Stretchingthetruth leads home a 1-2 for Nick Stokes
In a race that was run in driving rain, favourite Le Martalin took the 15 runners along at a cracking gallop until Stretchingthetruth went past at the third last of the 15 obstacles.
Le Martalin was beaten from two out and Royal Supremo moved through to join issue with the victorious son of Gold Well under Richie Harding on the flat.
There was very little to separate the pair at the line with the judge finding in favour of Stretchingthetruth with all of a 12-length break back to the third-placed Poetic Rhythm.
“This is an above-average horse with lots of pace and he will probably now go to the Cheltenham sale next Friday,” said Stokes of the winner.
Derek O’Connor kept his supporters happy by partnering a two-timer, the reigning champion initially combining with Robert Tyner to collect the five-year-old geldings’ maiden with well-supported newcomer Gurteen.
Although badly hampered at the fourth last, the Golan-sired Gurteen effortlessly assumed command from two out to repel Dick Darsie by six lengths in the colours of owner/breeder Catherine O’Driscoll.
The Sam Curling-trained B L Swagger completed O’Connor’s brace by destroying the opposition in the open.
B L Swagger, a former track winner for Mag Mullins, supplemented last season’s authoritative Kildorrery success by bounding clear from the second last to dismiss Majestic Oak by 10 lengths and Curlin now envisages running the Tessa Foreman-owned bay in another open.
Chris O’Donovan (19) from Shanballymore posted his second success of the campaign aboard his father John’s Dream Doc in the five-year-old and upwards mares’ maiden. Dream Doc, who showed some promise despite falling three out at Kinsale last term, readily asserted from three out to beat Moonlight Whispers by three lengths.
Sheila Ahern, this year’s Irish female representative in the Fegentri amateur riders’ series, partnered her second winner in as many Sundays’ aboard her own horse Tea Pot Spout in the six-year-old and upwards geldings’ maiden.
The Sean Aherne-trained Tea Pot Spout avenged his narrow second-placed effort here last season by benefiting from a well-judged frontrunning ride to thwart On De Ball by four lengths.
Former Cork All-Ireland winning footballer Paul O’Flynn’s Quarry Rua justified strong market support in the closing adjacent hunts maiden, much to the consternation of the eight bookmakers present.
The six-year-old Quarry Rua made virtually all with Ciaran Fennessy, who was getting off the mark for the season, to slam newcomer Are You Well by a distance in the silks of O’Flynn’s father Tom.
The Dungarvan Harriers Point-To- Point, scheduled for Affane next Sunday, has been cancelled.
1) Mrs A Stokes’
b g (Gold Well – Maryanndoyle) 11-10 Mr J C Barry
2) J Bryson’s
11-10 Mr R O Harding
3) Ms R Hickey’s
11-10 Mr D L Queally
15 ran. Hd, 12L, 4L. (Winner trained by N Stokes)
1) Mrs C O’Driscoll’s
b g (Golan – Aussieannie) 12-1 Mr D O’Connor
2) E M O’Sullivan’s
11-10 Mr E M O’Sullivan
3) MML Bloodstock’s
12-1 Mr D L Queally
9 ran. 6L, 12L, 1 1/2L. (Winner trained by Robert Tyner)
1) J O’Donovan
b m (Dr Massini – Storm Call) 6-11-5 Mr M C O’Donovan
2) N Kelly’s
5-11-10 Mr D O’Connor
3) G Kelleher’s
7-11-10 Mr M J O’Connor
9 ran. 10L, 1 1/2L, 20L. (Winner trained by John O’Donovan)
1) Miss S Ahern’s
b g (Lord Of Appeal – Lady Michilin) 9-11-10 Miss S Ahern
2) C W Gash’s
6-12-1 Mr D O’Connor
3) E Kent’s
6-12-1 Mr B M Linehan
10 ran. 4L, 2L, 2L. (Winner trained by Sean Aherne)
1) Ms T Foreman’s
b g (Saddlers’ Hall – Designer Lady) 7-12-1 Mr D O’Connor
2) Fontstown Syndicate’s
(FR) 11-12-1 Mr K E Power
3) T J Nagle’s
11-11-10 Miss E M Nagle
7 ran. 10L, 4L, 1L. (Winner trained by Sam Curling)
1) T O’Flynn’s
g (Croco Rouge – Adeline’s Pearl) 6-12-1 Mr C W Fennessy
2) G O’Mahony’s
7-12-1 Mr M J O’Connor
3) T J Nagle Jr’s
5-12-1 Mr P A King
6 ran. Dist, Dist. Only 3 Horses Finished. (Winner trained by Paul O’Flynn)
