Point-to-Point Weekly 05-05-2023

Trim triumph

Trim Castle makes asmart debut at Castletown Geoghegan for Camilla Sharples and Simon McGonagle Reports, pages 2-3

DEREK O’CONNOR

‘Mirazur West has always been alovely prospect with a pedigree to match and he didn’t disappoint on Thursday’ Page 4

Foals from his first and second crops sold for €38,000, €38,000, €38,000, €37,000, €31,000, €30,000, €30,000 etc.

BROUGHTTOYOU BY

NH SIRES

SEASON’S LEADERS

IT’S not often a horse who finishes in the frame at the Cheltenham Festival then wins a point-to-point at Dromahane just over a fortnight later

Declan Queally’s Rocky’s Howya achieved the unusual feat by thrashing three rivals in the Redweld Stables open 16 days after finishing fourth to Premier Magic in the St James’s Place Festival Hunters’ Chase.

Rocky’s Howya was bounced out by Chris O’Donovan in his customary front-running role and the son of Ask was footperfect throughout in beating Come To Me by 12 lengths, with the only other finisher, Rose Of Coolbally, 20 lengths adrift

Rocky’s Howya is now the season’s leading pointer with six victories, and the trainer’s son Declan said: “He will stay pointing for the season with a view to trying to become the leading pointer

“He could now come back to the Doneraile meeting here in two weeks for the novice riders’ open, then run in the winners’ race here at the end of the month for maidens at the start of the season.”

Queally was unfortunate not

Star performance

Rocky’s Howya regained winning ways He’s a class act in the open division

to saddle a double as his newcomer Waynes World was unlucky in the Goffs UK Aintree Sale four-year-old maiden.

Waynes World came through to lead from two out after being ridden patiently by O’Donovan, and was clearly travelling best with a two-length advantage when unseating in spectacular fashion at the last.

The Mikey Kennedy-ownedand-trained If You Let Me was the one to take advantage The €26,000 Goffs Land Rover sale graduate, a son of Pether’s Moon and out of a half-sister to Grade 1 World Hurdle winner More Of That, held on valiantly to account for Jasmin Bellevue by a length

“He’s a very nice horse who had a good first run. He’ll probably go to the sales and is also entered in the Goffs Land Rover bumper,” Kennedy said.

He welcomed this change of fortune for his yard after Diamonds For Luck had fallen

when leading at the final fence in the Ballynoe fouryear-old maiden the previous Sunday.

If You Let Me’s rider Johnny Barry completed a double on the David Murphy-trained newcomer Beechfield in the Tattersalls NH five-year-old geldings’ maiden.

The son of Sageburg picked up the running three out and an excellent jump at the last proved decisive as he held on to deny Kilbarry Hill by a short head in the colours of his handler’s father Jeff Murphy.

Newcestown-based Denis Wilson gained his first success as a handler when newcomer Ma Bess prevailed in a cracking finish to the Fitzwilliam Sports five-year-old mares’ maiden.

The Malinas-sired Ma Bess took command 100 yards out to pip dead-heaters’ Easy To Fo llo w and Yo u Are Th e Reason by a half-length under teenager Alan O’Sullivan.

The rider’s cousin Maxine O’Sullivan moved one clear of Moira McElligott in the lady ri der s’ cham pi on sh ip by landing the closing Rathbarry & Glenview Studs adjacent hunts

maiden on her father Eugene O’Sullivan’s One Cool Citizen

A faller at the second-last on his previous start at Liscarroll when going well, the five-yearold led from four out to beat

COUNTY LIMERICK AT RATHCANNON SUNDAY

THERE will be few longer-odds point-to-point winners this season than Daicheadacuig, who sprang a 12-1 surprise in the Maurice Power Solicitors open for novice riders.

The eight-year-old had failed to make much of an impact in eight runs since going close in a handicap chase at Limerick in June, but he was a different proposition under first-season rider Patrick Gleeson.

The pair gained first run on Some Are Lucky off the home be nd and, al tho ugh the odds-on favourite reduced the deficit in the closing stages, Brian Mortell’s charge was three lengths clear at the line

“He’s a great horse and is one I’ve had since he was a baby,” Mortell said. “We might look for a hunter chase with him now before going back to the track for the summer.”

The victory was a first for the

Star performance

Micro Millions looked better suited by this greater test of stamina compared to his Lisronagh debut

23-year-old University of Limerick student, a nephew of handler John Gleeson, and it completed an afternoon which had begun with a riding stint at Dromahane

John Barry also made the 50-kilometre trip from the Cork venue to ride a winner here, when he completed an acrossthe-card treble in the Conack Construction older maiden on Johnny Dogs

Twice on the scoreboard at Dromahane, Barry made all in the Rathcannon finale on the Steve Jones-trained Johnny Dogs, as the Westerner gelding took a big step forward to beat

River Vale by 16 lengths Mc El li go tt wa s on the scoresheet earlier in the day in the Coolmore mares’ winnersof-two, riding Aghmorough Bridge for her husband, Willie

Leading pointer Rocky’s Howya hits rivals for six Student Gleeson earns a first thanks to

Rushmount by four lengths

“He ran very promisingly in Tattersalls before Christmas but lost his confidence a little after he fell in Turtulla,” said David Porter, representing his father, the winning owner Willie Porter

“We’ve been building his confidence back up after that and he did it very well today. Hopefully, he’ll be sold now.”

It was also an afternoon to remember for 19-year-old rider Eoin Staples as the fourlength success of the Paul Pier ce-tr aine d Ge tawa y Theatre in the Mount Coote Stud & Dunraven Arms five and six-y ea r- old ma re s’ maiden was his first “I’m delighted with that,” Staples said. “Last year was my firs t se as on ri din g and hopefully I can pick up more experience and nick another one before the season’s end.”

Micro Millions impressed in the five-year-old geldings’ maiden

50k road dash

Sam Curling’s One For Daisy had to settle for second spot behind Getaway Theatre but the Tipperary handler maintained his successful association with owner John O’Leary when the pair landed the Lord Harrington Memorial maiden with the Derek O’Connorridden Micro Millions.

O’Leary’s silks have been a frequent visitor to the winner’s enclosure this season thanks to the exploits of the reigning champion point-to-point mare La Feline, and the owner, whose SE Systems business is Curling’s yard sponsor, was back in the number one spot when his Milan gelding beat I Ballyadam Moon.

The four-length victory had denied the runner-up’s trainer Terence O’Brien from landing a double at the Limerick venue, as he had sent out Lady Jago to make a winning debut in the

‘It’s great to win the cup in memory of my father’ –poignant win for Kiernan

Paul Leonard Construction & Tattersalls NH four-year-old mares’ maiden.

The first horse the Carrigtwohill handler has trained for Belgooley-based Brendan Hurley, the €5,500 purchase proved to be two and a half lengths too good for fellow newcomer Belle Montrose and will now be sold.

It was a tighter affair in the Goffs UK Aintree Sale-sponsored geldings’ equivalent as the Kirkistown fourth Rokathir was aided by a good round of jumping to record a one-andhalf-length defeat of Will Knott.

A third winner of the season for 19-year-old Oulart rider Be rt ie Fi nn, the Wa lter Connors-owned French-bred completed an across-the-card double for reigning champion Colin Bowe, who was also among the winners at Castletown Geoghegan.

HE AT HER KIE RNAN wa s surrounded by well-wishers after she sent out Cappajune Lady to win the Mullingar Agri Adjacent winners’ race and, more importantly, the cup that commemorates her late father Frankie

The local handler, who is also the fixture’s point-to-point secretary, had been forced to settle for second spot with the daughter of Kalanisi 12 months ago, but the nine-year-old was not to be caught this time as Kells rider Eoghan Finnegan steered the Mark Daviesowned bay to a five-and-a-halflength victory over the maiden Knockiel Synge.

“That wouldn’t have been her ground but she travelled and jumped,” Kiernan said. “She loves this course. She’s consistent here and it’s great to win the hunt cup in memory of my father.”

The day almost got even better for Kiernan as she came within a neck of recording her first double when Shaffrey’s Hill, owned by the trainer’s mother Ita, was beaten by a neck in the Brosna Paints older geldings’ maiden.

Star performance

Bold Enough continues to go from strength to strength in the open division

The Eliot-sired six-year-old had jumped the last upsides I See You Now, but it was David Chr istie’s bay, a £32,000 purchase last May, who got the verdict to complete a hat-trick for Barry O’Neill.

The reigning champion had ini ti at ed a do uble for Fermanagh-based Christie when Bold Enough translated the impressive form of his ba ck-to-b ack Ki rk is town successes to the Westmeath venue in the Charlestown Racing Barbour Cup.

It had been nine years since Christie and the eight-yearold’s owner Ray Nicholas had last won the historic prize together with The Last Derby.

The pair had few moments of worry before again adding their names to the historic cup as the Jeremy gelding easily dismissed the challenge of Aloneamongmillions by seven lengths

“It was only a school for him;

we went steady and he has loads of gears,” O’Neill said. “He jumped impeccably and David’s horses are in great form.”

O’Neill had earlier combined with his principal supporter Colin Bowe as Caher Roes Den beat a big field in the Lynn Lodge Stud five-year-old geldings’ maiden.

Absent since finishing fourth to the impressive Gowran Park bumper winner Tullyhill when making his debut at Moira in October, the Soldier Of Fortune gelding, whom Bowe had purchased from commentator Ger Hannon’s Ralahine Stud, was two and a half lengths too good for Gordon Elliott’s Lough Owel Elliott did not leave the We st meath ve nu e em pty handed, however, as he was able to welcome Trim Castle into the winner’s enclosure after his debut in the Tattersalls NH four-year-old maiden.

A €35,000 purchase from the sponsor’s Derby sale, the Well Chosen gelding was sporting the colours of Elliott’s longstanding travelling head groom Camilla Sharples and head groom Simon McGonagle.

Trim Castle is likely to be sold to remain at Cullentra stables after his five-length defeat of Sixmilebridge under the in-form Harry Swan. Wexford handler Mick Goff came out on the wrong side of a photo-finish at Dromahane on Sunday, but he enjoyed better fortune in the photo for the Ga lile o Chr ome ma re s’ maiden.

His Melleray Hill had failed to justify strong market support for her debut at Kildorrery, but her supporters recouped those losses when she beat the recent Durrow runner-up Emily’s Choice by a short head –denying O’Neill a four-timer

Mikey Sweeney was unable to take the ride during his seven-day suspension, but he was on hand to welcome her into the winner’s enclosure.

“That means the world to us,” Sweeney said. “My neighbour down home Niall Hennessy and I own her and we have her in training with Mick

“We knew she had a great chance and we were very confident coming here that she wouldn’t be beaten She’ll head to the sales now.”

(Above) Rocky’s Howya notches his sixth victory of the season in the Dromahane open; (right) Bold Enough gives Barry O’Neill the second leg of a hat-trick at Castletown Geoghegan

Murphy. She asserted from two out to beat Sarah Jane by four lengths in the silks of the Tullow-based O’Toole family.

DerekO’Connor Straight to thePoint Johnnywhoa name to remember as Holden graduatesstep forward

IHAVE been fortunatetobe associatedwith anumberof good horses trainedby Ellmarie Holden, and it wasa neatcoincidence that twoof them wonbumpers at around the same time last Thursday

First up wasJohnywho,a Califet geldingwho impressed me when he wononhis debutatRathcannon duringthe autumn season of 2021.

He made all that day, beatinga horseofDonnchadh Doyle’sbyabig margin with the Caroline McCaldintrainednewcomer Hermes Allen in third.

That formlookedgood when Hermes Allen wonhis nextrace at Kirkistown andwas sold for £350,000 to join Paul Nicholls.Itlooked even better when Hermes Allen wonhis firstthree races over hurdles this season, includingthe Grade 1 ChallowHurdle.Hefailedtodo himself justiceinthe Ballymorebut he’ll be asmart chasingprospectfor nextseason if all goeswell.

While all that washappening, Johnnywho went off to join Jonjo O’Neill’s team. It has taken a while, buthemadehis racecourse debuton

Thursday’sTaunton card andgavea performance that wasworth waiting for.Ridden by JonjoJr, he travelled powerfully and didn’t come off the bridle to beat aPaulNicholls-trained runner,Pentire Head, who was havinghis thirdrun andhad been placedtwice

Johnnywho should make his mark in novice hurdles nextseasonand I would expecthim to stay well. His dam Howaya Petwas agood staying handicapperfor GerryKeane, Colin Keane’s father

Shewas fourth to Numbersixvaldverde in an Irish National. Iremember Jamie Codd rode her to winthe Conyngham Cup at Punchestown.Itwas still afourmile race in thosedays, andinthat particular year,itwas ahigh-class race.The mare beat HotWeld,who hadjustwon the National Hunt ChaseatCheltenham for Ferdy Murphyand later wonthe Scottish National and the Betfred Gold Cupat Sandown.

Twenty minutes after Johnnywho wonfor owner JP McManusat Taunton Iwas gettingaboard

MirazurWestinthe same colours for Willie Mullins in the bumper at Naas, hopingfor abetter outcome than

when Irodehim firsttime outfor Ellmarie at Dromahane in November.That daywewere on ourway to winning when he fell at the last, leavingthe John

Nallen-trainedMinella Double to takeadvantage

That wasjustone of those things that canhappenin amaiden first time out.

He’s alwaysbeena lovely prospect with apedigreetomatch sincehe’sabrother to the Champion Bumper winner and Grade 1novice chase winner FernyHollow. He didn’t disappoint on Thursday. He coasted alonginfront and Iwas always happy. He pickedupreally well in the straight to winreadily from two nice horses,He’sMyHeroand Mahon’sWay

Ireckonitwas astrongbumper. He’s My Hero wasapromising

second for Matthew Flynn O’Connor at Dromahaneand wasboughtby Paul Nolanfor £120,000 at the Goffs UK AintreeSale IrodeMahon’sWay to winat Lisronaghfor Denis Hoganin November and he made £360,000 at the Tattersalls Cheltenham

November Sale,joiningHenryde Bromhead.

Therewas alsoaninteresting bumper on the same afternoon at Limerick. IthoughtBioluminescence hadagood chance for Gavin Cromwell. Irodeher to winatBoulta inNovemberand reckoneditwould takeagood one to beat her.Asit turnedout,she couldn’t quite match theWillie Mullins-trainednewcomer JuntaMarvel. Both maresare worth bearinginmind for nextseason’s novice hurdlingcampaign.

Neat turn of foot puts Trim Castle on the right road

Trim Castle wasthe pickofthe weekend four-year-old maiden winners.TrainedbyGordon Elliott for CamillaSharples and Simon McGonagle,the Well Chosen gelding found agood turn of foot for Harry Swan to landthe openingrace at Castletown Geoghegan.He’sfrom the familyofSizingGranite,who won aGrade 1novicechase at Aintreefor HenrydeBromhead.

Therewas an Elliottconnection to the winner of the four-year-old mares’ eventatRathcannon. The Terence O’Brien-trainedwinner Lady Jago is by Getawayout of Clara Mc Cloud, who wonthree times over hurdles for Gordon after startingout with MichaelCondon, whowon a point-to-pointand amaidenhurdle with her Declan Queally’s newcomer Waynes Worldseemedtobeheading for victorywhen exitingatthe lastin the Dromahane four-year-old maiden. LisronaghthirdIfYou Let Me took advantage to winfor ownertrainer MichaelKennedy.

Tworiders recordedtheir firstwins on Sunday’sRathcannon card.Eoin Staples,a youngerbrother of experiencedrider Sean Staples,rode GetawayTheatretobeatmymount OneFor Daisyinamares’maiden, and PatrickGleeson, havingonly his sixth ride,partnered Daicheadacuig to asurprisewin for trainer Brian Mortell in the open for novice riders David Christie’s Bold Enough made it three in arow when taking the open at CastletownGeoghegan, the middle legofa treble for Barry O’Neill, who nowlooks certain to winaseventh consecutivetitle as he hasstretched his lead over Rob James to 18.

Rocky’s Howya, who rana brave race to finish fourth at Cheltenham, extendedhis unbeatenpoint-topointrecordtosix by winningthe open at Dromahaneunder Chris O’Donovan.

He’s agreat example of ahorse who hasbeentransformed by the switch to point-to-pointing. Last autumn he wasstrugglingin beginners’chasesand handicap hurdles

Startingwithan18-length maiden winatBallycrystal in October, he has wonsix races by an aggregateof134 lengths.That’s some record.

‘Barry O’Neill now lookscertain to wina seventh consecutivetitle sincehehas stretchedhis lead over RobJames to 18’

MirazurWesttakes thebumper at Naas to make it twovictories forEllmarieHoldengraduates in quick succession

CAROLINE NORRIS (RACINGPOST.COM/PHOTOS)

PETITEPARISIENNE

Coltex.CoolParisienne, adaughterofdualGrade1 winneroverhurdles

, ownedbyCoolmara Stables

ColtexDuchessOfSeville,ahalf-sisterto Grade1WorldHurdlewinnerPENHILL, ownedbyParkvilleStud

Fillyex.Bestow,ahalf-sistertothe€100,000AonNoviceH’cap ChasewinnerOPERATINGandtothedamofGrade2winner THEGLANCINGQUEEN,ownedbyMrsElizabethMoore ofBallincurrigHouseStud