Ponmeoath powers to Kerry National double
A year ago, Ponmeaoth fulfilled one of his handler’s greatest ambitions when successful in this time-honoured chase.
The horse had not tasted success in the meantime, but stripped at the peak of his powers to do the business again, off a mark 8lbs higher.
“This is a dream come true, it’s absolutely fabulous”, exclaimed McNamara. “Please God, we will be back again next year.”
Ponmeoath, this was only his third ever victory over fences, jumped brilliantly and always had the look of a possible winner.
Paddy Flood, in the plate a year ago as well, allowed him lead over the third last and that looked plenty far enough from home.
But Ponmeoath was full of running and he bounded across the final two fences to beat Oulart, up front throughout, by a comfortable three lengths.
“We gave him a run at Cork (hurdles) and he came alive after that”, said McNamara. “His work since Cork has been very good.
“This has been the plan for a good while. We were worried about him getting the three miles, on the ground.
“He’s not an out-and-out stayer, but is classy. We didn’t intend to go on so early, but Paddy said he had no choice, so well was he travelling.”
Regarding the future, McNamara said: “We sent him to Cheltenham in November of last year and he seemed to lose his way after that. He certainly won’t be returning this year. Today was the plan, but he will have an entry in the Munster National (Limerick).”
Ponmeoath is just the third horse to win two Kerry Nationals and only the second to win the race in consecutive years.
Packed Home scored in ‘64 and ‘65, while Pearl Of Montreal won in ‘71 and ‘73.
He is owned by the four-member Jolly Up Syndicate, one of whom is the former Cork hurler, John O’Halloran.
Oulart, in spite of displaying some wayward tendencies through the race, ran a cracker for second, with well-backed market-leader, General Striker, staying on one-paced in third.
Mister Top Notch ran a blinder to fill fifth off top weight and his trainer, Davy Fitzgerald, has now pencilled in the Munster National.
Green Mile was desperately disappointing, trailing the field from the start and clearly failing to act on the surface.
“My attitude is you win nothing in the box”, quipped Dusty Sheehy, after his Garrai Ard had taken the Ballygarry House Hotel Novice Hurdle.
The mare had run her heart out the previous day when second to the Ruby Walsh-partnered Vale Of Avocia.
Ironically Walsh was now in the plate and he guided her to a facile ten lengths success over heavily-backed Oscar Time.
The eventual second found 2-1 favouritism, from 100-30, but after travelling sweetly had no answer to Garrai Ard, once Walsh asked her to lead heading to the final flight.
“She’s a hardy lady”, reported Sheehy. “She will have a break now and then probably go over fences.”
Carrigtwohill, Co Cork handler, Terence O’Brien, who renewed his licence to train last year, had his first winner since then when Glenquest stayed on doggedly to beat Final Question in the Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health Maiden Hurdle.
“That’s my first winner for some years”, reported O’Brien, who has 18 horses in his care. “We thought he’d need the run and he will go for a winners’ race now.”
Glenquest is owned by Kilworth, Co Cork farmer, John Kenneally.
O’Brien’s last winner was with Copper Supreme in a bumper at Wexford in March of 1998.
Davy Russell had a welcome turn when powering top weight I Don’t Know to victory in the first division of the Ladbrokes’ Ireland Handicap Hurdle.
He was in no hurry, producing the mare with impeccable timing to sweep ahead coming away from the second last.
Russell, who has been plagued by injury since the Punchestown Festival in April, was enjoying a first success since returning from his latest absence, which lasted six weeks.
The stewards inquired into the performance of Charles Byrnes’ Plemont Bay, who finished seventh.
The stewards noted the explanation of Byrnes, but suspended Plemont Bay’s rider, Justin Murphy, for 21 days and ordered that he forfeit his fee.
Russell quickly completed a double on Mullicagh Lass in the second division of the same contest.
The daughter of Oscar Schindler provided the pilot with an armchair drive, easing on early in the straight to score by a whopping 18 lengths.
Tom Cooper’s Just Naturally jumped and galloped his rivals silly for Denis O’Regan to land the John F McGuire Beginners Chase.
His previous claim to fame was finishing second behind Cheltenhham Gold Cup hero, Denman, in a point-to-point at Liscarroll.
“He’s been so unlucky, breaking a bone at the back of his knee and suffering tendon trouble”, said Cooper, who indicated Just Naturally could turn out again at the meeting in a handicap on Saturday.
The progressive Philip Rothwell-trained Jamies Choice completed an excellent four-timer with a game display in the Seamus Mulvaney Handicap Chase.
He made all the running, rallying in fine style on the flat, as Heartansoul threatened to go past.
The eight-year-old was very capably handled by Eoin McCarthy. This was his 15th winner and he now has his claim reduced to 5lbs.
Dessie Hughes’ newcomer, Western Charmer, scampered away early in the straight to easily beat the favourite, Missy O’Brien, in the Bumper.
