Report | Ballyragget 25th Mar 18

North Kilkenny (F) at Ballyragget on Sunday 25th March.

The rescheduled Ballyragget point-to-point took place on Sunday where Jamie Codd enjoyed a three timer and local jockey Richie Deegan recorded a double on the day.

Liam Kennys' Redzor got off the mark at the third time of asking when landing the Tallis & Co and Aidan Brophy five-year-old geldings' maiden for owner Patrick Redmond in the hands of Deegan. The son of Shantou got the upper hand between the final two fences and stayed on gamely on the run in to score by three-lengths to Denis Murphy's Crio Cuervos.  “He has improved from his run the last day and we rode him differently today.  He was third at Ballinaboola but he led all the way to the second last and went off a bit quick so paid the penalty.  He did it well today and looks a nice sort," said Kenny of the Redzor, a first produce and winner out of a half-sister to nine-time winner including the RSA Chase at Cheltenham One Knight. 

Aidan Fitzgerald's faith in Simply Gooch was duly rewarded when the 10-year-old, who was previously retired, landed the Dicks SuperValu Ballyragget five-year-old and upwards adjacent maiden to complete Deegans' brace. Simply Gooch raced prominently throughout and went on from eventual second Well Afford before the last to score readily by 2-and-a-half lengths. The Desert Kind gelding had previously been campaigned inside the rails for connections, posting a career best run to finish third in a Fairyhouse maiden hurdle in April of 2016. “He is owned by Avril and Ewing Barry and they actually retired him last year.  I was over in their place three months ago and I begged them to let me bring him back in which I’m grateful they did and this was the target," divulged a thrilled Fitzgerald. "He is a lovely horse I don’t know what we will do as we focused on getting him ready for today; he could probably go for a winner of one.”

Current leading point-to-point handler Donnchadh Doyle continued his fine season when the Monbeg syndicated silks were once again in the winner’s enclosure when Executive Capilano scored in the Gain Horse Feeds mares’ maiden. The daughter of Milan was coming off a very good debut run at Punchestown in February where she finished fifth to the impressive Caravation. Executive Capilano asserted readily before the second last and put her rivals to bed quickly to extend a ten-length lead on the line under James Walsh. “She had a good run the first day behind a nice mare in ground that was too soft.  She’s a fine big mare with a nice pedigree and she will go on to better things.  She will head to the sales now," said Doyle.

The final three races of the day went the way of former Champion jockey Jamie Codd, who now sits on 30 for the season, just one behind current leader Barry O'Neill. The first of which came in the Connollys Red Mills open lightweight abroad the Rory O'Meara-trained Coolnagorna Giggs, ridden to victory in the colours of O'Meara’s mother Margaret. The crowd at the Co. Kilkenny track were treated to a thrilling finish, with the two veterans fighting it out to the line, with the ultra-consistent Drawn N Drank only denied by a neck. The 12-year-old son of Snurge, a three times track winner when under the care of Tom Hogan, was having his third run for Tipperary based two-horse handler O'Meara. “He’s a lovely horse and gives his best every day.  He really battled well today and got his head in front.  He’s like an old pet. I’m delighted. My brother’s wife had a baby girl today as well so there is plenty to celebrate now," disclosed a delighted O'Meara, who plans to keep Coolnagorna Giggs in open company.

Financial Outcome followed up his maiden success last time out at Tinahely in February with success in the John Dalton & Sons, Chancellors Mills winner of one. Tracking the leaders, the Jamie Codd ridden son of Financial Reward led from two out and asserted readily, with a mistake at the last not impacting his chances to a ten-length success over Cada Club.  “I’m thrilled for dad who bought the horse off breeder Donal Goland.  He was unlucky in his first few races and we probably shouldn’t have run him at Tyrella.  He did it well at Tinahely and showed today that he has matured with the bit of experience and is improving all the time. I think on nicer ground he could be an even better horse," said Brennan of his father Thomas' Financial Outcome, who was added to today’s Ascot sales catalogue. Financial Outcome’s maiden success at Tinahely last month was the sire Financial Rewards first points winner. Standing at Ballinglen Stud in County Wexford the sire is more renowned for producing horses within the show-jumping and eventing sphere.

The concluding John Phelan & Co older geldings’ maiden went the way of the warm favourite Take Revenge for the Martin Brassil yard in the colours of Jane Dwyer. A very comfortable winner, the six-year-old son of Gold Well made most of the running under Codd, and could be called the winner some way out, as he led home Dubai Dandy by six-lengths. “He is a nice horse and just needed some time.  I was disappointed he didn’t finish in Mainstown before Christmas but he learned from that experience and he was impressive today. He has really blossomed since his first run,” said Brassil who indicated his charge could head to the upcoming Goffs UK sales.