Week Two - Lisgoold
Sheltering returns in style

Lisgoold 7/1/2001
15 fences, just over 3 circuits.
Right handed track. Tough climb on turning out past winning post with 3 quick fences on the climb. Then downhill run to 4th fence and bend to negotiate before 5th fence in home straight. Going heavy, more testing than Dromahane on Monday. 6 race card became an 8 racer with 2 divides.

Race 1---Confined United Hunt Maiden(5yrs+)
11 went to post but as with a number of these confined races it was not competitive. Family Business (5yr Over The River) a good 3rd on his sole run as a 4yr old was purchased in the close season by Carrigtwohill publican cum trainer Seamus Cotter. His form looked well above that of the opposition and he was dispatched the 4/7 jolly. With 2nd fav Tabekat (7m Good Thyne) pulling up at half way having burst, Family Business who was prominent throughout won comfortably by 3 lengths from the fully exposed Appel Island. I was not that impressed by this performance, as this well touted individual looked fit in the paddock before racing, and I don't see much improvement on that front. More will be known about the ability of Family Business if he steps out in winners company next time---possibly at local track Carrigtwohill at the start of Feb.

Race 2--------Adjacent Hunt Maiden,5 yr olds only.
Another weakly contested event with just 7 facing the starter. Slieve Leave (ch g Long Leave) who had been placed 4th at Listowel in a September bumper, opened the 1/2 fav but drifted to Evens in the ring. This was not surprising as he looked wired to the moon and had to be mounted on the track and then bolted to the start.
After these antics it was no great shock when Slieve Leave quickly pulled his way to the front when the race commenced. He ran too freely for the first circuit but jockey Davy Russell got him jumping well. Terracurra Beauty (Eurobus 1/2 sister to Earthmover) tracked him for a circuit and a half before tamely folding.
Going out on to the final circuit San Marino (Le Bavard 1/2 brother to Fours Are Wild) came through to challenge Slieve Leave. They kept company until Eoin O Grady kicked San Marino clear on the downhill run to 2 out. From there on he extended his advantage to win by well over a distance from the legless Slieve Leave.
This was a fine performance from San Marino whose only other appearance was last Monday when he was pulled up after the second fence with a slipped saddle.
On this performance he could make into a decent staying handicap chaser and he clearly relished the testing conditions. As for Slieve Leave his antics apart, his jumping was fine and he can collect on better ground, maybe a trip short of 3 miles might suit him also.
Always Good a (Riot Helmet) 1/2 brother to Struggles Glory was tailed off throughout and showed nil.

Race 3----Open Lightweight --No Penalties.
Just 4 runners. Sheltering, Ex Paul Barber False Tail (now with Gerry Cully) and two veterans Harrys Secret & The Dasher Doyle. Philip Fenton sent Sheltering to lead from outset and with the exception of a brief period before and after the 4th when False Tail led, Sheltering enjoyed an uncontested spin around. He was successful in this race last year although it was a stronger event then. In reality the 3 opponents offered no challenge throughout. The Dasher Doyle fell 5 out, and Sheltering quickened into a 10 length lead approaching 2 out and was never in any danger after. False Tail appeared to hang turning right handed into the home straight each time but he got up in the final stride to take second from Harrys Secret. I was quite impressed by False Tail and he was not unduly knocked about. It was a pithy that he did not put it up to Sheltering, but maybe connections were wisely taking a long term view and on this performance provided he remains sound, False Tail will have little trouble lifting his 4 opens.
Sheltering did not appear as fit today as he was in this event last year which may be a good thing. His jumping looks top handicap class so it remains a mystery why he jumped so poorly last year at Cheltenham, maybe he will show his true colours this season. Trainer Eddie O Grady is on holidays but long time assistant Timmy Finn told me that his program will be the exact same as last year with Leopardstown next on the agenda. Incidentally he also told me that the yards decent novice chaser from last year , a former winning pointer, Up For The Game (full brother to The Grey Monk) is out for the season injured, but that Nick Dundee is in great shape after his Leopardstown run and suffered no ill effects.

Race 4---Mares Maiden(6yr+) This was Divided.

Division 1.
Eric McNamara's Elaine Beo was sent to post the 2/1 favourite on this it's debut. This 6yr Roselier full sister to Mary Reveley's A Piece Of Cake and 1/2 sister to Noel Meade's Kings Valley (a winner at Naas today), looked a nice sort in the parade ring and had champion pilot JT McNamara up. The Tom Costello camp introduced Legal Lady(6yr Over The River) who was well touted but she fell at the first. Elaine Beo shared the lead for most of the journey with Princess Rosa but dropped that opponent 3 from home. Anotherlittledolly then came with a run that quickly petered out. Elaine Beo came to the last fence with a 10 length lead but put in a slow jump. Another Sirrah (7yr Buckskin) who was last for most of the trip had slowly crept into the race and was fully 20 lengths of the favourite 2 out, but with the jolly faltering she put in a flying leap at the last and came with a wet sail to snatch the spoils on the line.

Of the pair involved at the finish I think that Elaine Beo has a future on the track albeit at a modest level, and she looks a moral to gain compensation next time. The only other mare of note here was Fair Enough (6 Phardante 1/2 sister to Woodfield Gale) who was going well when falling at halfway.

Division 2
The weaker of the 2 divisions with the fully exposed Pretty Young Thing (7yr Yashgan-form -pp5ppb45ppp-) sent off favourite. She was in the van for most of the journey until tackled by On The Mobile 2 out, and that 6 year old daughter of Spanish Place quickened away to win convincingly. On The Mobile had shaped well in a few bumpers and on this evidence may be good enough to win a mares winners event. I would not hold out much hope for the rest.

Race 5---Gelding Maiden 6yr +. This was Divided.

Division 1.
There was a gamble on the Eoin Gallagher ridden debutante Hellodock (6yr Dry Dock) 6/4- 4/5. There was no great pace on here and plenty had chances with 3 to jump. Cool Climate had disputed for most of the way but was headed by Hellodock who burst to the lead running to the second last. However the favourite was slow here and Cool Climate fought back to lead on the turn for home. J T McNamara asked Cool Climate (8yr Zaffaran) for a big jump at the last, and when the gelding responded it looked as though the champion was off the mark for the season, however as had happened earlier to JT his mount emptied on the run in, and Hellodock rallied and much to the delight of his supporters snatched the spoils on the line.

The 3rd, 4th and 5th were not beaten that far here, but if taking the slack pace of the race not to be misleading, Dragon Tie (7y Alphabatim) 3rd, Times Past(6 yr Commanche Run) 4th, and Sir Mark Brunel (6 yr Over The River) 5th(in particular) could collect similar races in the coming weeks. The runner up Cool Climate will bid for consolation in the confined race at the Scarteen point in 2 weeks. As for the winner Hellodock given that he may improve on this his debut, a small winners race may fall his way.

Division 2
Datito a good second behind subsequent bumper winner Anxious Moments on his only outing last year at Lismore went to post the well backed 4/7 favourite.
The Costello runner No Stranger (6y Roselier) shared the lead with West Pal (7y Lancastrian) until he weaken after the 3rd last. Davy Russell had bided his time out the backdoor on Datito but at this point had moved him up to challenge for the lead. West Pal had a narrow advantage away from the second last, and he and Datito quickened away from the remainder as they turned for home. Datito
just had the advantage coming to the last, which he safely jumped and he held the persistent challenge of West Pal by a few lengths. Datito (6yr Over The River) should make an honest staying handicap chaser as a park career surely beckons. West Pal had failed to complete on his 3 outings in 2000, but jumped soundly in this race, and he will get his day shortly.

Race 6---Winners Of 2 --No Penalties.
9 runners. Only 3 with any chance.
Minino a winner on Monday at Dromahane was a solid 4/5 jolly. Ballyvalogue who was 6th in Monday's open was a weak second favourite at 4/1, the same price as Glen Bree Native. These 3 dominated throughout, Damien Murphy kicked Minino clear on the run to the second last and opened up a 12 length lead away from that fence. Minino was relishing the testing conditions and sailed over the last to win by 25L. Glen Bree Native was just holding Ballyvalogue for the second berth when tumbling at the last, leaving Ballyvalogue a remote second.
This was Minino (8y Glacial Storm) second victory in 6 days since his repatriation and he may collect an open in such testing conditions. Ballyvalogue(6y Air Display) has ability but connections will have to be patient and wait for better ground.

Results

Race 1-Confined—
1--Family Business (J Sheehan)
2--Appel Island
3--State In Emergency. 11 Ran.

Race 2-5yr Adj Maiden –
1--San Marinie (E O Grady)
2--Slieve Leave
3--Grange Classic. 7 Ran.

Race 3--Open --
1--Sheltering(P Fenton)
2--False Tail
3--Harrys Secret. 4 Ran.

Race 4--6+Mares Maiden
Div1--
1--Another Sirrah (J Sheehan)
2--Elaine Beo
3--Kristinas Lady. 11 Ran.

Div2—
1--On The Mobile (A McNamara)
2--Pretty Young Thing. 10 Ran.

Race 5--6+Geld Maiden
Div1—
1--Hellodock(E Gallagher)
2--Cool Climate
3--Dragon Tie. 11 Ran.

Div2—
1--Datito(D Russell)
2--West Pal
3--No Stranger.10 Ran.

Race 6--W/2---------
1--Minino (D Murphy)
2--Ballyvalogue. 9 Ran

Next Weeks Points
14/1/2001
Aghabullogue, Cork.
Tinahely, Wicklow.
Askeaton, Limerick.

Week One - Dromahane

Dromahane (1/1/2001)
15 fences, 3 miles, going heavy, very strong side winds not helping in home straight. Home straight consists of 3 quick fences in final 3 furlongs, so a good test of jumping at speed.

Race 1 --- Confined Maiden
Manfred Mann (7yo g Mandalus) attempted to make all, jumped very well in the hands of Pat O Keeffe (ex Josh Gifford), but tired in last in 2 furlongs and a slow jump at the last allowed the favourite Lucky Leader (6yo g Supreme Leader) to pip him in the dying strides. The winner had been well beaten in 2 previous bumper runs, so this was a modest event.

Race 2---5 yr Maiden Powers Qualifier
The first Powers qualifier of the year and a field containing some horses with definite park potential. This race was run in a hailstorm with the wind also blowing a gale so it was a slowly run affair. It got interesting on the final circuit.
A group of 7 were well bunched arriving at the third last, but we lost the Enda Bolger newcomer Druids Glen here. At the second last, the leader Michael Hourigan's Moss Bawn fell, leaving Ballyhampshire Boy in front from Noble Justice and Keen Leader. 3 in line over the last and Noble Justice just quickened too well for Keen Leader and Bh Boy. Noble Justice (Jurado) ran two good races as a 4 yr old and looks a decent prospect as his turn of foot will be more effective on better ground. This Liam Cashman trained winner will probably win an English bumper before the end of this UK NH season. Druids Glen (Un Desperado) looked well in the paddock but the trainer felt beforehand that the ground was against him. Jockey JT McNamara reported that the horse gave him a good feel.
I think that Michael Hourigan's Moss Bawn (Jurado) could be very good. Experienced amateur Gordon Elliott said he would have won but for his fall and will be Cheltenham class in time. Could be the best pointer that Hourigan has produced from the pointing field since Dorans Pride. He looked a real chasing type in the paddock.
Keen Leader trained by Tom Busteed delighted his handler. This son of Supreme Leader according to Tom will easily win a bumper, and was unsuited by the pace of the race, a stronger pace may have allowed him to outstay the opposition. This horse is well regarded and if he returns for another point, he will win blindfolded.
Tom Costello ran 2 here that were not fancied, but should improve for the run. Beechgrove Gale (Toulon) who had 3 runs last year ran well until the second last, and debutante Over Anxious (Over The River) lived up to his name in the paddock, and toured around out the back for 2 circuits. But this 3/4 brother to both Into The Red and Over The Road, wouldn't always be as green, and could make headlines before the end of the year.

Race 3---6 yr Gelding Maiden
On paper there were 4 with chances but the original favourite Kilcrea Shyan (Husyan) was said to be in need of the outing and he faded a mile out. Jumping the 4th last Millstream Court led the field a merry dance from a closing Aibitir (Alphabatim) with Charafad (Andretti) making strong headway. The 3 began to group as they left the back straight, but Charafad slipped up before the home turn. Millstream Court and Aibitir engaged in a great battle up the home straight, with Eoin Gallagher just forcing Aibitir up close home.

Aibitir , Charafad and Millstream Court (2nd to Tik A Tai) all had respectable form last year so this was a notable 6 yr maiden. Millstream Court will have no problem collecting a maiden and might do well as a 2 1/2 mile handicap chaser in England as he jumps well and is a reliable front runner. Charafad was an unlucky loser and can atone soon, and is another who will collect on the track proper.

Race 4---Open Lightweight no pens
Its unlikely that a stronger open will be run in Ireland in 2001. This race featured 4 hunter chase winners and 4 racecourse winners since 1998. It was a cracking race, run at a strong pace. That pace was set by Ballydonnelly (9yo Be My Native), an ex E O Grady bumper winner, who lead until tiring approaching 3 out. Michael Hourigans Father Andy (2nd at Aintree in 2000) took over and fended off Theretisforya, Rockholm Boy, Gunther McBride, Glacial Waters, Ballyvalogue and Nellie Gale, but had to give best on the run in to Strontium, which Davy Russell delivered late and to telling effect to score by little over a length. This race will no doubt provide the form basis for most Munster Opens during the next 2 months.
Strontium (9yo Strong Gale) was a very decent novice hurdler 2 years ago and finished second in a grade 1 novice hurdle at the Punchestown festival. He is not allowed hunter chase in Ireland but can in England, whether he can reproduce performances like this is open to question. 

Father Andy looks good for further hunter chase success, but is a no go for the 4 mile at Cheltenham as he will not get the trip. He needs better ground and a return to Aintree is his seasonal target. Decent mare Nellie Gale (9yo Strong Gale) owned by Brian Harding's parents usually needs her first race every year and on this form will collect more opens and hunter chases. She finished 5th.

Enda Bolger's promising 6 yr old Gunther McBride (Glacial Storm) was 4th which was pleasing as he was badly in need of the outing. He can make into one of Ireland's top hunter chasers, and a possible for the 4miler at the festival Enda's other runner here, dual track winner Glacial Waters (8yo Glacial Storm) ran OK for 2 1/2 miles but cut little ice at the finish.

Former decent track performer Sam Vaughan hails from a yard out of form and showed little, the same remark applies to Tom Costello's You Know Best who looks a shadow of his former best, at 10, age is catching up with him. Ballydonnelly showed enough to hint at open success in lesser company, if he remains sound.
Michael Hourigan's second runner Rockholm Boy was in the van throughout and just held third place. He looked well exposed on the track, but won 2 points last year, and should collect more this year. However on the evidence of this run it is a surprise that he has not been returned to the track to take advantage of his good handicap mark.
Ballyvalogue (6yo Air Display) looked progressive winning 2 late season good ground points last year. This individual trained by Ron Flavin's father was taking on more experienced rivals for his first open outing, and ran a cracker to finish 6th. Looks an improving sort who may be good enough to collect at least a hunter chase this campaign.

Race 5---Winners of One no maidens.
A 13 runner event won easily by the repatriated Minino (a winner at Cottenham in 2000). Back with Gerry Cully this 8 yr old son of Glacial Storm made all and suggest that he is up to winning in open company. Nothing else appeals from this race. Ex English Le Cabro D'Or was up to his UK antics before falling at the second. He has joined the Costello team.

Race 6-- 6 yr old Mares Maiden
9 ran but 3 were out after the second, the two joint favourites Marys Fun and The Ould Boreen had a great tussle with the former coming out on top to give Eoin Gallagher a start of season double. Marys Fun (Glacial Storm) can be temperamental but on a going day has talent. The Ould Boreen (Good Thyne) wouldn't be a maiden for long and finished 2nd on her final outing last year deserves a visit to the winners enclosure.

Results

Confined
1-Lucky Leader (J O Brien)
2-Manfred Mann

5 yr geldings maiden
1-Noble Justice (P Cashman)
2-Keen Leader ( J Sheehan)
3-Ballyhampshire Boy

6 yr geldings maiden
1-Aibitir ( E Gallagher)
2-Millstream Court ( J O Brien)
3-Rendari (P Cashman)

Open
1-Strontium (D Russell)
2-Father Andy (G Elliott)
3-Rockholm Boy (B Moran)

Winners Of One
1-Minino (D Murphy)
2-Jot 'Em Down ( JT McNamara)

6 Mares Maiden
1-Marys Fun ( E Gallagher)
2-The Ould Boreen ( J A Collins)
3- Aghawadda Queen ( D Russell)

This page was updated - Thursday January 03, 2002 05:35:56 PM