Pillar-to-post success for Lanespark

With ground conditions extremely testing at yesterday’s Doneraile Hunt point-to-point meeting at Dromahane, it was a case of the best wine being left until last as the Mark Spillane-trained Lanespark cemented his position as one of the best front-runners, participating in points, at present by recording a pillar-to-post success in the closing novice riders’ open.

Lanespark (5/4), who was still bowling along merrily when falling five out on his most recent outing in Ballynoe, established a clear advantage from half-way with Kevin Sheehan until the Johnny Burke-ridden Footy Facts eroded into the deficit from the fourth last of the 13 obstacles. With the latter coming under pressure after the third last, the winning son of Dr Massini valiantly asserted to oblige by four lengths with the only other finisher Mantell returning a distance adrift in third spot.

“He’s a great horse to have,” said handler Spillane’s brother Mossy, who also owns the winning son of Dr Massini. “It was a shame that he fell in Ballynoe and we will now go to Ballindenisk next month. Next season, we will go hunter chasing with him again.”