Rotorua gets Shanahan off the mark

IT was a memorable afternoon for Bill Shanahan at yesterday’s Duhallow-Kanturk point-to-point meeting at Dromahane as the 21-year-old from Ballinure in Co Tipperary partnered his first career winner aboard James Dullea’s unconsidered 14/1 shot Rotorua in the open lightweight.

The Garryhankard Stud-owned Rotorua, the only mare in the 10-runner line up, went to the head of affairs after the fourth last of the 13 obstacles and the former Clonmel novice hurdle winner was always in command thereafter. Whilst noticeably eased in the closing stages, Rotorua still had a length to spare over Ted Stanner’s The Tother One, a former six-time track winner for Paul Nicholls, whilst Giveabobback returned a similar margin adrift in third spot.

“This is a bit of a surprise, but Bill gave her a smashing ride and we will probably run her in another open now before going back chasing,” said Bandon-based Dullea.

The Kieran Purcell-trained Run For Firth (6/1) put his experience to good use by winning a fiercely-competitive first division of the four-year-old maiden. Run For Firth, who seemed a particularly progressive sort when twice finishing in the frame in the spring, dug deep for Mikey O’Connor from the final fence to master Timmy Hyde’s hugely-promising first-timer Elegant Statesman by a half-length.

Fermoy-based owner/trainer ‘Trixie’ Barry seems to have an outstanding staying prospect on his hands in Sraid Padraig (2/1 - 6/4) who destroyed the opposition in the first division of the five-year-old geldings’ maiden. Sraid Padraig was left in the lead at the fifth fence and made the rest under Ciaran Fennessy to dismiss Ballincurrig by 15 lengths.