LOCALS dominated this six-race programme, with Clonmeen (7/4 - 9/4) preventing a clean sweep for Wexford-based handlers by taking the winners of one.

Trained by Willie Murphy in the neighbouring county of Carlow, the chesnut seven-year-old was completing a double for Barry O’Neill.

Second at Rathcannon just last weekend, the Stowaway gelding was given a patient ride, improving to lead on the run to two out.

He kept on well when ridden on the run-in, seeing off recent Tattersalls winner Inchidaly Robin by three lengths, with a further six lengths back to the third.

“I had no intention in running him because Pa [King] was gone to Dromahane, but Barry sent me a text last night asking was I going to run,” Murphy revealed. “He said he thought I should, so this win is down to Barry and a text message!”

Hunter Chase

He then added: “He will have a little break now because he had a hard enough race last weekend.

“He will probably go for a hunter chase on the track at Limerick or Clonmel after Christmas. His owner Stephen [Campion] is from Kiltegan, Co Wicklow and he also bred him.”

Champion rider O’Neill had earlier scored on Shiroccosmagicbaby (9/4 - 3/1) in the five-year-old and upwards mares’ maiden, with this one also owned by her breeder, Martin Murphy.

Having failed to make a significant impact in the spring, the Colin Bowe-trained mare has clearly turned a corner and readily accounted for her four rivals here, coming home four lengths to the good. “She jumps well, is very genuine and deserved her turn. She will head to the sales now,” Bowe commented.

Bright prospect

From a staying family, Future Perfect (2/1 - 4/1) looks a bright prospect after she got off the mark at the first time of asking in the opening four-year-old mares’ maiden.

Soon settled behind the leaders by Jack Hendrick, she improved to dispute the lead before four out and hit the front approaching the second last, keeping on well to see off the promising Definite Dream by a length and a half.

“That was nice. Her work the last couple of weeks has been very good,” owner/trainer Denis Murphy said.

“The filly we sold the other night [Working Away] was kind of a guide for this one as they had been working together at home. She is a grand stayer and will head to the sales now.

“Touch wood there is another one or two nice fillies to come, as it looks on their homework anyway.”

SUCCESSFUL in the open at Dromahane, Tennessee Titan (5/1 - 4/1) completed an across-the-card double for Seamus and Ina Neville in the concluding six-year-old and upwards geldings’ maiden for novice riders.

A solid ninth on his debut in a maiden hurdle at Leopardstown in March of 2021, the Fame And Glory bay was subsequently out of action for just over a year and a half.

He pulled up on his return at Kinsale recently, but left that effort well behind him, making the breakthrough under Troy Walsh in this six-runner affair.

Sent to the front after the third last, he was ridden before the next and kept on well in the closing stages, seeing off the effort of newcomer Answer To Kayf by three and a half lengths.

“It’s great to get that one because it’s my first of the season and it’s good to get it out of the way,” Walsh stated.

“He ran in Kinsale a few weeks ago and pulled up there. He was off for a long time and needed that run but was very good today.”

Sixth success

Walsh was recording his sixth career success aboard Tennessee Titan, while Adam Leahy registered just his second on Dare To Shout (3/1 - 9/2) in the five-year-old geldings’ maiden.

The twice-raced son of Martaline was returning to action for the first time since pulling up at Dromahane in April and he made good progress to dispute the lead before four out.

Sent to the front approaching the second last, he soon went clear and came home 12 lengths to the good for trainer Mick Goff and his wife Catriona.

“We hit the crossbar twice earlier today, so we were due one,” the winning handler remarked.

“He just needed a bit of time and this year he is a different horse.

“I said going out that I couldn’t see him being beaten because he was flying at home. He jumps and travels and it’s great for Adam who rides him out every day. I’d say he might go for a winners’ race now.”