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You are > Home > O’Connor and Ahern rule the roost with treble
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Tuesday, January 26, 2010
O’Connor and Ahern rule the roost with treble
BY APOLLO
The Dungarvan Harriers held their annual Point To Point races last Sunday at Kilossera just outside the town of Dungarvan.
Thankfully a thick blanket of fog lifted just after the first race and the eight race card provided plenty of entertainment for a fine sized attendance. Ireland’s two leading point riders Derek O Connor and Jamie Codd graced this fixture with their presence and while Derek rode a treble Jamie drew a blank. Dungourney County Cork trainer Denis Ahern will also remember this meeting for a long time to come as he provided Derek O Connor with his three winners.
The opening five year old Maiden race kindly sponsored by Kiely Tyre Centre and Tom Kiely Farrier was divided with eleven runners going to post in each division.
In division one Intentandpurposes made a solid bid to make most of the running in this three miler and while he led to near the last he was forced to settle for third spot. Bens Moor (6/1) and The Crafty Cuckoo (6/1) were left to scrap it out up front and in a rousing finish the Larry Murphy partnered Bens Moor prevailed by half a length over The Crafty Cuckoo. The winner is trained by Paul Cashman for his dad Liam.
Brunswick Gold was sent off the 2/1 favourite in division two but he never really looked happy in the sticky underfoot conditions and was eventually pulled up. Experienced pilot Richie Harding let the Philip Rothwell trained Toby Ben (10/1) stride on into the lead on the final circuit but didn’t have matters all his own way .Racing room was at a premium rounding the sharp home bend where Derek O Connor did not enjoy much luck aboard Croan Rock but answering his riders urgings Toby Ben battled on well to hold the persistent challenge of Minella Stars (4/1) by half a length with Barnaelley Beau a length further back in third.
A field of nine assembled for the Bridgie Terries five year old mares maiden race. Lonely Sky and Theyellowlough shared favouritism at 5/2 and they filled the first two places home. Catrionas Choice was prominent to the third last where she began to lose her place. Lonely Sky went on at that point but was quickly followed by Theyellowlough.
A moderate jump at the last by Lonely Sky did not aid her cause and giving Theyellowlough a power packed ride Ross O Sullivan brought his mount with a late thrust on the wide outside and in an exciting finish the Aidan Fitzgerald trained Theyellowlough opened her account by a neck from Lonely Sky with a running on Shewhomustbeobeyed a length and a half further back in third.
In the Terence Morrissey & Associates Maiden six year old maiden contest Derek O Connor gave 3/1 chance Alpha Class a text book front running ride to make every post a winning one. Oscar Three was an early casualty as Alpha Class dictated matters at his own pace up front.
FIRST OF THREE
Teaforthree the lukewarm 9/4 favourite stalked the winner in the last half mile but Alpha Class had plenty in reserve and quickening the tempo he motored on for a four lengths defeat of Teaforthree with Poplebouchon three lengths away in third.
All eleven entries stood their ground in the Michael Ryan sponsored Al Eile Stud Confined Hunt Maiden race. Lough Allen (9/4) stormed into a clear lead from the outset and at one stage must have been twenty five lengths clear of his nearest rival Plan Of Action but judging the pace to perfection young Stephen Keane made eye catching late progress aboard the 6/4 favourite Cresent Place and quickening into the lead on the run to the winning line ‘Cresent’ went on to register a three lengths win over a gallant Lough Allen with Plan Of Action taking third spot. The winner is trained in Aglish by Brian Hallahan.
The sixteen runner Park Hotel Open Lightweight race confined to novice riders attracted some decent previous park performers. Myirishmoll was an early casualty and in the vanguard throughout the well fancied Ballistraw (3/1) eased himself into a back stretch lead but giving his mount a patient ride Josh Halley raced 6/1 shot Afistfullofdollars to the head of affairs on the wide outside. Ballistraw failed to cover that move and shooting clear Afistfullofdollars came home four lengths clear of Ballistraw with Jomasoma five lengths further back in third. The winner is trained in Fethard County Tipperary by John Halley.
Due to deteriorating ground conditions the second last fence was bypassed for the concluding two divisions of the Gain Mares Maiden contest. Favourite backers ended proceedings on a winning note with victory going to Dun See Dee (2/1) and Evesham Star (4/5) both winners partnered to victory by Derek O Connor.
In division one Winter Frolic went to the front on the final circuit but Dun See Dee quickly raced in the leaders slipstream. The favourite was in front before the last fence and despite the best efforts of Winter Frolic the jolly went on to score by a cosy six lengths.
GREAT DAY’S RACING
Ten runners faced the starter in division two where Lisheen set the pace for almost two circuits. The latter stages of this race however really only concerned two horses in Evesham Star and Overnight Fame. While ‘Evesham’ led over the last Damien Murphy did manage to drive up the inside of Derek O Connor aboard the favourite but in a driving finish the market leader prevailed by a length over Overnight Fame.
Eyecatchers. The Robert Tyner trained Kilbeg Opera received a nice introduction to pointing in the six year old contest and should score before the end of the season.
The well related Shewhomustbeobeyed running for local trainer Niall Flynn caught the eye finishing third in the mares maiden race and is one lady to keep on the right side of.
The Ear To The Ground team were in attendance at this fixture and watch out for a feature on this meeting in Ear To The Ground on RTE 1 on Tuesday February 2nd.
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