A Winters Vale

The biggest cheer of the day came about at Monday last’s Muskerry Hunt Point-to-Point staged at Dawstown when the Mick Winters trained River Vale (6/4-ev) got the verdict by three parts of a length to land the ten runner Adjacent Hunt Maiden.

Having finished second on his two previous starts the 7yr old progeny of Mahler was bounced out in front here by Chris O’Donovan in a bid to one place better. Giving a display of fencing the eventual winner also had to show a toughness from the front as he repelled all challengers from the back of the third last. He did jump the last some 4L to the good when from the next parish the John Barry partnered Oscars Brother (4-7) was staying on with some effect, but the line came in time for River Vale who prevailed by three parts of a length in the colours of the Down To The Alley Syndicate.

“If this horse didn’t win today I wouldn`t be able to show my face in Kanturk for the rest of the year” said successful trainer Mick Winters, “All the lads stuck in him are local to me, this is no bad horse though I actually put him to Trevor Hemmings two weeks before he passed away, I would say now we will go for a winners race next give Chris every chance in trying to win the Southern riders title”.

This winner now puts O`Donovan one winner ahead of Derek O’Connor on a score of 15 / 14 with John Barry just two further back, so it is still all to play for.

Tomhaggard, Co-Wexford rider Tiernan Power Roche had a day to remember by booting home a double on the day landing both the 5yr old geldings maiden and the winners contest.

Fellow county man Harley Dunne provided the first leg of the double as his debutante Do It Like A Dude (4-7) made all under an enterprising drive from Power Roche to land the eleven runner contest.

In front from the outset the son of Libertarian gave a display of fencing and he showed all the right battling qualities to hold off the persistent challenge of the Darragh Allen ridden Choose A Copper (5-5/4) with the duo having a titanic battle from the back of the third last, ultimately though 1L separated the pairing at the death.

The injured Harley Dunne was on hand to greet his winner and of him he said, “He came out of the

May sale I think, he is a big raw horse who is tough and honest and will now go back to a sale”.

Tiernan Power Roche brought up his personal double as the Aidan “Scobie” Fitzgerald trained Garm Colombe (4-8) made all to land an ultra-competitive winners of two contest.

Punters sent off the recent Dromahane scorer One Cool Citizen a warm even money shot (from 3/1) but his supporters knew their faith a long way out as he was never traveling and was pulled up two out. Up front though and the game Garm Colombe was not showing any signs of stopping and with a display of fencing he was always holding the Chris O’Donovan partnered Jessmae (2-5/2) with 1L between the pairing at the death, however the cause of the runner up was not helped by some sketchy jumping throughout the last mile.

Carlow trainer Aidan Fitzgerald was absent on the day but winning rider Power Roche indicated that a similar contest will be on the horizon before the season ends.

“Thank God the month of April is gone, I couldn`t buy a winner during it” quipped Pat doyle after his Elusive Prince (2-4) under a stylish Pa King drive took our opening 4yr old geldings maiden by a very snug 2L.

King was content to hunt around in mid division for most of the contest before making gradual progress to get on terms with the long-time leader Paddy In The Caddy (2-4) the mount of Brian Dunleavey going to the wings of the last, touching down just in front the 40k Derby Sale purchase Elusive Prince the powered his way home under King to score a shade snugly by 2L, Face D`music (2-4) under Jack Hendrick made some eye catching late progress to finish third and he looks well capable of winning one.

“He will go back to Henry (De Bromhead) now after that, he bought him for his owner Robert Finnegan from Dunmore East, I have my job done now look he is a grand horse by Elusive Pimpernel who I think has a bright future”.

Trainer Colin Bowe and jockey Barry O’Neill combined to land the 5yr old and upwards mares maiden along with the 6yr old and upwards geldings maiden.

In the mares race Barrack Village on her fifth time of asking got of the mark for our champion trainer and jockey elect with the easy to back 5/1 doing it the hard way from the front.

The 5yr old progeny of Mount Nelson had made all until being joined four out by the Adam Feeney partnered Stellar Symphony (3-6) , however try as Feeney did his challenge faded somewhat on the climb to two out as the Wexford raider asserted, two clean leaps at the last two obstacles saw the half-sister to Ruby Light keep the revs up in front and go on to score by 5L over Stellar Symphony who had no more to give.

“The experience stood to her there” said the Kiltealy domiciled trainer Colin Bowe, “The better ground suited her and Barry was good and positive on her look she has a good pedigree so we might hang onto her as a broodmare or we might send her to a sale, she cost plenty that mare”. 57k at the Derby Sale to be exact.

Bowe and O`Neill rounded off the day as the well supported Theatrical Getaway (2-3-2) ran out a very easy winner of the concluding ten runner 6yr old and upwards geldings maiden.

The once previously raced progeny of Getaway belied an absence of 162 days to storm to the front going to the last of the fifteen obstacles and once safely over this powered clear to eclipse the gallant front running effort of Tuff Days (2-5/2-7/4) the mount of Chris O’Donovan.

“Barry said he gave him a very good feel all the way and jumped from fence to fence for him, I’d say now we might go for a winners race next with him and then go to the track and have a bit of fun with him”.

ONE TO FOLLOW.... DUE COURSE (PAT O’ROURKE)

This progeny of Sageburgh always caught the eye in running however he was left down by some indifferent fencing and eventually pulled up two. Maybe on a bigger galloping track he could be one to keep onside.

NEXT WEEKEND

All roads lead to Hightown Bartlemy on Sunday where the local United hunt play host with the first off at 2pm. Also on Sunday the Kilkenny Foxhounds race at Grennan with their first also off at 2pm. Up North on Monday the Mid Antrims race at Toomebridge with the first off there at 2pm also.

APOLOGY

On last week’s Avondhu there was no race report published for the Killeady meet staged at Dromahane, in my humble defence I can only say it was submitted on time. But to the hunt and winning connections along with my two readers, I can but apologise!