Distroyer destroys opposition

RIDER Richie Harding dominated yesterday’s well-attended Muskerry Foxhounds point-to-point meeting at Birch Hill outside Grenagh by partnering a three-timer.

The Castletownroche amateur got off the mark aboard confirmed fast-ground specialist The Dark Distroyer in the seven-runner open. In truth, this six-year-old destroyed the opposition by making all the running, jumping impeccably in the process.

The Dark Distroyer (5/1-4/1) could be called the most likely winner from four out as eventual runner-up Sister Phoebe was never able to mount a serious challenge, 15 lengths being the winning margin.

The Dark Distroyer, who finished second to Garranedarragh at Dromahane eight days previously, sports the silks of his Co Laois breeder Joseph Dunne.

Jerry Baragry trains The Dark Distroyer and the Castlelyons-based operator said: “He was swinging all week after finishing second in Dromahane. This will be his last run in a point-to-point as he now goes for a two and a half mile beginners chase at Tramore on June 1st.”

Harding then joined forces with his trainer sister, Marie, to capture the mares’ winners of two with Dont Cod Yourself (9/4-6/4).

This six-year-old, who shed her maiden tag at Dromahane the previous weekend, had to be rousted along with a circuit still left to travel. Dont Cod Yourself though is nothing but tough and she readily surged to the front after three out to dismiss the staying-on Presenting Yours by a length in the colours of her Kanturk-based breeder Kieran O’Callaghan.

Harding brought up his hat-trick aboard Tallow owner/trainer/breeder Dave Mangan’s Ballinvella Queen (5/2) in the first division of the five-year-old and upwards mares’ maiden.

This triumphant daughter of Executive Perk was another to benefit from front running tactics and she was always possessing too many aces for Any Reason from two out, five lengths separating the pair.

Fethard-based handler Conor O’Donnell celebrated his initial training success courtesy of ex-park performer Sweet Music (3/1) in the second split of this concluding contest. Richie McLernon sent Sweet Music, representing Mrs Cherry Brandon who lives in Durrow, ahead on jumping the final fence and the nine-year-old forged clear to see off Derry’s Hum by five lengths.

McLernon however experienced the other side of the coin in the adjacent hunts maiden as his mount Electric Times held every chance when running out through the outer wing of the last. Fort Henry (5/1) picked up the running with his trainer Eoghan O’Grady on touching down over the final fence, the triumphant six-year-old duly disposing of Always A Head by one and a half lengths. O’Grady incidentally also won the same race last year on Rebel Melody.

Aiden Kennedy’s newcomer Huckleberry (6/1) caused a mild surprise by beating Mountain Jack with James Jenkins in the five-year-old geldings’ maiden. Huckleberry, a 10, 000 graduate of last year’s August sale in Fairyhouse, is out of a half-sister to Laura’s Beau, who finished third in the 1992 Aintree Grand National.

The Mikey O’Riordan-trained Waki Baki (5/2-2/1) gained his due reward by returning to the coveted number one slot with Damian Murphy in the seven-year-old and upwards geldings’ maiden.