O’Connor reaps reward on Reader
The Eugene O’Sullivan-trained Pocket Reader, whom connections only purchased six weeks ago, moved ever closer from the penultimate of the 15 obstacles as Arctic Tale went for home under Derek O’Connor. The winner, who collected a Ballingarry maiden point in June 2010 for former handler Enda Bolger, stormed to the front on the flat to beat Arctic Tale by two lengths with Coursey Rover a further half-length adrift in third spot.
The Liam Burke-trained Lord Fox (3/1 – 5/2) stepped up from his fifth-placed Aghabullogue debut effort earlier this month to oblige in the Five-Year-Old Geldings’ Maiden, a race that was won by Paul Nicholl’s recent Doncaster Grade 2 novice hurdle winner Rocky Top 12 months ago.
Lord Fox led or disputed the running for Richie Harding virtually throughout and, although headed briefly by Icthec after three out, the 2010 Derby sale graduate was well and truly in command from the second last and he duly fought off never-dangerous newcomer Ballinvarrig by four lengths. Icthec secured the minor honours, a further five lengths adrift.
Ciaran Fennessy was the only rider to partner two winners, the Fermoy amateur instigating his brace aboard Myles Sunderland’s clear form choice Dominetta Vitali (6/4) in the Five and Six-Year-Old Mares’ Maiden.
Dominetta Vitali, runner-up to Gordon Elliot’s subsequent dual hurdles winner Mae’s Choice on her previous start at Lingstown last month, assumed command before two out to beat Carrigeen Lonicera by three lengths.
Fennessy doubled up aboard Magical Mother (4/1 – 3/1), trained by John Beamish for local Carrigtwohill owner TJ Browne, in the competitive first division of the Mares’ Winners of Two.
Magical Mother and Our Ned disputed the running until the victorious daughter of Milan edged ahead before two out. Whilst Catalan Cruz closed approaching the final fence, Magical Mother was in no mood to be denied with last season’s Liscaroll maiden victress pulling clear to dispose of Catalan Cruz by one-length.
Ex-track performer Ciaras Lady (10/1) provided Clonmeen-based handler John Fitzgerald with an initial career success by landing the second split of this same contest with James Hannon. Ciaras Lady bravely came a second time on the run to the last and overtook the well-supported Mills Melody on the flat to win by a length.
Mikey O’Connor gave his twin-sister Elaine Palmer’s Awbeg Massini (9/4) a masterful waiting ride to capture the closing Six-Year-Old Geldings’ Maiden. Awbeg Massini, representing his joint-breeder Noel Lynch, arrived from well off the pace to lead after the second last with the recent Dromahane fourth then easing clear to contain Presenting Rebel by three lengths in the style of a considerably better than average sort.
Donal Coffey’s Revoque-sired newcomer No Deal (7/2) impressed on his career debut in the opening Confined Hunt Maiden. No Deal jumped into the lead past Carn Gael at the fifth last and made the rest of the running for Pat Collins to dismiss favourite Lenamore Boy by four lengths.
