Saddlenomore gets Conerney off the mark

On an afternoon that saw Jamie Codd crowned point-to-point champion for the first time, Mikey O’Connor dominated yesterday’s second stage of the two-day Ormond Foxhounds fixture at Ballingarry in north Co Tipperary by partnering two winners.

The Liscarroll amateur completed his brace by bringing Saddlenomore from off the pace to thwart the brave frontrunning bid of Isourbell in the mares’ open. Isourbell, an excellent third in a similar type of event at Kinsale two days earlier, led with Sheila Ahern until overtaken by Saddlenomore (6/4 – evens) off the bend before the final fence. Whilst Isourbell rallied gallantly as the line approached, Saddlenomore still oblige by two lengths to provide Kilreekil-based Brendan Conerney with a first winner as handler.

O’Connor got off the mark aboard David O’Brien’s well-supported newcomer The Gatechecker (9/4 – 7/4) in the opening four-year-old geldings’ maiden. The Gatechecker arrived full of running to lead at the final fence and he duly bounded clear to beat Native Gamut by three lengths.