Hugely-exciting Marlbrook destroys opposition in maiden
On an afternoon that saw a nine-race card take place on extremely demanding underfoot conditions, the well-touted Marlfield (2/1 – 5/4) was sent into the lead by JT McNamara after a mile.
The victorious son of Beneficial was all of 12 lengths clear at the third last of the 15 obstacles and whilst runner-up Rockdown closed noticeably on the ascent to the final fence, Marlfield was quite simply in a different league to his rival for he eased clear inside the final 100 yards to oblige by four lengths in what was an extremely truly-run contest. I Need Gold secured the minor honours, a distance adrift.
“I love the way that this horse quickened from the last and he’s owned by a good friend and owner of mine in John Power from Bruff. We’ll have to have a chat where we go from here with him,” reported Bolger of the hugely-exciting Marlbrook.
Rockdown’s handler Gordon Elliot went one better when Soweheard (7/2) made a winning debut in the first division of the six-year-old geldings’ maiden. The Accordion-sired Soweheard made smooth progress to lead at the final fence and he duly defeated long-time leader Adams Wood by two lengths.
“This horse was just a little bit light and weak and this is the real start of our season here today. We will be cranking it up a gear from here on in,” said Soweheard’s owner/trainer Gordon Elliot.
Soweheard’s rider Jamie Codd maintained his advantage at the head of the riders’ championship by going on to record a two-timer aboard Brian Hassett’s On Winsome Wings (5/1) in the second division of the five-year-old and upwards mares’ maiden. On Winsome Wings, owned and bred by Ennis-based solicitor Billy Loughnane, forged to the front at the final fence to beat the pacesetting Charming Ways by one and a half lengths.
The John Gleeson-trained Thetalkinsover (evens) atoned for his second-placed effort behind the progressive Bothair Clei at Kilfeacle on January 13th by landing the winners of one, much to the consternation of the 16 bookmakers present. Thetalkinsover went for home at the third last with the successful seven-year-old just lasting home to repel Inside Shadow by a half-length in the hands of Derek O’Connor. Thetalkinsover could now contest the hunters chase at Clonmel on February 7th.
Favourite backers similarly got it correct when Philip Fenton’s 5/4 shot Brighton Road, runner-up on his previous start behind Hard Bought at Lisronagh last month, came home as he pleased under Kevin Power from the promising Strong Hurricane in the second division of the six-year-old geldings’ maiden.
Evanna McCutcehon, whose father Peter owns this galloping left-handed course, rode her initial winner for the absent Edward O’Grady aboard Solstice Knight (4/1)in the ladies open. The favourite Nedzer’s Return, chasing a fifth success of the season, set out to the make all with regular partner Annie Bowles.
The odds-on shot however was already coming to the end of his tether when jumping out to the right at the final fence as recent Kilfeacle runner-up Solstice Knight came through to lead some 50 yards out en-route to triumphing by two lengths. O’Grady’s representative Mickey Duffy intimated that the extremely lightly-raced Solstice Knight, referred to as Queen Mary by connections, could now possibly contest the Raymond Smith Memorial Hunters Chase at Leopardstown next month or else take in another open.
The closest finish of the day came in the first division of the five-year-old and upwards mares’ maiden with the recent Aghabullogue third Lady Calta (7/2) leading from the final fence to deny the long-absent Twentyeleven by a head. By doing so, the Goresbridge sales acquisition Lady Calta was providing her 21-year-old owner/trainer/rider Cathal Healy from Ballyfoyle outside Kilkenny city with an initial career victory.
Another rider to sample first-time success was 20-year-old Mikey Hamill from Villierstown who teamed up with the in-form Eoin Doyle to collect the second division of the novice riders’ seven-year-old and upwards geldings’ maiden aboard Swanfold Wildcat (4/1).
Coolykereen Castle seemed set to succeed when easing into the lead on the outer before the second last in this competitive 11-runner event. Swanfold Wildcat though stormed back to the head of affairs on the run to the final fence to thwart Coolykereen Castle by a length. The gambled-on Milan Flyer, arguably the best backed horse of the entire day hardening from 6/1 into 6/4, fell at the sixth fence here.
Toomevara native Trevor Ryan (18) who works with Enda Bolger, partnered his second career winner when Stephen Ryan’s Major Mongo (5/1 – 4/1) returned from a 21-month lay-off to gamely edge out favourite Theholeofthemoon by one and a half lengths in the first instalment of this same contest.
The Dungarvan Harriers meeting, rescheduled for this past Saturday, has now been abandoned. Meanwhile, yesterday’s postponed Pigeon Hill-Carrigtwohill fixture will now go ahead at Clyduff next Saturday – February 2nd. The Tallow committee report that their track at Shanakill Cross is in excellent shape and they don’t foresee any difficulties ahead of next Sunday’s meeting.
