THERE were some noteworthy performances at Sunday’s Killeagh Harriers meeting in Carrigarostig and Ontheropes hinted that he should experience a productive season by making a victorious return to point duty under handler Tom Mullins’ 20-year-old son Charlie Mullins in the open.

Ontheropes (3/1-7/2), who recorded the most prestigious of his two track successes by winning the 2021 renewal of the Munster National at Limerick off a mark of 141 when trained by the elder Mullins’ brother Willie Mullins for Cheveley Park Stud, was held up off the pace.

Grange Island and Lord Of Kerak vied for supremacy up front from six out, until Vado Forte swept into the lead on the descent after the fourth-last of the 15 obstacles. The 11-year-old moved second two out and he surged past Vado Forte approaching the last, duly dismissing Evan Nugent’s mount by two lengths with Grange Island acquitting himself well, a further six lengths adrift in third.

First-time Carrigarostig visitor Charlie Mullins, who was posting a second points victory, reported of his mother Helen’s Ontheropes: “My uncle Willie Mullins gave him to me five months ago and said that I could have him for hunter chasing. I was a bit worried about fitness coming here and we will try and win another open with him now.”

Donie Murphy bred Ontheropes and the Walshtown-based operator sent out Thethirstyfarrier (3/1-4/1) to capture the six-year-old and upwards geldings’ maiden under his son James Murphy, who also owns the triumphant bay.

Close to the pace

Thethirstyfarrier, having finished second on his penultimate effort at Quakerstown in November, was always positioned close to the pace and he moved through to lead briefly before five out.

The son of Arctic Cosmos then disputed the running with favourite Phoenix Arizona until asserting from the second-last to beat Mount Rinjani by six lengths. Phoenix Arizona meanwhile faded to return a similar margin adrift in third.

“He’s a horse that has been knocking on the door and he was always going to get his day,” disclosed the elder Murphy of the nine-year-old Thethirstyfarrier. “We’ll go for a winners’ race with him now and he could also run in a hunter chase when the ground gets better in the spring.”

Fedneys Park (5/1-7/1), representing yet another father/son combination in handler Mick Goff and rider Harry Goff, recorded a comprehensive front-running success in the five-year-old mares’ maiden. Fedneys Park, having finished a soundly-beaten third behind subsequent British listed bumper winner Supreme Malinas last season on testing ground at Ballyknock, got into a lovely rhythm at the head of affairs and she was able to control the pace.

The daughter of Walk In The Park, whose dam is a half-sister to six-time track winner Carrigmartin, bounded clear from two out to dismiss Warrioress by six lengths.

“She didn’t handle the testing ground at Ballyknock last year,” confessed trainer Goff of the gelding, whom his wife Caitriona shares with breeder Gary Adams. “She’s unreal to jump and she gallops and stays.”

ON an afternoon that saw Davy Russell receive a special presentation from the Killeagh committee, the locals had further cause for celebration as the familiar colours of Youghal owner/breeder Jim Browne were carried to success by the Terence O’Brien-trained Gillets Hill (3/1-4/1) in the five-year-old geldings’ maiden.

Gillets Hill, who dwarfed his seven rivals, provided indication of ability by finishing fifth to Frankie John on his Boulta debut in November and the son of Getaway disputed the running with Sailor McKay until edging on from half-way for Darragh Allen.

Gillets Hill was quite simply breathtaking in the fencing department, jumping like a seasoned handicapper, and the grandson of the six-time winning racemare Greenflag Princess swept clear from the second-last to dispose of Never Surrender by eight lengths.

Smashing horse

“He’s a smashing horse that blew up in Boulta, but things have turned around since then and my horses are in better form now,” remarked handler O’Brien of the towering Gillets Hill, in whom Browne’s son David and Brian Meade also hold an interest. Darragh [Allen] said that he jumped like a buck today and he will probably now go to the Cheltenham sale.”

Winning favourite

Get Off Your Phone (2/1-3/1 favourite), bred by former point-to-point champion rider Nicky Dee, became the only winning favourite on the six-race card, when going one better than she did on her previous start at Tinahely eight days earlier by landing the mares’ winner of two under her handler Darragh Berry’s nephew, Josh Berry.

Get Off Your Phone was near the head of affairs until Carry On Heidi moved into pole position before three out and seemed the most likely winner approaching the last. Get Off Your Phone put her experience to good use by surging back to the fore as the line approached to eclipse Carry On Heidi by a head in what was the day’s closest finish.

“She was due that and things just didn’t quite pan out for her the last day,” reported handler Berry of the winner. “We’ll go for another winners’ race with her now.”

RATHCORMAC native Jack Collins, who is 17 years of age and studying for his Leaving Certificate at St Colman’s College in Fermoy, had a memorable day by partnering a first winner on the Garett Ahern-trained Ceis Charraigin in the mares’ maiden for novice riders.

Ceis Charraigin (6/1- 8/1), a former track performer who finished third to Bellachamps at Turtulla in November, benefitted from front-running tactics, but she had a battle on her plate when the previous Sunday’s Aghabullogue runner-up Paddyskatie loomed up menacingly after four out. Collins, who previously spent summers with both Willie Mullins and Andy Slattery, remained unperturbed and his Pat Pyne-owned mount accounted for Paddyskatie by an authoritative six lengths.

Horse to Follow

Timefortom (Paurick O’Connor): A newcomer by Soldier Of Fortune, this Derby sale graduate travelled well in the five-year-old geldings’ maiden until having no more to offer after three out. This close relation to Time For Rupert ran noticeably better than being beaten almost 14 lengths into fourth would suggest and a maiden victory would appear to be a formality.