Pillar-to-post success for Lanespark
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.”
Professional jockey Emmet Mullins sent out his first winner as a handler when the Heron Island-sired Black Hercules (4/1 – 3/1), whom he shares with his first-cousin Patrick Mullins, impressed on his initial outing in the four-year-old maiden.
The Heron Island-sired Black Hercules always took the eye in running and the result was never in doubt once me moved through to assume command for Mikey Fogarty on the approach to the penultimate of the 13 fences. An autumn bumper is now likely to feature for Black Hercules, a graduate of last year’s Goffs Land Rover sale.
Doneraile-based handler Brian O’Keeffe was virtually mobbed by well-wishers following the gallant victory of Castlesaffron (5/2) in the winners of three for the successful 10-year-old was owned and trained by his late father Con, the long-standing President of this same meeting, until his death in late-February.
Castlesaffron, who was equipped with cheekpieces, went to the front at the fourth last and he wasn’t going to be denied in the closing stages as runner-up Bingo Bash closed on the flat to get within a head at the line. Castlesaffron will now be aimed at a hunters chase in Killarney next month.
Castlesaffron’s rider Mikey O’Connor departed with two winners, the southern regional champion earlier combining with long-standing ally Michael Winters to take the second division of the six-year-old and upwards maiden with Killdunne (5/4).
A rare points winner for sire Hawk Wing, Killdunne led travelling best on the run to the final fence and he wasn’t troubled thereafter to dismiss Bravehearted Harry by two and a half lengths.
Derek O’Connor, who has now partnered over 100 winners at this venue, was the meeting’s leading rider for he rode three winners and he signed off aboard Unknown Legend (6/1) in the first division of this same contest.
The Ciaran O’Brien-trained Unkown Legend made all the running in what was a most grief-stricken contest and, with four of his pursuers exiting three out, he duly had little difficulty in containing Hit The Top by nine lengths. Unknown Legend, bred by O’Brien’s father Danny, will now take his chance in a bumper and he seems a considerably better than average six-year-old.
The Galwegian initially struck aboard Robert Tyner’s Who Let De Dogsout (9/4) in the five-year-old mares’ maiden, the race that attracted the biggest field of the day in 19 runners.
Who Let De Dogsout moved through to stylishly take the measure of long-time leader Thats My Goal before the second last with the winning margin being two lengths. A tilt at the mares’ pointers bumper in Tipperary next month is now probable for Who Let De Dogsout, sporting the silks of long-standing points supporter Martin O’Callaghan from Carrigaline.
O’Connor’s remaining victory came aboard the Ronnie O’Leary-trained newcomer It’s A Doddle (7/2) in the second division of the five-year-old geldings’ maiden. It’s A Doddle moved through to dispute at the second last, although his task was lessened when runner-up Pleasant Company blundered at the final fence.
Well Travelled (10/1) stepped up from his sixth-placed Inch debut effort last month by storming past Uptake inside the final 50 yards for Declan Queally to capture the first split of his same contest. Well Travelled, trained by absent Fermoy-based handler David Barry, is incidentally owned by William O’Donovan from Glenville in partnership with Moss O’Riordan and Pat Quirke.
