FOREWORD
Thanks to Declan Phelan, for allowing us to post his weekly
 review on the current Irish Point-to-point season. This could prove to be a valuable guide for horses to watch out for next season... Hope you enjoy it
Week 3-
Aghabullogue, Askeaton, & Tinahely-13/1/2002
This Sunday we had 3 meetings spread
around the country.
The Cork venue was at Aghabullogue, where
the ground was surprisingly good, on a beautifully mild winter's day.
Star of the show was jockey Damien Murphy
who recorded a treble. He kicked off by winning the opening race, a
division of the mares maiden on Gerry Cully's Southotel (7
Broken Hearted) who just got the better of a great scrap with younger
mare Dellaheena Lass(6
Safety Catch). The latter is a progressive mare who can oblige in a
maiden in the coming weeks . Others worth a mention from this race are
Rustic Steel(7 Jolly Jake), in the lead when
forced out by loose horses at the 5th last, and Misty Monday(6
Ex Perk) & Executive Roseann (6 Ex Perk), both
vying for 3rd when falling independently at the last.
The second division produced a classy
winner when debutant Ballyknock Alainn (6
Witness Box) oozed class to overcome uneasy favourite Cherry
Ride (7 Kings Ride). A couple of other future winners from
this race may be , the 4th Shiny Button (6 Bobs
Return) & Sabrina Supreme((8 Supreme Leader).
The Powers Qualifier went the way of
the 5/4 favourite Cray Valley Jet (6
Roselier) who led throughout to hold the gallant Joe
Deane(6 Alphabatim). Both winner & runner up had
run the previous week at Lisgoold, and have clearly progressed. The
winner was paying a complement to his conqueror Over Anxious (apparently
about to join Hen Knight) and can make a respectable 3 mile chaser on
the track. The runner up is another budding handicap chaser, a stocky
sort who reminds me greatly of another former Irish pointer, Lance
Armstrong. Joe Deane will win a maiden in the coming weeks and would
provide a prospective owner with a lot of fun. The second favourite in
this race was Freeby (5
Ex Perk) trained by Coolmore vet John Halley. He was strongly fancied
but took a soft fall at halfway, and atonement should not be long
coming, if the vibes about this horse are translated onto the field of
play.
The Open was won by Wexford raider Over
To Bens(9 Over the River) who looked a winner from a long way
out, as his market rival No Problem was never travelling well.
Damien Murphy notched his second winner
on Kanturk Dinosaur(7 Mr
Lord). This strapping sort turned the older horses maiden into a
procession. He is a beautiful mover who has been given time to fill
his frame, and would make a superb buy for anyone looking for a horse
to win a bagful of UK points and eventually develop into a hunter
chaser. So if you want a star Hunter chaser buy this horse.
Tribal Run (7 Be My
Native) became the first dual point winner of 2002, when winning
a soft winners race, adding to his New Years Day win at Dromahane.
The concluding adjacent maiden featured
the finish of the day when Damien Murphy on Clearly
In Motion(5 Clearly Bust), just prevailed in a head
bobbing conclusion from Lord Martell(7 Mr Lord). This
was a commendable display by the winner, as he was the only 5 year old
in the field and he can do well on the track proper. The second
showed good determination, an asset that will help in the future. The
third Aughmor River, the 5/4 fav, was disappointing.
Horses In red future
winners
Aghabullogue----3 & 1/4 circuits, left
handed,16 fences. Going Good (soft in places)
1A--5yrs+ Mares Maiden Div 1
1-Southotel---D Murphy
2-Dellaheena Lass
3-China Storm
3l,Dist. 15 ran.
1B--5yrs+ Mares Maiden Div 2
1-Ballyknock Alainn---J Sheehan
2-Cherry Ride
3-Thornbury Lady
1 ½l,5l. 15 Ran.
2-5/6yrs Geldings Maiden--Powers Qualifier
1-Cray Valley Jet---E Gallagher
2-Joe Deane
3-Executive Ace
2l,Dist. 14 ran.
3-Open
1-Over To Bens---D Russell
2-No Problem
3-The Hen Hut
6l,Nk. 9 Ran.
4-7yr+ Geldings Maiden
1-Kanturk Dinosaur---D Murphy
2-Ask The King
3-Manavite 10l,20l.
11Ran.
5-Winners Of 1
1-Tribal Run---W O Sullivan
2-Vicars Chalet
3-Always On The Line
10l,15l, 8 Ran.
6-Adjacent Hunt Maiden (5yrs+)
1-Clearly In Motion---D Murphy
2-Lord Martell
3-Aughmor River
Hd,12l. 8 Ran.
The first meeting of the season on the
western circuit was held at Askeaton in Limerick. Local jockey JT
McNamara recorded a treble.
However the day did not start as expected
for JT, he was on the Enda Bolger trained Draw
Again (5 Toulon), an Autumn point winner. This 1/1 fav,
looked a little burly before racing, and found little at the finish as
the more experienced The Bean House(8 Classic Memory)
stayed on strongly to win for Michael Hourigan. The winner now goes
for Hunter Chases, and he should win one. Draw Again faded to 4th, but
will improve.
The most impressive horse on view at
Askeaton was Strong Flow(5
Over The River) who toyed with the opposition to make it winner number
4 of the season for the Costello family. He may not have beaten much
here, but is certainly one to follow. Second was Shady Lad(5
Aaysaylad) one of the lesser lights in Enda Bolger's yard, but can be
found a small maiden.
The strength of JT proved vital on Your
Almost There(6 Phardante) which just outpointed Johnyyouronlyjoken(6
Roselier), which should have won the 6 yr maiden. Supreme
Emmet(7 Supreme Leader) won a dreadful confined race for Eric
McNamara.
J T completed his treble on Lady
Medina(7 Be My Native) which routed the opposition in
the 7+ mares maiden and landed a neat gamble(3/1 to 6/4). She is one
to follow in mares winners races.
Askeaton----3 circuits, left handed,15
fences. Going Yielding/Soft.
1-Winners Of 3
1-The Bean House---R Harding
2-Welcome Hero
3-Icy Calm
2l,Nk. 6 Ran.
2-5yr Geldings Maiden
1-Strong Flow---Tony Costello
2-Shady Lad
3-Aos Danna
3l, 1½l. 6 Ran.
3-6yr Geldings Maiden
1-Your Almost There---J T McNamara
2-Johnyyouronlyjoken
3-The Vintage Dancer ½l,10l.
11 Ran.
4-Confined Maiden(5yr+)
1-Supreme Emmet---J T McNamara
2-Who's Eddie 1l.
6 Ran.
5A-7yrs+ Maiden Div 1
1-A Good Mistake---J Conheady
2-Lakefield Rover
3-Asabache
20l,3l. 11 Ran.
5B-7yrs+ Maiden Div 2
1-Lady Medina---J T McNamara
2-Out The Road
3-Allduckandnodinner
10l,20l. 11 Ran.
6-Mares Maiden,5,6,7yrs.
1-Lough Lein Leader---D O Connor
2-Hazelwood
Dist. 9 Ran.
Tinahely staged the first Leinster meet of
the season and William Codd had a memorable day winning 3 races, and
his younger brother John also got in on the act riding the winner of
the closing race.
Former track horse Blue Irish collected
the Open for W Codd & Sue Bramall and will be aimed at the
Foxhunters.
Codd had earlier won the opener on Yassar(7
Yashgan) for Pat Heffernan, a horse who is good enough to progress to
a successful track performer. The third leg of the Codd treble was
supplied by the Padge Berry trained Boonaboroo(6
Glacial Storm) who just pipped the mare Love Divided(7m
Kings Ride). Berry's horse a half brother to Amberleigh House is
bound for the Doncaster sales in May but can add to his win tally
between the flags before then.
Treveragh(5m
Jolly Jake) landed a gamble for the Kevin O Brien yard(6/1 to
3/1) when getting the better of a good tussle with Halley's
Comet(6 m Roselier) in the 5/6 mares maiden. The runner up
can go one better in a few weeks at Ballon her local track.
The 5/6 Powers Qualifier was won in
convincing fashion by Bill Durkin's grey
Would You Believe(6 Derrylin) who outclassed his
opponents. The winner had finished 3rd in the corresponding race last
year, and can make his mark on the track. The Berry horse Coonogue(6
Jurado) was a little disappointing, but will shortly be paying a
visit to the winner's enclosure.
Tinahely---3 circuits, right handed,15
fences. Going Yielding/Soft.
1-Geldings Maiden 7/8 yrs.
1-Yassar---W Codd
2-Summer In The Sun
3-Ballyday Taz 10l,4l.
13 Ran.
2-Open
1-Blue Irish---W Codd
2-Impulsive Dream
3-Killowenly Boy
3l,6l. 12 Ran.
3-Geldings Maiden 5/6 Powers Qualifier
1-Would You Believe---R Quinn
2-Master Flaherty
3-Master Of Doom
15l,4l. 15 Ran.
4-Mares Maiden 5/6 Div2
1-Treveragh---J Clarke
2-Halley's Comet
3-Tullywood Queen
1l,10l. 16 Ran.
5-Winners Of 1
1-Boonaboroo---W Codd
2-Love Divided
3-Givus A Song ½l,6l.
11 Ran.
6A-Geldings Maiden 7/8yrs Div 1
1-Royal Alpha---J Fortune
2-Kemethra
3-Red Gap Leader ½l,2l.
13 Ran.
6B-Geldings Maiden 7/8yrs. Div 2
1-Coolgarrow---J Codd
2-Appleway
3-Apache Lass
6l,6l. 15 Ran.
Week 2-Lisgoold-6/1/2002
On Sunday we had an entertaining 7 race card,
including one divide. The Costello team stole the honours with a treble, and
Sheltering made a winning reappearance.
The opening race was a confined maiden for 5
yrs+, which attracted 14 runners. In a weak event Millview Rose(5m Glacial
Storm) lost out in a close finish to the vastly experienced Appel
Island(8m Duky). The only horse worth following out of this race was
the 3rd home, Joe Deane(6
Alphabatim), a fine strapping chestnut who should improve for the run, as he
looked a little on the burly side before the race.
The next race was a competitive 5yr old maiden.
Tom Busteed who last year produced Keen Leader saddled two debutants in this
event, the favourite Fern Lord (Mr Lord 1/2 brother to Mossy Fern) and Calithyne
(Good Thyne). Fern Lord (6/4) was prominent throughout, always
pestered by his market rival and newcomer Supreme Catch (Supreme
Leader)(5/2). Supreme Catch and pilot Davy Russell got the better of the jolly
at the second last, and looked set for a win when bounding 5 lengths clear
approaching the last. But J T McNamara suddenly got to work on Calithyne and
made rapid inroads on the leader, and Calithyne poked his head in front on the
line. Calithyne (7/1) is not the biggest of horses, but one could not but be
taken by his willing attitude at the finish. Definitely a horse who will
win over hurdles on the track.
The runner up Supreme Catch can gain compensation
shortly. Trained by Aiden Kennedy, who uses his yard as an Irish nursery for
Richard Rowe, that's where you are bound to see Supreme Catch find a UK home
in the near future, but he is nothing special on this run. The third Fern Lord,
is a fine strapping son of Mr Lord, who looks a lovely long term
chasing prospect, when he fills his impressive frame, a future pointing
success looks a formality. A couple of others who hinted at future glory were,
the 4th Lucky Turf (Wood Chanter), & the Cashman
horse Canterbury Jack (Supreme Leader) which pulled up.
The Open had 8 runners with Sheltering(1/6),
having a cakewalk on paper. Edward O Grady's charge made all for a snug, eased
down 4L win, having survived a blunder 2 out. The exposed Glenahary Rose
captured the second spot ahead of a disappointing No Problem.
Sheltering is normally partnered by Philip Fenton,
but Karl Wyse deputised on this occasion. Looking at him pre race he looked fit, and my overall impression is that Sheltering on the evidence of this race
is sadly regressing. His next run should be more informative.
The 4th race was a 6+ mares maiden, which saw Davy
Russell atone for an earlier narrow defeat, when he galvanised Janie
Boots(6 Lord Americo) to overhaul front runner Commanche Wave(7
Commanche Run) in the dying stages. The winner then survived an objection from
the second. The favourite in this race Cherry Ride (7 Kings Ride)(3/1) fell at
halfway when going well. But the real eye-catcher was the third home Cush
Jewel (6 Executive Perk). This mare was given a splendid educational
ride by Eoin Gallagher, and will no doubt reward her supporters in the near
future.
The 5th race featured the first divide of the
current campaign. In the first division of the 6+ Geldings
maiden,16 faced the starter. Calder Ridge (6 Beau Sher) with track form, was
the 7/4 favourite but was never travelling. With 1/2 mile to go up to 8 horses
had a chance but from the turn to the last No Stranger(7
Roselier) & Bewleys Hotel (6 Muharib) quickened up, with the former just
getting the better of the exchanges to win by a length. The winner a grey
trained by John Costello & ridden by his brother Tony, is a third
season pointer, and his experience told here. The 3rd and 4th, Johnyyouronlyjoken
& Summers Day, both like the winner, grey sons
of Roselier, but 6 yr olds, shaped with plenty of promise, as did newcomer
Lisnagar Hide (6 Buckskin).
The Second division, was a strong betting heat
with money for the three who fought out the finish. The Tom Costello trained Over
Anxious(6 Over The River) had some high class form last year,
including an excellent second to potential superstar Tuco. He drifted from 4/6
to a generous 6/4 before ending on 1/1. Cray
Valley Jet (6 Roselier) had caught the eye on his sole outing
last year behind Keen Leader, and came in for substantial support 4/1-2/1-5/2,
while ex track horse Daylight Robbery (7 Gunner B) had support at 5/1. In the
race these three dominated, until Cray Valley Jet wilted at the second last.
There after Over Anxious was always holding Daylight Robbery, and he was
coaxed home by Tony Costello for a confidence boosting victory. Over Anxious from the family of Into The Red &
Over The Road, has the potential to make a very decent chaser in time, but is
likely to be campaigned in hunter chases and points this winter, and is not a
horse to oppose lightly in either grade. The runner up can click on his local
Wexford circuit, and Cray Valley Jet will have sharpened his game by virtue of
this run. Down the field the 4th Muscadier(7 Roselier) never threatened,
but may pick up a small race, Paul Cashman's Silver Castle(6
Roscoe Blake) showed talent, and Jimmy Mangan's See More Bills(7
Seymour Hicks) might win his local Tallow confined in February.
The concluding Winner Of 2 race went the way of
the John Costello trained 7 yr old Cracking Dawn (Be
My Native 1/2 brother to Castle Coin). this 1/1 fav sat in behind pace setters
Seefinn Prince & Sober Performance. The latter, a winner on New Year's day
at Dromahane, took up the running 3 out, but was not able to resist the
telling challenge of Cracking Dawn from the second last. Cracking Dawn may head to hunter chasing
now, the
3rd home, the mare Pretty Young Thing(8 Yashgan) showed enough to suggest she
may win another Mares Open, and the 4th Vicars Chalet, a winner in 2001 at
Knockanard, got a good blow out, and could be good enough to win a winner of
one.
Horses in red considered future racecourse/point
winners
Lisgoold----3 circuits, right handed,15 fences. Going Soft.
1---Confined Maiden 5yr+
1-Appel Island--Paul Crowley
2-Millview Rose
3-Joe Deane
½l,6l. 14Ran
2---5yr Maiden
1-Calithyne--J T McNamara
2-Supreme Catch
3-Fern Lord
hd,8l. 13 Ran
3---Open
1-Sheltering---Karl Wyse
2-Glenahary Rose
3-No Problem
4l,6l. 8 ran
4---6yr+ Mares Maiden
1-Janie Boots---Davy Russell
2-Commanche Wave
3-Cush Jewel
hd,6l. 14 Ran
5---6yr+ Geldings Maiden Div 1
1-No Stranger---Tony Costello
2-Bewleys Hotels
3-Johnyyouronlyjoken
1l,6l. 16 Ran
5---6yr+ Geldings Maiden Div 2
1-Over Anxious---Tony Costello
2-Daylight Robbery
3-Cray Valley Jet 2
½l, 6l. 16 Ran
6---Winners Of 2
1-Cracking Dawn---Derek O Connor
2-Sober Performance
3-Pretty Young Thing
7l,Dist. 9 Ran
Week
1-Dromahane-1/1/2002
The 2002 Pointing campaign kicked off
as per usual with the traditional New Years meet at Dromahane.
The meeting survived a very late
inspection due to the heavy overnight frost. Part of the home straight
was a little crusty for the early races resulting in some small fields.
This fixture is run by the
Kanturk Duhallow committee and it was fitting that one of the backbone
of that committee should steal the honours. Eugene O Sullivan trained the
first 3 winners, all partnered by his younger bother William.
Proceedings opened with a modest
confined hunt, with only 5 starters. The joint favs were the O Sullivan
trained Tribal Run (7 Be My Native) and newcomer Spruce
Goose (Phardante, full brother to Sublime Fellow), both sent to
post at 2/1.
This pair fought it out for the final
mile, with the Trevor Hemmings owned Tribal Run, putting his track
experience to good stead, eventually winning by 25L from Spruce Goose.
The runner up will improve, and can take a point in the coming weeks.
The 2nd race the 5 year old maiden,
produced a high quality field last year, including Noble Justice, Keen
Leader, Ballyhampshire Boy, Moss Bawn & Druids Glen. Sadly the
frosty surface kept a number of well touted individuals in their
horseboxes ,with only 3 competing. The Pat Doyle trained/Timmy Hyde
owned Court Award (Montelimar) & the O Sullivan trained Sweet
Citizen (Supreme Leader) were the 1/1 joint favs. Sweet
Citizen made all, jumping accurately, and was left clear
when the chasing Court Award unshipped his pilot 4 out. The winner had
3 solid runs in the Autumn pointing season, including an excellent 3rd
in November over C/D behind the high class Kick For Touch (now with
Hen Knight). Sweet Citizen which will no doubt win on the track, was
another Hemmings owned winner. Court Award
can gain compensation shortly against lesser opponents.
The 6/7 year old maiden was
competitive with 11 runners. The O Sullivan camp, completed the treble
here with Tuba (7 Orchestra), who beat stable companion
Aughmor River by 15L. Tuba had cost Trevor Hemmings 30k as a store,
and disappointed during spells in recent seasons with Nicky Richards
& Sue Smith. Tuba looked rejuvenated in this contest and connections
believe he is now going to take advantage of his current handicap
rating when returning to the track shortly. Treasure King (6
Treasure Hunter), and newcomers Bemo One (6 Rashar) & Newratking (6
Shardari) finished well behind but shaped with encouragement
.
The Open went the way of 11 year old Brambledale
who collared long time leader False Tail on the run in. The
latter's stable mate No Problem (5/4) never threatened in 5th, but will improve for the run.
Liz Doyle rode & trained the
victor of the Winner Of 1, Sober Performance (8
Bruff Crozier). This free running sort, established a big lead and was
never in danger of defeat. Welcome Hero & Kilcaskin
Gold dead heated for second. Kilcaskin Gold (7 Ore)
has track potential, but can click in a winners contest shortly.
The closing 6 yr old mares maiden,
featured a gamble on Executive Roseann (Ex
Perk) but she fell at the 7th. Heather Belle (Ex Perk) & Sulemar
(S Leader) subsequently dominated, with Davy Russell driving Heather
Belle clear 3 out for a decisive success. The runner up Sulemar,
trained by Donie O Connell will compensate her supporters shortly.
Horses in Red considered
future racecourse winners
Dromahane----3 circuits, left handed,
15 fences. Going Good (crusty in patches)
1--Hunt Maiden
1-Tribal Run ---W O Sullivan
2-Spruce Goose
3-Asabache
25l,Dist. 5 Ran.
2--5 Yr Old Maiden Geldings Only
1-Sweet Citizen---W O Sullivan
2-Mr Plexo
Dist. 3 Ran.
3--6/7 Yr Old Maiden Geldings Only
1-Tuba---W O Sullivan
2-Aughmor River
3-Treasure King 15l,20l.
11 Ran.
4--Open
1-Brambledale--T Lombard
2-False Tail
3-Mucky Man
¾l,9l. 9 Ran.
5--Winners Of 1
1-Sober Performance--Liz Doyle
2-Kilcaskin Gold
2-Welcome Hero 25l,D/H.
10 Ran.
6--6 Mares Maiden
1-Heather Belle--D Russell
2-Sulemar
3-Little Nancy
15l,Dist. 7 Ran.
Autumn Point-to-point
Season
Due to the Foot & Mouth outbreak
the Irish point fraternity raced out of season in the Autumn.
The following are a list of the noteworthy horses from Autumn 2001.
Ace Of Spades
All On John
Backpacker--sold
to UK recently, from same yard as Take Control & Classified,
not gone to Pipe. *****
Ballybeau
Ballyconnell--recently
bought by Dermot Weld.*****
Ballygowan--E O Grady ***
Ballywalter--**
Behaving Badly--recent Hexham winner
Brews Hill
Captain Moonlight--recent Thurles
bumper winner, Thomond O Mara,**
Ceol Tire-M Hourigan-*
Climate
Control-***
Dark
Room-Enda Bolger-*****
Draw
Again-Jonjo O Neill-*****
Drumbo-won Downpatrick bumper
Eoins Pride- Enda Bolger,Hunter
Chaser-***
Executive Director--Michael
Cullen,3rd in recent Punchestown novice hurdle,**
Eyze -E O Grady **
Hume Castle
Joe
Blake - Ian Ferguson, Hunter Chaser,****
Joint Authority - G Stewart-**
Kick
For Touch -Henrietta Knight-*****
Kilbready Boy - 2nd in decent Chepstow
bumper--T George-**
Kings Arctic-John Hassett
Knock Em Back
Lord Bush - H De Bromhead-***
Lord
Maizey -John Berry-****
Magic Of Sydney - Philip
Rothwell-**
Marino West - N Babbage-**
More
Luck - sold to UK-****
Multi Talented
Old Buddy-R Rowe
One Trio - G Stewart-4th in
Leopardstown Xmas bumper-***
Only
Once -G Stewart-****
Our Kev - R Rowe-***
Outside The Door - Jonjo O Neill-****
Par Three - Jonjo O Neill-***
Strawberry Bob
Supreme Justice
Tristan Ludlow - Jonjo O Neill-***
Tsar Party
Tubber Streams
U Shuld Always Ask - T Taaffe-***
What A Man
Winners Enclosure
Woodys Ice.
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