Plan B works out

A scintillating performance by the James Motherway trained Amrons Sage in taking the 5yr old geldings maiden was one of the highlights of Sunday last’s Duhallow Hunt point to point staged at Liscarroll.

Partnered by the in-form Darragh Allen he produced the successful progeny of Sageburgh to lead between the last two fences and once in front Amrons Sage (4-8) was not to be denied, going on to eclipse the staying-on Saladam (4-8) and David O’Brien by 4L.

Successful Killeagh trainer James Motherway was absent on the day as he was on duty at Downpatrick, but he was represented by his father David who also owns the winner and of the successful debutante he said “We think an awful lot of this lad, I bought him privately as a 3yr old and he has always shown us plenty, we were worried about the ground but he handled it well, I will talk to James and see what he thinks but I have never kept a good horse for myself so we just might hang onto this lad. As an aside would you believe it is fifty-years this year since I broke my shoulder in a fall at that bottom bend there after the winning post, riding in a half bred race, I’m 75 now but I will never forget that day and that fall”.

Sunday was a red letter day for 24yr old Ciaran O’Shea from Lisgoold as on just his fifth ride in point to points he booted home his first winner in the shape of General Ryan (5-12) who sluiced up in our concluding race the 6yr old and up maiden for novice riders for which sixteen went to post.

The Brian Dunleavey-partnered Kalanisi Dream (4-7-6) set out to make every post a winning one and to their credit the tactic looked like paying dividends as they raced away from the back of the second last with a 2 to 3L advantage, however on the downhill run to the bypassed last obstacle young Ciaran O’Shea produced the eventual winner with impeccable timing to head the long-time leader and from here the recent Bandon third had too much in hand, going on to score by 3L.

There were some great scenes in the parade ring after this as Ciaran O’Shea was swarmed with well-wishers, and successful trainer Garrett Ahern was on hand to greet his winner also and of the son of Scorpion he said “That is great, I am delighted for Ciaran, he comes into me a couple of mornings a week and works hard to be fair, the O’Shea family bought this fellow out of Patrick O’Farrell’s for a bit of fun and he will go for a winners’ race next,” concluded the Bartlemy man.

Ciaran O’Shea is the son of former professional rider Sean O’Shea, and the younger O’Shea said “This is a great feeling, I would like to thank Garrett Ahern, Olivia Hall, and Donie Murphy who have been good to me and hopefully now I can kick on from here”.

Racing got underway with a nine-runner 4yr old maiden and victory here went to the Wexford raider Hurricane Highway (3-6) from the Cormac Farrell yard and partnered by Simon Cavanagh.

The well-supported Duhallow Tommy (3-5-6/4) and James Hannon made most to two out but on the level after this he could not repel the late surge of the eventual winner and with a safe leap at the last the debutante progeny of Malinas kept on, stoutly eclipsing the jolly by 2L.

Cormac Farrell was absent on the day but of the winner - successful rider Simon Cavanagh for whom this was his fourth winner of the current campaign - he said “I go into Cormac’s one day a week so it is nice to be able to repay him for all the help he has given me, this horse is very straightforward at home but he will improve for this as he was green enough there when he hit the front. My father actually bred this lad and sold him as a foal, and Cormac bought him as a 2yr old, I would imagine he will be sold now”.

There was a dramatic conclusion to the 5yr old mares’ maiden as at the business end of the contest the Stefan Tobin-partnered Well Vicky (2-7/2) had put this race to bed when skipping 3L clear going into the wings of the last. However the daughter of Well Chosen appeared to jump this fine but just crumbled on landing. Her demise gifted the contest to the Luke Murphy ridden Kilbarry Aplasia (4-7) who to her credit kept on gamely, eclipsing the only other finisher in this nine runner contest Worth The Walk (2-4) and Paul Bannon with 10L separating the pair at the death.

Portlaw, Co Waterford trainer Richard O’Hara was on hand to greet his winner stating “We were very very, very lucky, but we will take it, she ran well in Lismore and we came here today with a sporting chance, we will send her on to David O’Brien now and go to the track with her”.

Just four contested the winners of one contest and here victory went to the recent Tallow Adjacent Hunt maiden winner Plan B (4/5-6/4-5/4) under Brian Dunleavey.

Shortly before half way Dunleavey allowed the 6yr old progeny of Valirann to stride on and by the time they reached the third last it was the Michael O’Connor ridden Nice To Meet (3-6) who was the only one of the three challengers capable of going with the eventual winner, but going to the wings of the last Dunleavey was in total command some 3 to 4L clear, his nearest rival crashed out here and this left Present Fair (ev-7/4) under James Murphy to fill the runner up spot with a distance between the pairing.

“He missed a bit of work after winning at Tallow with a stone bruise so I’m delighted with that performance there,” said successful trainer Dungourney man Michael Griffin. “He will stay point to pointing and may take in a hunter chase at Mallow over Easter, we will see, I will talk to Brian as he owns half of him with me”.

Just three contested the Open Lightweight and on paper it looked a straight match between Crazywork De Vassy (ev-6/4-5/4) and James Hannon along with Meetingofthewaters (4/6-ev) the mount of Maxine O’Sullivan.

Hannon elected to make all from the drop of the flag on board the 10yr old progeny of Network and it was a tactic that paid dividends, from the crown of the hill on the run to two out Maxine O’Sullivan gave the 5yr old son of Court Cave the hurry up and despite closing to 2L the Boulta 4yr old scorer could not bridge the deficit eventually going down by 5L to the Maike Magnussen-trained winner.

“That was super,” said Magnussen. “This lad jumps and stays and I said to James to keep it simple, and we will tip away in points for now”.

Maike Magnussen herself came to Ireland nine years ago from her native Germany and worked for a time with Henry De Bromhead and Mark Molloy, before going out on her own, she trains now out of Noel Glynns yard in Spancil Hill in Co Clare where she has fifteen in.

NEXT WEEKEND....

We are in Lisronagh next Saturday at their well-appointed track at the showgrounds in Clonmel where the first race is off at 2pm.

On Sunday all roads lead to Ballynoe where it is also a 2pm start and the blue riband race on the card is the Gain Mares Final, so why not come along and enjoy a great day out?