SMALL fields were the order of the day, as the Wicklow Foxhounds staged the second of four fixtures scheduled for Fairwood Park this season.

Sean Doyle and Jamie Scallan had an afternoon to remember, as they combined for a treble, which was highlighted by the success of Willitgoahead (7/1 - 4/1) in the open.

The youngest runner in the field and following-up on his Castletown-Geoghegan win, the Getaway six-year-old took closer order approaching four out and went second after the next.

Taking over from odds-on favourite Lifetime Ambition before the penultimate obstacle, he readily extended his advantage and was 13 and a half lengths clear of the market leader at the line.

“That was very exciting and he is a horse that has always had a lot of ability,” Doyle said of the Monbeg Partnership-owned bay.

“He unseated in a four-year-old maiden and just got a bit of an injury, so we gave him time to come back.

“We’re over the moon with that and hopefully now he’ll go straight to Limerick for the hunter chase there over Christmas. He is a lovely horse.”

Doyle also has a track target in mind for Gale Force Jet (6/4 - 11/8 joint favourite), after his breakthrough success in the five and six-year-old geldings’ maiden.

Head of affairs

Beaten by just a length on his return to action at Peppard’s Castle last month, the Henry Chamney-owned bay was always towards the head of affairs in this four-runner heat.

Tackled and joined by market rival Revolut Ned approaching two out, the Jet Away victor found more when ridden and regained an outright advantage before the last, keeping on well from there to score by five lengths.

“It was probably just a small bit soft for him at Peppard’s Castle and he didn’t jump well,” Doyle reflected.

“He is a horse that might contest a winners’ race before being sold. If he’s not sold, he could go for the farmers’ race [the Bishopscourt Cup] at Punchestown. Henry won it last year with Private Ryan.”

Returning to the point-to-point fields after a stint with Nicky Henderson, Between Waters (1/1 - 6/4 favourite) completed the three-timer for Doyle and Scallan in the concluding mares’ winner of two.

Successful on debut for Doyle at Lisronagh in February of 2022, the Walk In The Park six-year-old since ran four times for Henderson, filling the runner-up spot twice.

In front from early in this five-runner affair, she made a bad mistake two out and was soon headed by Hero In The Sky.

Ridden in second approaching the last, the bay victor rallied on the run-in and regained the lead close home, just getting the better of her aforementioned rival by a neck.

“Jamie said only for that mistake she would have won easier,” Doyle revealed.

“She’ll probably go for another winners’ race and will go back on the track at some stage. That’s Jamie’s first treble.”

BARRY O’Neill and his brother Jim were both on target, with the former striking first aboard John Walsh’s locally-trained Nanny Betty (9/4 - 5/2) in the five-year-old and upwards mares’ maiden.

A well-beaten second of three at Damma House, with subsequent Knockmullen winner Fiddledee behind, the Ocovango chesnut was given a patient ride.

Making good progress into second after three out and in front before the next, the Tom Power and Annette Lawlor-owned five-year-old was nudged out in the closing stages to see off the effort of Shirocco Queen by a length and a half.

“We fancied her today because Colin Bowe’s mare [Fiddledee] was well behind her at Damma House and she won last weekend,” Power disclosed.

“She might go for a mares’ winners’ race now and it’s nice for my partner Annette, as she buried her brother a fortnight ago.”

Returning from a near two-year absence, Jim O’Neill’s Icare Du Marais (1/1 – 7/4 favourite) claimed the four-runner six-year-old and upwards maiden for novice riders.

Second of 16 on his sole previous start, when in the care of Donnachadh Doyle, the French-bred chesnut made virtually all in O’Neill’s own colours.

Victor

Jumping well throughout and joined by Kings Cowboy before halfway, the Alan Harney-ridden victor regained an outright advantage approaching two out and soon went on. While his lead was reduced on the run-in, the €50,000 Tattersalls Derby purchase was always in control and came home a length to the good.

“He is a grand horse and had the best form in the race,” O’Neill, who was registering his third success, commented.

“He got hurt after his first run and had time off. He’ll come on for the run today and go for a winners’ race now.”

WITH two of his graduates later successful on the final day of Cheltenham’s November meeting, Denis Murphy claimed the opening four-year-old geldings’ maiden with Gaelic Pride (6/4 - 11/4).

Fourth on his return to action at Peppard’s Castle last month, the Kool Kompany bay was always prominent under Jack Hendrick.

Ridden and joined approaching two out, he regained an outright advantage from the last, seeing off the effort of Imperfectlyperfect by half a length, with a further 22-length gap back to the third.

“We fancied him the first time out this season and last, but things just didn’t go according to plan,” Murphy, who also owns the Spanish-bred victor, remarked.

“He must like being handy. He is a very, very big horse and has a nice attitude. He’ll win plenty of races and he’ll head to the sales now.”

Imperfectlyperfect (M. Flynn O’Connor): In a share of the lead at the time, this Walk In The Park bay showed signs of greenness when edging left on the approach to the last. Soon headed, he ultimately went down by half a length to a race fit rival. Drawing all of 22-lengths clear of the third, he’ll be a threat to all wherever he turns up next.