Report | Boulta 10th Dec 17

United Hunt (F) Clonmult/Dungourney at Boulta on Sunday 10th December 2017.

This 12-runner Hurleys SuperValu, Midleton four-year-old mares’ maiden developed into a truly dramatic race as Con O’Keeffe’s Kilbarry Angel, a respectable sixth on her debut at Lisronagh in late-October, fell when holding an unassailable advantage at the final fence. Siege Of Tobruk and Getaway Mixie disputed the running until Kilbarry Angel eased past on the run to the third last. Kilbarry Angel was soon gone beyond recall and she held a commanding 10-length advantage on the approach to the final fence. She only had to negotiate the obstacle, but she jumped out to her right and cruelly fell.

The demise of Kilbarry Angel enabled the Niall Kelleher-trained Siege Of Tobruk, a runner-up on her previous start at this same venue a fortnight previously that’s owned by Kinsale-born musician Barry Tierney, to beat the only other finisher Wetbehindtheears by a distance in the hands of Declan Queally. Kelleher, a former amateur that trains just four horses outside Six-Mile-Bridge in Co Clare, remarked: “She would have gone very close here the last day but for making a mistake at the final fence and she will now go to the Cheltenham sales next Friday. I would also like to say a big thank you to Joe Ryan in Broadford for the use of his uphill gallop. “

The John Murphy-owned/trained Press Conference vindicated the promise of his excellent third-placed debut effort at Quakerstown last season by making a victorious return to action in the Hickeys Bros, Precast & Knockcool Gallops four-year-old geldings maiden. Press Conference was always quite well positioned and the winning son of Getaway moved through for John Barry to assume command two out en-route to putting two lengths between himself and long-time leader Kildrum. Upon-based Murphy, who also bred Press Conference through his Highfort Stud remarked: “He’s a horse that we’ve always loved and I was disappointed that he got beaten at Quakerstown last season. He was just a bit green in front here, but he has a huge engine and I’d imagine that we will go for a bumper on better ground next. “Press Conference, a half-brother to Willie Mullins Grade 2 novice hurdle winner Lambro that later developed into a 144-rated chaser, has since been added to this Friday’s Tattersalls Ireland sale after racing at Cheltenham.

Rattle The Cage once again showed his appreciation for this left-handed circuit as he supplemented his success from the November 26th meeting by landing Leahys Open Farm & Hennessy Family Plant Hire Winners Of Two. Rattle The Cage, tracked the front running Allannah’s Gold with his handler Dick Lalor’s daughter Liz until Three Loud Knocks moved into second with three fences remaining. Rattle The Cage is nothing but tough though and he moved back to challenge between the final two fences. He duly mastered the gallant Allannah’s Gold after the last to score by a widening six lengths.

Just two horses lined up BMJ Consultants & Clifford Bar five-year-old-and-upwards adjacent maiden and there was a major surprise when Pat O’Connor’s five-year-old newcomer Sullane Hill got the better of long odds-on shot Walk Waterford. Sullane Hill tracked the market leader and he was sent through by James Hannon to lead on the inner after three out. The result was never in doubt thereafter and, although blundering two out, the son of Witness Box stormed clear from the last to oblige by 15 lengths in the silks of his handler’s long-standing patron Brid Lucey.  O’Connor, who also started off the likes of Cappa Bleu between the flags, indicated that Sullane Hill may now be aimed for a bumper.

Rosmuc Relay gave ample indication of ability by finishing third to The Conditional on his debut here at Boulta two weeks earlier and he showed the necessary progression by landing the Powers Gold Label five-year-old geldings’ maiden contest under Ray Barron. The Presenting-sired Rosmuc Relay always travelled well and he moved through to challenge on the inner from two out. He took command from the final fence, although his task was simplified when the five-length runner-up Vetoncall edged noticeably right-handed in the closing stages. Handler Tom Barry, who started off Teaforthree in points in 2010, trains Rosmuc Relay for Mary Turner. Rosmuc Relay is another that’s bound for the Cheltenham sale this Friday.

The closest finish of the day came in this concluding contest, the East Cork Oil five-year-old-and-upwards mares’ maiden, which saw the biggest field of the afternoon in 16 starters, as the Gerry Kelleher-trained Ruby On Broadway got on top close home to score by a half-length. Ruby On Broadway and Kilbree Shadow had the race to themselves from two out with the eventual winner bravely responding to the urgings of Chris O’Donovan, so cruelly denied aboard Kilbarry Angel in the four-year-old mares’ maiden, to get on top as the line approached to beat Thomas Feeney’s mount. Handler Kelleher, who was also one of the five bookmakers standing at the fixture, remarked: “This mare is owned and bred by Shane Prenderville from Macroom and his father John rides her out with us every day at home. I’d imagine that she will now go to either Aghabullogue or Killeagh next month. “

STAR PERFORMANCE: Con O'Keeffe could have a very smart mare on his hands in Kilbarry Angel who looked set to run out an impressive winner only to come down at the final fence whilst clear.

VIDEOGRAPHER: IRIS