Real Mancy Stuff...

A scintillating performance by the Shane O’Donoghue trained Seaforth Mancy (2-42) in taking the 6yr old and upwards geldings maiden was just one of the highlights of Sunday last’s Kileady Hunt Point to Point staged at Dromahane.

Partnered by Darragh Allen, the thrice placed in maiden hurdle company Seaforth Mancy appeared to have it all to do as they trailed the long-time leader Brownstone (3-4-3) and Chris O’Donovan by 6L or so turning in to face up to the three fences in the home straight. Brownstone was showing no signs of stopping in front and looked set to have stolen a march, however Darrah Allen had timed his run to perfection touching down 2L in arrears at the last, but on the long run in the 6yr old progeny of Mustameet showed a likeable turn of foot reeling in the eventual runner up and going on to score by a very snug 1L.

The Kilworth/Araglin trainer was on hand to greet the winner whom he trains for his mother Mary, who incidentally bred the winner also, of the winner he said “That was great, we fancied him a bit coming here as his track form was solid out and I felt he had improved a bit from his last run at Clonmel, I would think we will go back to the track with him now after that.” Three horse trainer O’Donoghue was quick to praise the family effort that goes on at home between his parents, his uncle and calling on the services of local jockey Darragh Allen is also a big help.

On a day when bookmakers got the better of the exchanges the victory of the Vinny Devereux trained First Preference caused somewhat of an upset in the seven-runner Open Lightweight.

The lightly raced 8yr old son of Publisher was recording his third victory from just his sixth start in points with the 8/1 shot storming home to a 12L victory under Shane O’Rourke and in taking this was crediting O’Rourke with his fiftieth winner between the flags.

In front from flag fall the recent Tattersalls winner enjoyed an uncontested lead throughout and it was not until two out that the Derek O’Connor partnered La Feline (ev-7/4-5/4) closed to 3L but that was as close as the jolly got failing to land any type of a telling blow eventually trailing in some 12L behind the impressive winner.

Wexford trainer Vinny Devereux was also on lead up duties and of this his second winner in two weeks he said “He loves that nice ground and we may come back again next week for the same again”.

Racing got underway with the 4yr old geldings maiden for which ten went to post with victory going to the Mattie Flynn O’Connor trained Wrappedupinmay (3-5-2) bolting up by a distance under Brian Lawless.

The towering son of Ocavango was at the head of affairs three out and from here he was always holding the chasing pack however his task was simplified some more when both Minella Double (4-6) and Scrum Diddly (2-3) both crashed out independently at the last, their demise gifted the runner up spot to the James Hannon partnered Meetmeatthepillar (8-10) who trailed in a distance behind the impressive winner.

Kiltealy based trainer Mattie Flynn O’Connor is enjoying a stellar season to date with his 4yr olds was absent on the day as he was at Monksgrange however owner Noel Hayes was on hand and of the winner he said “We knew coming here we had a smart horse and now we know we have a smart horse, we gave 31k for him at the Land Rover sale and he will go back to a sale now”.

If the name Noel Hayes is familiar to you, he was the man who had our Conor with the late Dessie Hughes before he was sold to Barry O’Connell.

The 5yr old gelding’s maiden was divided and the winners of both divisions look to be above average types.

In the first split the well supported Heads Or Harps (4-ev) having his first outing for trainer Declan Queally ran out a comfortable 16L winner under Chris O’Donovan.

In front from before half way the son of Flemensfirth out of a half-sister to Harchibald had his nine rivals well stretched out with over a mile to race, the Connor Costello partnered I’d Like To Know (3-4) did try to close over the last half mile or so but was still 16L adrift at the line.

“This lad was burning up the gallops at home and I couldn’t see him beaten here today,” said successful trainer Declan Queally. “He is a very smart type who will be sold now, he is owned by a Kerryman Sean Browne from Tralee but he is living full time in the UK but he is here today to see this lad.”

The often successful at Dromahane combination of trainer Robert Tyner and Jockey Derek O’Connor recorded a brace on the day with Myretown (2-3) impressively taking the second division of the 5yr old geldings maiden.

Sporting the colours of owner Kanturk native David Cotter, the son of Dylan Thomas was produced to lead just before two out by O’Connor and from here the result was never in doubt as the pairing stormed clear to eclipse Old Beginnings (3-5) and Harley Dunne by an unextended 5.5L.

“That was impressive,” said trainer Robert Tyner. “He was unlucky here after Christmas as he clipped heels on landing four out and tipped up, he has a savage pedigree, David bought him as a 3yr old from Fogartys and he will go back to a sale now “.

Tyner and O’Connor rounded off the day in taking the concluding Adjacent hunt maiden with the 8yr old debutante Ask Me (2-3).

This 60k derby sale purchase as a 3yr old was hunted around in mid division for most of the journey before making gradual progress to lead over two out and from here went on to dismiss long-time leader Eveningofsummer (2-4) and Chris O’Donovan by a snug 12.5L.

“Ah sure look he obviously had issues,” said successful trainer Robert Tyner. “We didn’t think it would be as an 8yr old he would be winning, he will tip away now in a winners race next”.

The 5yr old and upwards mare’s maiden was also divided and in division one the Ian McCarthy trained Inclusion (3-6) under James Hannon ran out comfortable 2L victors.

The two-time bumper runner when trained by Nigel Twiston Davies, saw that experience put to good use here under Hannon with the 5yr old daughter of Shirocco being sent on about her business four out and from here she was not for catching going onto score by 2L from Knockraha Lass (2-3) under William Cronin who were noted doing their best work at the death.

Kildangan Co-Kildare based trainer Ian McCarthy was on hand to greet this his third winner on the Cork / Waterford circuit this year and of this one he said “Ah sure look her experience stood to her there and again James gave her a great spin, I’m not sure where she will go next, this is the first horse I have had for the owners so I will talk to them and make a plan.”

Ian McCarthy a former professional rider who recorded some ninety winners in the paid ranks also trained the full sister of this mare Ballybough Mary to score at Curraghmore back in 2020.

Chris O’Donovan is having a good season in the plate to date and he too was in double form on Sunday as he teamed up with trainer Eamon O’Neill to land the second split of the mares maiden with No Babysitter (4-8) and in taking this was crediting Newcastlewest trainer O’Neill with his very first winner whom he trains for his son Brian.

The daughter of Mountain High who pulled up on her previous start at Belclare, was given office here just before half way by O’Donovan and from here she was not for catching going on to score a shade snugly by 8L from the staying on The Kids Choice (5/4-3) and James Hannon.

Speaking to the successful owner Brian O’Neill he said “This is mighty, she loved that ground there and Chris gave her a great spin, we have just two horses in at the moment, and I have no idea where we will go from here”.

NEXT WEEKEND ....

Up North you have a two-day meet at Largy racing on Friday and Saturday. Whilst on the more local scene we are back in Dromahane on Sunday with Stowlin also going ahead on Sunday, and on Bank Holiday Monday we are in Dawstown, there are 2pm starts at both Dromahane and Dawstown.