Report | Lingstown 11th Mar 18

Killinick (H) at Lingstown on Sunday 11th March 2018.

On a day to remember for the Monbeg Syndicate, it was their Thatsy who initiated a two-timer for jockey James Walsh and local handler Donnachadh Doyle, contributing to the trainers incredible weekend tally of seven winners. The Martaline newcomer led throughout and although the favourite and eventual second, The Captains Inn, laid down a challenge approaching the straight, the winner could not be reeled in, overcoming a slight mistake at the last to win somewhat snugly by three-lengths. With the winning handler travelling to Ballyarthur to witness his remarkable four-timer, it was his younger brother Gearoid who commented; “He is a really nice horse who did it well and should improve again from this. He finished the race well and we will now head to the sales.”

The winning partnership had to wait until the penultimate race for the concluding leg of their double with King Of The Sharks just getting the better of the only other finisher, Lady Mantilla, in the Rostoonstown Stud winners of two. King of the Sharks, a maiden winner at Oldtown last month, put in a better jump at the last and battled gamely to see off the nicely bred mare by three quarters of a length. This victory brings Walsh’s season tally to seven thus far, making this current season the Wicklow native’s most successful to date. “He is big tough horse who battled to the line. James (Walsh) gave him a super ride and we are lucky to have such good lads working for us,” said Gearoid Doyle of the Monbeg Syndicate’s Flemensfirth gelding.

The now familiar green and orange silks of the Monbeg Syndicate were seen in the winners enclosure at the Co. Wexford track for a third time throughout the day, when Sean Doyle's newcomer, Bubble Of Gold, took the honors in the Slaney Foods five-year-old geldings’ maiden in the hands of Jamie Scallan. The winning son of Gold Well stylishly asserted entering the straight and had a clear advantage over his rivals when producing a fine final fence jump to win in decisive fashion over the more experienced The Tangler Barry. The youngest of the Doyles' was once again called upon for a comment, reporting: “He is lovely big horse who we took our time with as he was a bit weak but he has done that very well today. That was Jamie’s first ride for us and he gave him a great ride”.

It was a day to remember for local jockey Sean Staples as he registered his first career success when steering the Ashleigh Murphy-trained Redbridge Gold to victory in the Moortown Stud five-year-old mares’ maiden in the colours of her husband Michael. Showing notable improvement from her fourth-placed finish at Tyrella in January, the daughter of Gold Well held off the challenge of odds-on favourite Rosie And Millie by three lengths to record a popular local success. "She has improved from her last two outings, and we were saving her for today as it is our local track. Although she would prefer better ground she did it well," reflected the winning owner of his five-year-old. "We are just going to enjoy today and then we will see what is next for her”.

A winner at Borris House on Friday, Vital Island showed no ill effects for the quick turnaround to land Padge Berry Race open lightweight over the banks course for owner and handler Richard O'Keefe. This recent form shows a significant improvement for the winning son of Trans Island who was well beaten over course and distance back in November. Recording a seven-lengths victory in the hands of Sean O'Keefe, Vital Island battled gamely to see off the attentions of another quick returnee in My Murphy, who had finished third in the Tetretema Cup at Gowran Park 24 hours earlier. Having shown this liking for racing over the banks, Vital Island is set to be aimed at the Punchestown festival, with the winning handler eyeing up a tilt at the Ladies Cup for his charge.

Local supporters had further reason to cheer in the concluding IRE Wel Pallets six-year-old maiden as James Devereux's Ard Chros stepped up from his fourth-placed effort at Mainstown in December by returning to the number one slot in the hands of Shane O'Rourke for Vincent Devereux. The six-year-old, having just his third start between the flags, always travelled well and had too many gears to hold off Gold Runner by three-lengths, with the favourite Newlands Cross having to settle for third. "I kept this horse for this meeting as it is our local track and he did it well today," said the handler of the homebred son of Publisher. "I am not sure whether he will go for a winners’ race or to the sales.”




 
picture: ard chros