to the first split, with the front-running Anunnaki crashing out at the last when narrowly in front.

Coming with what looked a strong challenge at the time, Kadjar Des Mottes (3/1 – 9/2) was subsequently left clear and came home in his own time, with Dynamite Dan 16 lengths adrift in second.

“I got him at the Arkle Sale for €9,000 and he has done nothing but improve since. He’ll make a right little track horse,” successful owner Gearoid Doyle, brother of the winning trainer, explained.

Bought for €20,000 at the Tattersalls May Store Sale, Marcel Magic (5/2 – 3/1) also made the perfect start in the second division.

Prominent throughout, the Monbeg Partnership-owned bay gained an outright advantage on the approach to the straight and kept on well when ridden in the closing stages, coming home two lengths in front of the staying on Another High Five.

Dramatic finish

Doyle and Scallan had to settle for second with Ziggy Wiggy in the opening four-year-old mares’ maiden, with Wings And Wands (5/1) coming out on top after a dramatic finish.

Ridden and trained by Rob James, Blue Velvet was three lengths clear and had the race at her mercy when blundering and unseating at the last.

This resulted in a sprint to the line, and while fifth on the approach to the final fence, the Pierce Power-trained victor stayed on powerfully under Shane O’Rourke, getting up close home to prevail by a neck.

“We got her as a foal for €7,000, and I own her with Andrew Latta,” Power disclosed.

“She has a great pedigree, and her half-sister Ooh Betty is a blacktype mare who was second at Cheltenham.”

EARLIER on the mark at Tattersalls, Inishnabro (4/1 – 5/2 favourite) completed an across-the-card double for Jonathan Fogarty as he impressively dismissed 14-rivals in the second division of the five-year-old geldings’ maiden.

Out of six-time winner Oilily, who was successful in Grade 3 company over hurdles, the bay victor was settled behind the leaders by Conor Moore, getting to the front on the approach to two out.

While he had the race in safe keeping, he was left further clear by the fall of Theatre Tom at the last and eventually came home 10 lengths to the good in the colours of the Gaynestown Stud Partnership.

“His work was good, and Johnny fancied him. I’d imagine he’ll go to the sales now,” Mikey Fogarty, representing his brother, commented.

While sent off an outsider, O’Grady’s Hill (8/1 - 10/1) was another decisive winner, as she routed the opposition in the five-year-old and upward mares’ maiden.

Encountering good ground for the first time, the Brian Dunleavy-ridden bay made virtually all and went on when ridden from two out.

She had eight lengths to spare at the line and was providing owner/trainer Robert Tector with his second success of the weekend, having struck with Sign Again the previous afternoon at Ballysteen.

Completing a clean sweep for Wexford handlers, the Pat O’Rourke-trained Due Course (6/1 - 8/1) made the breakthrough on his eighth start in the concluding six-year-old and upward geldings’ maiden.

Owned by O’Rourke’s wife Phyllis and ridden by their son Jimmy, the Sageburg bay hit the front before two out and kept on well when ridden before the last, holding off the late effort of Rounditoff by two lengths.

Theatre Tom (D. Doyle): This debutant fell at the last when set to finish second to the impressive Inishnabro. Out of Theatre Bird, who won a Grade 3 over flights for Sean Doyle, he is likely to come on plenty for this initial effort and will be a threat to all.