Mikey Joe Roccs Liscarroll

There was some stellar fare on offer at Sunday last’s Duhallow Hunt Point-to-Point staged at Knockardbane, Liscarroll.

It proved to be a very historic day for local rider Michael O’Connor as not only did he record a treble on the day, he also became the fifth most winning points rider on record as his career tally now stands at 416. Despite being an elder statesman of the weigh room, O’Connor (41) is riding better than ever and before the season culminates at Ballingarry in May I would expect him to add to that tally.

Having equalled Enda Bolger’s tally of 413 at Bandon, O’Connor wasted no time in surpassing it on board Quarry Rocco (2-ev-2-6/4) who landed the 5yr old geldings maiden in a very impressive manner.

The home bred Quarry Rocco was given a patient ride by O’Connor in this thirteen- runner contest and having raced in mid division early on he made gradual progress to join Toss Of A Coin (6-3) and James Kenny at the head of affairs going to the wings of the second last, at this and the Wexford raider crashed out, his demise left the progeny of Shirrocco in front and with a fine leap at the last he went right away to score by a widening 12L from the Adam Leahy partnered Kilbarry Hill (4-8).

Buttevant trainer Paul O’Flynn was on hand to greet his winner the second of the current campaign - “Dad (Tom) bred and owns this lad, he is a proper horse, to be honest I was very worried about the soft ground but look we left him take his chance and thankfully it worked out. Another horse at home West Cork Wildway is rated 140 or so and he cannot live with this lad at home, and I think this fellow will improve no end for a bit nicer ground, he is for sale so we will see what happens after today. Look on a personal note I am delighted for my father as his father, my grandfather Tim was on the committee here for years and he too trained a few horses but never had a winner here so it is great that the colours have come into the winner’s enclosure”.

The middle leg of Michael O’Connor’s treble came about in the six-runner winners of one contest as here he teamed up with the Jack Bennett trained Dancing After Dark (2-4) with this ex-track performer running out a convincing 32L victor.

In front for most of the contest the 7yr old daughter of Mountain High was given a slight hurry up by O’Connor from the back of the third last this move was covered somewhat by market drifter Desert Cave (ev-7/4) the mount of Chris O’Donovan but there was still 4L between the pairing. Racing through the gap to bring them onto the second last and the mare Dancing After Dark found another gear under O’Connor and quickly put this contest to bed going on to score in emphatic style by 32L from the favourite Desert Cave.

Bruff trainer Jack Bennett said of this his first winner of the season “I was worried about the heavy ground and I told Mikey how to ride this mare and to his great credit he did the complete opposite and he was proved to be right he gave an absolute masterclass in the saddle there. I will talk to the owners (Kate Costello and Brothers syndicate) they are here today all Limerick city people, but I would think after that she will go to Mallow for a tilt at the mare’s hunter chase”.

The O’Connor treble was completed in the concluding 6yr old and upwards mare’s maiden for which twelve went to post.

This time it was Six Mile Bridge domiciled trainer Niall Kelleher who provided the winner in the shape of Sarah Jane (3-5) with the 6yr old daughter of Ocavango shedding her maiden tag at the fourteenth time of asking.

A credible fourth at Tallow, the Co Clare raider put a hitherto disappointing Bandon run behind her landing this by no less than 36L.

Always prominent under O’Connor, he set sail for home well before three out and quickly had most of these at full stretch and with no problems at the last two obstacles the chestnut mare stormed home some 36L clear of the only other finisher Coolyline Red (5-10) TP Ahern.

“I am absolutely delighted with that,” said successful trainer Niall Kelleher. “Her owner Gerard Nihill is a Quin man and a great neighbour and I’m thrilled for him. She ran shocking in Bandon and scoped dirty after it and coming here I was not sure how she would perform but fair play Mikey was good there and between them they got the job done, we will look at a little mares’ winners race for her now after this”.

Racing got underway with a 4yr old maiden and here the Andy Slattery trained winner Cantico (4-5/4) got the job done in workman like fashion.

Partnered by Adam Ryan the progeny of Diamond Boy loomed into contention going to two out and was about a neck down on the sweet traveling Diamond’s For Luck (3-5) and John Barry. However at this and John Barry’s mount took a crashing fall this left Cantico in front but before the last he was headed by Castle Swan (3-6) and Dan Nevin, at the wings of this and the Tipperary raider Cantico had again assumed pole position but a slow leap here in the testing underfoot conditions saw him joined and headed by the Brian Dunleavey partnered Fortified Fortune (2-4). But on the long run in and in receipt of 5lbs it was Cantico who found that little extra to poke his head back in front where it mattered most, scoring by a head. Personal Ambition (6/4-5) Brian Lawless stayed at it some 3L back in third with the leg weary Castle Swan some 1.5L further back in fourth.

Killenaule, Thurles based dual purpose trainer Andy Slattery was on hand to welcome back in his winner whom he owns along with his brother Willie and his wife Sharon. Of the winner he said “That was great, he is a horse we gave 44K for him at the Land Rover sale, he is a real good horse but is still a big baby to be honest, he is game and tough though I liked the way he pricked his old ears there after the last and I would think he will improve again for this, he stands at 16;3 and will make a high class chaser, he is for sale now after that”.

Castletownroche trainer Marie Harding and Mitchelstown rider Eoin O’Brien combined to land the 5yr old mares maiden with the very impressive debutante Hathaways Cottage (3-6) sporting the colours of her breeder/owner local woman Mary Turner.

The daughter of Mahler was always prominent and led over the second last before being joined and headed by the Alan O’Sullivan partnered Lucky Viv (6/4-4), however to the great credit of the eventual winner she came again to lead out over the last and duly went on to eclipse the staying on Colline Fleurie (2-5) and Derek O’Connor with 5L the winning margin.

“Delighted and surprised in equal measure,” said Marie Harding. “It was touch and go if I was going to run her or not on that heavy ground, but I am glad now that I did run her, she is a very good mare and is tough out. I will talk to the owner but I would imagine she will be sold now after that”.

Ballydorgan, Fermoy jockey Adam Feeney has enjoyed a very mixed season to date but this talented young rider enjoyed a change of fortune as he steered home the John Murphy trained Wild Grouse (4-6) to a facile 16L victory in the seven runner 6yr old and upwards geldings maiden for novice riders.

Feeney had the 6yr old progeny of Getaway in the van throughout and with well over half a mile to race this homebred could easily be mapped the likely winner and with a clear round of fencing he duly obliged going in by 16L from Knock On Wood (4-6-4) the mount of M McGrath.

Upton based trainer John Murphy was absent on the day but traveling head lass Sinead O’Sullivan was on hand and of the winner she said “He works like a real good horse at home but having fallen twice we never knew how good he was and after that performance he is not too bad. He will stay pointing and will go for a winners race next, we are all delighted for Adam as he works hard at the game and is great around the yard at home”.

ONE TO FOLLOW… BURNLEY LANE (GERRY KELLEHER)

This 5yr old son of Well Chosen made his debut here for the Kelleher’s and to be fair he always caught the eye in running. Having been caught in some traffic he looked as if he would finish fifth or sixth but a couple of fallers two out saw him inherit third spot and he ran through the line beaten just 13.5L and he looks one to pay his way in time.

NEXT WEEKEND

All roads on the Cork and Waterford front lead to Ballynoe on Sunday where the first race is due off at 2pm. For many the United Hunt fixture Ballynoe is the blue riband of point-to-point racing in Ireland with the final of The Gain Mares taking centre stage at the popular East Cork Venue, it is always a great day out and with excellent viewing it really is a day not to be missed.

Also, on Sunday the Galway Blazers race at Loughrea where the first is also off at 2pm whilst on the Sunny South East the Bree Foxhounds race at Monksgrange also with a 2pm start.

The rearranged Northern meet on Saturday goes ahead at Portrush with a 1.30pm start whilst the Tipperary Foxhounds race at Lisronagh on Saturday with a 2pm start.