Move Very Wise ...

The Rob James owned/trained/ridden Old Tom Morris (3-5) created a very favourable impression when taking the thirteen runner 5yr old geldings maiden at Sunday last’s well supported Clonmel Harriers point to point staged at Turtulla, Thurles.

The 75k Derby sale purchase was hunted around in mid-division for most of the contest before making gradual progress to join the eventual runner-up Millforce (3-6) and James Kenny three out. From here the pair were locked together and, going to the wings of the last, the son of Getaway, Old Tom Morris had poked his head in front and with a super leap at the last the momentum was with him and on the long run in he went on to score in impressive fashion by 2.5L over Millforce, with 8L back to the third horse The Mail Train (2-6), the mount of Harry Swan, with this pairing noted doing their best work at the death.

With his trainer’s hat on Rob James said: "He is some beast, he is a lovely horse with some speed under him, myself and Matty Flynn O’Connor gave plenty for him but he has proven his value here today, he has a big future and will be sold after that."

As an aside, Old Tom Morris was actually a Scottish golfer who later in his career went on to design many golf courses, many of which are in use to this very day.

Rob James went on to complete a double on the day as he teamed up with Fethard trainer Harry Kelly and his charge Now So Jake (2-3) to land the ten runner adjacent hunt maiden.

The recent Dromahane fourth, got a dream run here up the inner after the fourth last and from here the 6yr old progeny of Mahler was not for stopping and he galloped right to the death and eclipsed the Susie Doyle ridden Cicero Grimes (6/4-5/2) by an extending 8L in what looked to be an above average adjacent hunt race.

"I am delighted with that", said successful trainer Harry Kelly. "He got knocked about four out at Dromahane and Barry O’Neill left him alone after that and thanks to him we had a horse to come here today. Rob gave him some spin, I think a fair bit of this lad, we might give him a spin in a winners race or go straight to the track that’s if he is not sold. I am thrilled for his owner John Palmer, John bred this lad and he will get some lift out of this, as a family they have had a tough old year with his brother, Paudie’s sad passing."

Susie Doyle consolidated her position at the top of the lady riders championship moving onto the five winner mark (2 wins clear of Hannah Philips) as she teamed up with the David Christie trained Ramillies to land the nine runner lady riders open Lightweight contest, with Ramillies showing a liking for the track having been successful at this venue back in November.

Doyle had the grey to the fore throughout and with a display of fencing the recent Moig South victor had most of these put to the sword turning in to face up to the third last and, when her nearest pursuer De Northener (3-4), the mount of Toni Quail, crashed out at the last. this simplified the task for the odds on shot Ramillies (4/6-4/5-4/6) and he pulled clear to score by 8L from the Aine O’Connor partnered Somptueux (5/4-7/4), with Sean Says (4-8) staying on well, under Clodagh McAuliffe, to take third some 12L further back.

Co-Fermanagh based trainer David Christie was absent on the day as he had runners at Punchestown also, on the day Chloe Watson was on duty and of the winner she said: "He loved that old tacky ground and he was loving life out there, he may go to Aintree but that will be up to David, it took us over three hours to get here but this win will shorten the road home."

Shanballymore father and son team of John and Chris O’Donovan combined to land the winners of one contest with Tattersalls maiden winner Wise Move (2-4), with the 6yr old progeny of Shirocco bolting up by 3L.

O’Donovan had the eventual winner in the front rank from the drop of the flag and subsequently was never unduly troubled. They stacked up in behind the eventual winner after the third last and it was the Derek O’Connor partnered who looked to be traveling ominously well going to two out but he took a crashing fall here. From here Wise Move was in total control and, with a fine leap at the last, he went onto eclipse I Masked Du Potier (2-3) and Susie Doyle with 3L the winning margin.

"He is some horse for a fun horse", said successful trainer John O’Donovan. "Joanna (Walton) was to ride him but she went on a skiing holiday yesterday. He is tough out, we put the hood on him as he can get a bit keen in company, we might try a hunter chase next, we will see."

Piltown, Co Kilkenny trainer, David O’Brien saw his mare Hollow Rodger (2-3) belie a 336 day absence to land the mares maiden in impressive fashion, indicating that a bright track future may lie ahead for this 6yr old daughter of Beat Hollow.

Partnered by Tom Hamilton, he was content to sit in behind for most of the contest and, when he gave her the hurry up after the fourth last, she powered right away and duly went on to score readily by 6L from Carrolls Pride (4-7), the mount of Bertie Finn.

"She is a lovely mare and she came here in good form", said successful trainer David O’Brien. "Look she had the form from last year but just picked up old silly niggly injuries and fair play her owner was very patient and thankfully it paid off today, she will go hurdling next."

The owner is William Cuddihy also from Piltown and is a near neighbour of O’Brien’s and the pairing have also tasted success in the past.

Racing concluded with the 6yr old and upwards geldings maiden and victory in this went to the recent Boulta runner-up Meetmeatthepillar (2-4), the mount of James Murphy and sporting the colours of Castlemartyr woman, Bridget Collins.

In front two out, Meetmeatthepilar quickly moved on by 2L or so and with a fine leap at the last he had this contest put to bed, however, about fifty yards from the line he began to idle and hung out to his left and briefly looked as if he was in trouble, as the Brian Lawless ridden Youknowhatimean (3-4) began to close with every stride, but the line came in time for the east Cork raider who prevailed by 1.5L, although it looked less to the naked eye.

Trainer Matt Collins was on hand to greet this his first winner this term and also end a run of eight 2nds from his last eight runners, of the winner whom his wife Bridget shares with her brother, Pat Hayes, (Golden), he said: "He is no bad horse and fair play to James he gave him a grand spin, we will go for a winners race next all going well."

ONE TO FOLLOW D’JO DELA BARRIERE (SAM CURLING):

This ex track performer was well supported at the books and he was travelling well enough in himself here in an above average adjacent hunt maiden until crashing out at the fourth last. If none the worse for his spill he looks one to keep onside.

NEXT WEEKEND

On the local Cork/ Waterford circuit all roads lead to Killeagh where the local Harriers play host with the first off at 12.30pm.

On the Wexford circuit all roads lead to Ballycrystal where the local Ballinagore Harriers commence racing at 12.30pm also.