Report | Largy 20th Apr 18

Leading novice rider Sean O'Keeffe is enjoying a very successful season to date and he added another winner to his tally when steering the Ashleigh Murphy-trained Wild Polly to victory in the Air Core four-year-old mares maiden.

The daughter of Mahler, who ran well for a long time before unseating at the fourth-last on debut against geldings’ at Bellharbour in February, travelled smoothly here to take the lead before the last and despite running wide at the final bend, raced out a one-and-a-half length winner over the newcomer Ebaa Hana.

“We have always thought a lot of this mare, which is why we ran her against the geldings’ the first day. She is a lovely mare with a good temperment and she has a nice pedigree too.  She will head to the sales now," reported Michel Murphy of his own Wild Polly. "That’s the first time Sean sat on her and it’s his first ride and winner for us."

The Colin Bowe-trained Inishbel stepped up markedly from her sixth-place finish at Loughanmore last time out to land the Killultagh Estates five-year-old mares’ maiden in the hands of Rob James. The Pat McCartan-owned daughter of Arakan enjoyed the faster underfoot conditions and could be called the winner from some way out, taking up the lead form the fourth last and staying on well to score in the end by five-lengths to Shelcomeonfordrun.

“She’s a lovely mare and really came on for her last run.  Rob said she jumped great and did it well,” commented Pat Nolan on behalf of the absent Colin Bowe. The winning owner indicated that his 2016 Tattersalls August Sales purchase Inishbel will head to the sales next. 

Brian Hamiliton’s Some Response followed up his recent maiden success to power to a 12-length victory in The Stonebridge Premium Feeds winner of one under Jamie Codd, providing the jockey with the first of two winners on the card. The six-year-old son of Court Cave raced in mid-division before jumping his way to the front over two-out as he ran out and easy winner over Spud's Trouble.

“He has improved again from his win at Loughanmore.  He really travelled sweetly throughout with the stronger pace and he settled well.  He was impressive there.  He will hopefully head for a Downpatrick maiden hunter Chase next month," divulged a delighted Hamilton.

Codd brought up the second leg of his brace in the incident packed Tughans six-year-old geldings’ maiden abroad Mr & Mrs Raymond Anderson Greens' Uluroo. The Sam Curling-trained runner would have to be called a fortunate winner, as favourite Hill Of Keash crashed out at the last and Hi Murphy exited through the wings to leave the winner 10-lengths clear over eventual runner-up Monkey Harris.

The track recruit who had run four times under rules across the Irish Sea was having his second run between the flags here for connections, having been beaten at short odds on his debut in this sphere at Inch last month.

"He had a few decent runs in England and the owners sent him to Sam (Curling) to have a go in point-to-points.  Although he was fortunate today he is a progressive sort and keeps improving," commented Codd post race in the absence of the winning handler. 

Liz Lalor extended her grasp on the ladies titles with a tenth winner of the campaign by guiding Red Devil Boys to victory in the McKinstry Skip Hire ladies open. The John Hegarty-owned son of Oscar galloped clear before the last, but just clung on to victory by the line, as he just held off the fast finishing Sir Des Champs by one-length. Incidentally Red Devil Boys was previously a winner of a four-year-old maiden at this venue in 2011 when in the care of Colin Bowe.

“He has taken a while to come to himself but he is a vastly improved horse on that better ground.  Liz gave him a great ride.  We will run him again in open company over the next few weeks," disclosed trainer David Christie of Red Devil Boys, a four time British track winner when with John Ferguson.

Second at Loughanmore at the beginning of the month, the William McLernon-trained Corus Girl went one better in the Killultagh Hunt Supporters six-year-old and upwards mares’ maiden in the hands of Brian Lawless, supplying the young jockey with his initial success of the season.

Sporting the colours of John Fitzpatrick, the progressive Corus Girl looked to have the upper hand at the final fence, when the well-supported pace setter Tornado Sky crashed out leaving the daughter of Kayf Tara to record a six-length victory over Lady Of Derrygally.

“She has been improving all season and it’s all finally come into place. I’m delighted for John Fitzpatrick and Brian gave her a great ride.  We could look for a hunter chase or a mares’ winners race next," commented McLernon.