Sky’s The Limit rolls back the years
Sky’s The Limit brought himself to the attentions of a wider audience by winning the 2006 running of the Coral Cup Hurdle for Edward O’Grady. However, he lost his way in 2008 following two Grade 1 successes over fences as a novice and he was purchased by current handler Paurick O’Connor this past May.
Sky’s The Limit won a Taylorstown point in October only to later disappoint at Tattersalls Farm and Affane. He was quite well-supported (2/1 – 7/4) in yesterday’s 12-runner race and travelled with his customary fluency under regular partner Derek O’Connor, Paurick’s brother.
The winning French-bred eased to the front after the second last and duly bounded clear to beat Vinny Keane’s Le Toscan by five lengths with the mare Dr Doocey two lengths further adrift in third spot.
Said trainer O’Connor of the John Howley-owned Sky’s The Limit: “I really messed up by running Sky’s The Limit at Tattersalls Farm and Affane as he was sick then. He’s really back to himself now and he will stay pointing.”
Derek O’Connor was earlier foiled of a double as his mount Classy Conflict, a seven-year-old mare that’s trained by Denis Ahern, was well in command when falling at the final fence in the confined hunt maiden. Classy Conflict’s demise paved the way clear for James Sheehan’s Justforthebuzz (6/4), a runner-up at Avaune on Sunday, to beat Solo Run by three lengths in the hands of Declan Queally.
Tom Keating seems to have a hugely-exciting prospect on his hands in Hard To Swallow (5/1) who sluiced home on his return in the four-year-old geldings’ maiden.
Hard To Swallow, a tenth fence faller on his only previous start at Quakerstown in April, was always well placed with Liz Lalor. The winning son of Snurge was clearly travelling best in front when his closest pursuers Seskinane and Finnegan Paddy both fell at the second last. Hard To Swallow, a mid-March foal that’s out of a half-sister to a listed hurdle winner in Sister Superior, then came home by 20 lengths from A Heart Beats On in the style of a sure track winner.
Trainer James Dullea greeted his initial winner of the season when Mayo Calling (1/2), partnered by his first-cousin Joe Dullea, returned to the coveted number one slot in the winners of two.
Mayo Calling, runner-up behind Mickey Blue Eyes on his return to action at Dromahane on November 21st, had to be posed a few serious questions en-route to defeating the mare Castle Lake by one and a half lengths. Sharp Shot meanwhile indicated that his turn is imminent by returning a further one-length adrift in third spot.
The maiden hunters chase at Limerick over Christmas could now feature for Mayo Calling, owned by his handler’s uncle Batty Butler from Bandon.
Just four days after finishing a game second at Lisronagh, Colin Bowe’s Effernogue Oscar (7/2) displayed her tenacity by landing the five and six-year-old mares’ maiden, the race that attracted the biggest field of the afternoon in 16 runners. The Bon O’Neill-ridden Effernogue Oscar mastered Mary Whats Up from the last to oblige by one and a half lengths with the well-supported favourite Tarrawarra a further neck adrift in third spot.
Gotyourplay (5/1) showed all the correct qualities by making a winning debut with Pat Collins in the closing six-year-old geldings’ maiden.
Gotyourplay went for home before two out, eventually fighting off Satorie by three parts of a length. Gotyourplay was sold by his former owner/trainer Michael Browne to Eoin Doyle two weeks ago and a track career now beckons for the winning son of Definite Article.
