Doyle, James claim trebles
man in fuelling the O’Leary’s Gigginstown House operation and he proved the winner in Dorydalis, with Rob James prevailing by half a length in a thriller.
Just pipped was Frozen Flame for Ashleigh and Michael Murphy, Duncormick, in the hands of Gary Murphy, Ballycullane, with Henry’s Joy third for the Corrigan’s and John Fortune.
Rob James doubled up in the Tattersalls Ireland five-year-old geldings’ maiden, on Seán Doyle’s (Ballindaggin) Small Farm (Westerner-Eastertide) for the Monbeg Syndicate. This was another great ride as he held off the charging Double Portrait, trained by David O’Brien from Piltown, Kilkenny. The Murphy’s from Duncormick were third with Buck Bravo, just ahead of Shanoule Wood, under J.J. Walsh for Kieran Roche (Adamstown).
James completed his treble and a double for Seán Doyle in the Gain Horse Feeds five- and six-year-old mares’ maiden with a comfortable four lengths victory on Monbeg Zena (Flemensfirth-Mandy’s Gold). Both of these Doyle winners will now be heading for the sales.
Second here was newcomer, Kygo, ridden by Luke Murphy for his father, John, from Inch. Mark Scallan (Cleariestown) was third on Echrad Carrlusa for Kevin O’Donnell, with Joseph Scallan fourth of the 14 runners on Uisce Ur for William Martin from Clonhaston.
Seán Doyle completed his hattrick in the Nitrofert six-year-old geldings’ maiden, and foiled Rob James this time in the process. Fightfirewithfire (Firebreak-Simianna), for the Monbeg Syndicate, won by two lengths under Gearóid Doyle who was scoring his first win between the flags. James was second on Burning Ambition for Pierce Michael Power from The Hook, clear of Mark Clifford’s Doc Carver.
The Ballywalter Farms Winner of Three produced another very tight finish. The very consistent and gusty Teds Island (Heron Island-Morgans Lady) delivered again under Mark Scallan for trainer Michael John Murphy (Kilmore) and owner Seán Connick.
He had just a neck to spare over Eddie Keating (Gusserane) on Touchy trained by P.J. O’Gorman (Bunclody) for Mary Lett, who was clear of Battle Anthem under Harley Dunne for Liam Kenny, Ballydarragh, Craanford.
The concluding Horse and Hound older horses’ maiden went to the aptly-named nineyear-old Eddies Miracle (Beat of Drums-Ballinamona Gold), providing a first training win of the season, and the fourth of his career, for regular rider Eddie Keating (Gusserane) under Ray Cody, for owner Peter Aspel.
They finished well strung out with First Crusade third for Laois man Willie Lanigan, with Joseph Scallan third on Roy Tector’s At Tinryland.
Considering there were three other points on Sunday along with racing at Punchestown and all the other live and televised attractions, this was a successful and exciting day’s racing and the total of 57 runners was the most at any of the four.
All the organisers and dozens of stewards can take a bow.