A PLEASANT day graced the hills of Farmacaffley which made for perfect racing conditions, on one of the oldest point-to-point tracks in the country.

Racing has taken place at Farmacaffley since 1895 allowing the local people to have seen some particularly good horses, such as Bindaree who finished second around here, later going on to win the Aintree Grand National.

Although we might not have seen the next Bindaree, many were impressed by the four-year-old maiden winner Small Town Hero (4/1 - 5/1).

The John Staunton-owned and handled gelding proved to be very game, as although the son of Jet Away looked to be the first competitor in trouble, he always managed to keep tabs on his three other rivals.

As they climbed to the top of the hill, it became clear that the bay gelding was not going to go down without a fight.

With a good jump at the last he put together a courageous effort under Eoin Mahon to overhaul the well-bred favourite Whinney Hill by a neck.

“He always showed us plenty at home, he’s a tough little horse,” reported Staunton.

“We thought we would see the best of him on a stiff track. Hopefully now we will find a customer and get him sold.”

Double day

Aidan Fitzgerald and Troy Walsh recorded a double on a successful day for the pair. The first leg of this double came in the winners’ of one contest with the Cobajay Syndicate-owned Commander Of Ten (10/3 - 7/2) putting his experience to good use when picking off three other rivals at the last fence.

The seven-year-old son of Doyen stalked the pace throughout, and although being hampered on the final bend, he showed determination to pick up again and win from the equally experienced Sifaka in second for what was the most exciting finish of the day.

Described by Fitzgerald as a ‘lovely horse’, the Carlow handler added: “We schooled him the other day and he came down with his tail in the air, so we said we had to run him. He is a great fun horse for us all now.”

The second leg of their double came in facile fashion by the similarly Cobajay Syndicate-owned Midnight Skye (5/2 - 10/3 favourite). The daughter of Westerner is out of a half-sister to Grade 2 winner and Aintree Grand National second Any Second Now.

Surged clear

A €9,000 purchase, this mare bred by Ambrose Stafford, surged clear on the run to the last and won by a comfortable seven lengths, showing good progression from her only previous start when finishing third at Dromahane at the end of last year.

“We picked this race out six weeks ago as we knew the track would suit her,” Fitzgerald said. “I’m delighted for Troy to get a double, he gave her a lovely ride and we think she’s a very good mare.”

THE open saw Jay Bee Why, Wowsham and Winged Leader (6/4 – 11/8 favourite) renew rivalries from their recent meeting at Kirkistown, and it was the latter who came out on top showing that he still possesses some of the ability which enabled him to finish a cruel second in a Cheltenham Festival hunter chase.

With champion lady rider Maxine O’Sullivan making the trip for one ride onboard the David Christie-trained gelding, it proved a worthwhile journey as the son of Winged Love took up the running before three out and quickly put a length between himself and the field.

Never surrendering this advantage, he stayed on well to the line to defeat Wowsham by two and a half lengths.

“He ran a great race on his first run back of the season,” Christie said. “He has won three times round here and he was in great form coming here. He is an absolute legend of a horse in our yard, every day you go out now you’re very conscious of the fact there is not much longer with him so just enjoy him and savour every minute.”

Jay Bee Why’s connections fared better the five-year-old geldings’ maiden with Cabaret Prince (4/1 - 7/2) coming out on top. This son of Doyen showed marked improvement from his two earlier starts. Given a canny ride by Dara McGill, the half-brother of the classy mare Cabaret Queen stalked the pace, and his jumping was solid throughout.

Comfortable

He showed a good turn of foot early in the straight to prevail by a comfortable 10 lengths over Takt De Touques.

“He ran a blinder there today; he’s finally showed us he is the horse we thought he was,” Ewing said.

“We were happy with the first run he had but very disappointed with the second run. We had a minor problem with him after that and corrected it and he won like a good horse there. Hopefully, we get him sold now.”

PUNTERS were sent home happy after the well backed Ballyphilip (2/1 - evens favourite) broke his maiden tag at the eighth attempt with an emphatic victory. The experienced Noel McParlan seized the initiative after four fences aboard the Wilson Dennison-owned son of Presenting and they never looked to be in any danger, coasting home to an eased down two and three-quarter length defeat of the recent Oldtown runner-up Josies Dylan. “He was particularly good today; he had his best run as a five-year-old around here last year, and he went a couple better this time,” winning handler Caroline McCaldin said.

“Noel gave him a very good ride. We will probably go to a winners’ race in a few weeks somewhere.”

Horse to Follow

Whinney Hill (W. Ewing): A four-year-old gelding by Jack Hobbs, he caught the eye in the parade ring beforehand. Always handy he looked the winner turning in, however he was just outbattled. With natural progression and the help of this experience he should be knocking on the door next time.