Claras Chesnut makes every post a winning one in four mile open
Partnered by Mikey O’Connor, Claras Chesnut (5/1-7/2) was challenged by favourite Fr Freddy at the third last of the 17 obstacles. The triumphant son of City Honours though had plenty left in reserve as he powered clear from after two out to contain Fr Freddy by six lengths.
The never-dangerous Andiamo, winner of this same race last year, kept on to secure the minor honours, a further four and a half lengths adrift.
“It’s possible that this fellow will now go to Tipperary on Thursday for a two mile seven furlong beginners chase,” said trainer Ivor Kingston of the Philip O’Connor owned Claras Chesnut.
Rider Mikey O’Connor later brought his seasonal tally to an impressive 30 by steering Lady Sueellen (7/1) to a resounding success over Topemup in the closing seven-year-old and upwards maiden. Lady Sueellen, trained by John Shaughnessy for his mother Eileen, struck the front approaching the last to oblige by a snug two lengths.
Topemup’s rider Damian Murphy, who needs just one more success to reach the 200-winner mark in points, was also in double form. The Dromtariffe amateur kicked off aboard Jimmy Mangan’s Mister Micheau (5/2) in the opening four-year-old maiden.
Mister Micheau, absent since finishing third at Cloyne in mid-March, eased past the front-running Pilica De Thaix before two out to contain Bandon runner-up Oscar Delta by three lengths in the colours of Watergrasshill-based owner John Higgins.
Murphy barely had to strain a sinew aboard the much-improved Bealaha Bridge (2/1) in the winners of two. The Ray Hurley-trained Bealaha Bridge, representing his breeder Patrick O’Driscoll, stormed clear from the third last to dispose of Moyglass by 15 lengths. Bealaha Bridge, also victorious at Clonakilty the previous weekend, could now try his luck over hurdles.
It was a memorable afternoon for Harristown, south Kilkenny amateur Shane McCarthy (18) as he made his first mount in public a winning one on David O’Brien’s recent Stradbally runner-up Fastey (5/1) in the five and six-year-old geldings’ maiden. Fastey took up the running before the last to contain the renewed effort of Oxer by a length.
Jack Doyle maintained his slender advantage (16-15) over Richard McLernon in the novice riders’ championship by returning to the coveted number one slot aboard Molly De Cudgel (9/2) in the second division of the five and six-year-old mares’ maiden.
The Pat Flavin trained Molly De Cudgel, owned by Eddie Power from Kill in Co Waterford, took up the running at the fifth last and she stayed on determinedly to beat ex-track performer Tornado Lady by 12 lengths.
Competition was particularly intense in the first split of this same contest and it was the James Sheehan-trained Roll On Rose (10/1), an Anshan sired daughter of former top pointing mare Glenview Rose, that ultimately prevailed with three lengths to spare over the well-supported Sally’s Yarn.
Roll On Rose, shared by Michael O’Callaghan with her breeder Neil O’Mahony, was partnered by teenager Michael Byrne, who is attached to the Robert Tyner stable.
There was no racing at Kinsale on Saturday as the meeting was postponed due to fog. That fixture will now take place this afternoon, the first race getting under way at 2pm.
