Sweet sweet Kiwi ...

The Ciaran Fennessy trained My Kiwi Girl created a very favourable impression when running out a wide margin winner of the 5 and 6yr old mares maiden at Sunday last’s well supported Clare Hunt point to point, staged at Quakerstown on the foothills of the Burren.

Partnered by Alan O’Sullivan the successful 5yr old daughter of Walk In The Park was in the van throughout and giving a display of fencing she had most of her nine rivals put to the sword racing across the top of the track to face up to the third last.

At this and the Derek O’Connor ridden Youghal Valley (2-4) joined issue but she failed to raise her tempo sufficiently and was held about a length in arrears when tipping up at the next. Her demise saw 7/4shot (from 7/2) My Kiwi Girl bound further clear, under Alan O’Sullivan and with a spring heeled leap at the last she went on to record an eased down 15L victory over the James Murphy partnered Clashmore Banter (6/4-3).

There were some great scenes in the parade ring after this contest as successful trainer Ciaran Fennessy was swamped with well-wishers, we did manage to catch up with the Fermoy man and of the winner he said: "Look it is great altogether, she is a mare that has shown us plenty at home and I am delighted that she came here now to back it up. I was a bit worried about the ground coming here but she took that in her stride to be fair, I bought her out of a field off Albert Sherwood and she will now probably go to Aintree in two weeks’ time for the sale. On another note, I would like to thank David Barry and family along with my neighbours who have all been very good to me in allowing me to use their facilities and all their help is very much appreciated".

Curraglass trainer Garry Aherne has his string in right order at present and he recorded his second winner in four days, as his Our Story (2-5/2-2) ran out a very comprehensive 4L victor in the 6yr old and upwards geldings maiden, for which ten went to post.

Partnered by local man Derek O’Connor, he produced the 6yr old son of Shantaram to cut through the field from just before the second last, coming through from sixth spot to lead away from the back of this. Once in front he was not for stopping and with a fine leap at the last of the fifteen obstacles jumped, he came home some 4L clear of the eventual runner up Mister Murphy (4-7) and Eoin Mahon.

"That is mighty now," said successful trainer Garry Aherne of this winner he shares with his fatherin-law John O’Mahony. "He had a great run in Ballindenisk and then we tipped onto Carrigtwohill where he pulled up and he wasn’t right in himself after it, so we gave him a little break and the last day at Kilworth was running a great race only to cruelly unseat Alan O Sullivan, so I am thrilled it all came right for him today. Where we go from here I have no great plan, but we will just enjoy today anyway".

Our opening 4yr old geldings’ maiden was the subject of a divide and in the first split there was another Cork/Waterford trained winner, as the father and son team of Donie and James Murphy combined to land this with L’Evangeliste (3-5-4), who atoned for his tenth fence fall at Lismore recently.

The successful French bred was one of six horses who went into the dip after the second last covered by no less than 3L, three of them took the last as one here, on the level and Murphy had timed his run to perfection to hit the front and on the short run in he found plenty on the heavy ground and duly went on to score by 2L from Paddys Policy (3-7-3), the mount of Paul Cawley, with just 1.5L back to the third placed Nseventeen (4-8) and Eoin Mahon.

Walshtown, Midleton trainer Donie Murphy was absent on the day, but part owner Mark Landers was on hand to speak and of the winner the Killeagh man said: "That was a great performance and fair play to James he gave him a peach of a spin. I will talk to Donie now and see where we go but I would imagine a sale will be high on the agenda".

Trainer Mick Goff was unlucky in the previous division as his Kocktail Bleu crashed out at the last when holding placed prospects, however, his Jordans Cross made no mistake, under Mikey Sweeney, running out a snug 5L victor in this nine runner contest.

As is customary for a Goff horse he was in the van throughout and when he upped the tempo again from the back of the second last he quickly had most of these put to the sword and he duly went on to eclipse Claim The Throne (3-7) and Finny Maguire by an eased down 5L.

Mick Goff himself was on duty at Monksgrange but of the winner successful jockey Mikey Sweeney said: "Look he is a grand horse and from day one we liked him at home, he came out of the May store sale and Mick and Shane Fitzgerald have him between them, he will be sold now after that".

Maxine O’Sullivan probably won’t ride an easier winner all year than she did here on board 2/5 shot Winged Leader, who sluiced up in the five runner lady riders open lightweight contest.

The 10yr old son of Winged Love was sent to the fore by O’Sullivan with well over a mile to race and from here the Northern raider Winged Leader was always in control, going onto score in authoritative style by 6.5L from the Toni Quail partnered De Nordener (2-3).

That was Winged Leader’s fourth points success on the bounce and his trainer is Fermanagh based David Christie and of the winner Christie said: "He is just a warrior of a horse and has won seventeen points now in his career and four hunter chases. He has been a great servant to us, he will tip away in opens whilst the ground is suitable".

There was another Wexford winner in the shape of Star Of Diamonds, who ran out a comfortable 4.5L victor of the 5yr old geldings’ maiden in the hands of Jimmy O’Rourke, in the colours of Jess Codd and trained by Mark Scallan.

The son of Diamond Boy had these well covered from three out, but O’Rourke sat tight and waited until making the run into the dip after the second last before launching his effort and quickly putting the contest to bed. With no problems at the last he came home some 4.5L clear of the never nearer Taponthego (3-5-3) and James Murphy.

Trainer Mark Scallan was at Monksgrange, but owner Jess Codd (no relation of Jamie’s) was on hand. "To be honest we fancied him coming here today," said the successful owner, who admits to riding the horse out every morning before heading to work as a school teacher. "We made mistakes with him last term and ran him on the wrong ground so we gave him a decent break, but we learned and he had his ground today and sure he stays all day and jumps for fun. I will talk now to my father and brother as they both share an interest in him, but he is for sale".

This is just the second horse that Jess Codd has owned, the previous being Doyen Star, who after landing a Rathcannon maiden went on to join Evan Williams and has scored twice at Cheltenham for his new connections at both the November meet and February meet.

Favourite backers had no sweat in the concluding confined maiden as Eoin Mahon steered the 4/5 shot ( from 11/10) Fountain House to a facile 15L victory in the colours of owner/trainer Ian McCarthy.

The recent Punchestown third assumed command three out and from here the 6yr old progeny of Lucky Speed was not going to be denied, going onto score by 15L from the ultra-consistent mare Racing Destiny (2-4) and Robbie Clancy.

"I am delighted now with that," said Ian McCarthy, who only acquired the horse mid-season having pulled up on his first three starts for Brian McCarthy (clerk of the course here). "Eoin gave him a grand handy spin to be fair and we may go for a little winners’ race next".

ONE TO FOLLOW... CAMBERWELL (MATT COLLINS)

This 4yr son of Mahler made his debut here and he was running a race rich in promise and was very much in the shake up when a faller at the last all but took the two back legs from under him and cost him valuable momentum. Eventually he finished fifth, beaten less than 4L and with better luck in running looks well capable of scoring in a similar contest.

NEXT WEEKEND...

With the weather playing havoc with fixtures it is best advised to keep a check on what’s on/off as the weekend approaches.

But at the time of writing Curraghmore is due to go ahead on Saturday next at 2pm having been rearranged from Sunday last. On Sunday the Co Limerick Foxhounds race at Rathcannon with the first off there at 2pm, whilst also on Sunday the Louth Foxhounds race at Tattersalls with their first going to post at 2.30pm.

On the local Cork/Waterford circuit all roads lead to Ballynoe where the prestigious GAIN Mares final takes centre stage with the first going to post at 2pm, with the GAIN final due off at 3.30pm.