The opening day Necarne on Friday saw Colin Bowe send out three winners to join Donnchadh Doyle at head of the trainer's table on 26 winners, whilst Rob James took the riding honours kicking home a treble.
Colin Bowe got off the mark in the Guinness U.D.V. five-year-old mares’ maiden when the Barry O'Neill-ridden Do You Know What came home six lengths in front of Listentothewomen and in the process providing the jockey with his 50th winner of the season. Niall Doolan’s homebred daughter of Dubai Destination overtook long-time leader Ringaringarosie before the third last, and remained in front of the field at the final fence, where closest rival Oscar Light crashed out when challenging. “She had her first run for me at Dawstown the last day and she has really improved for the run," commented the handler. Owner Niall Doolan from Limerick remarked; “She gallops and she stays and she is a decent filly. She will go to the sales." Do You Know What is out of an own-sister to Weird Al, the winner of six-races including the Grade two Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby.
The Thomas Coleman-owned Morroman made a favourable return to competitive action following a break since pulling up in January, as he took the Albert Bartlett five-year-old geldings’ maiden. The Gold Well gelding went to the head of affairs with half a mile to travel and could be called the winner before the last, staying on strongly under Rob James to lead home Classic Escape by four-lengths. "He had a lovely run the first day, but was a bit disappointing in January so we gave him a break. He came back better than ever and is an improving sort who will head to the sales now,” reported Bowe of Morraman, who is out of a half-sister to winners Turbulance and Sparkling River.
The Fermanagh Harriers Buttons six-year-old mares’ maiden went the way of the Milestone Racing Partnership’s Cushinstown Finest. Appearing the second string from the treble seeking yard of Bowe, with his other runner in the race, Tornado Sky sent off a well-supported odds-on favourite, it was this daughter of Trans Island who stepped-up markedly from her debut at Largy to uphold stable honours. Rob James sent his mount for home approaching the third-last, and she began to gain the upper hand rounding the home bend, to ultimately run out an eight-length winner. “We will see how she is after this and could either head to a bumper or the sales with her,” reported Bowe of his charge, who was bred by syndicate member Liam Carty.
James was successful earlier in the day when partnering the Pat Doyle-trained newcomer Miss Batten to a very impressive victory in the second division of the Devenish Nutrition four-year-old mares’ maiden. A half-sister to Shotgun Paddy, Miss Batten, mounted her challenge at the second-last and show a very good turn of foot to swiftly wrap up the race in the home straight. Sealing victory with a good jump at the last, the daughter of Vinnie Roe stayed-on gamely to come home eight lengths clear of nearest pursuer Quivvy Lough. “She is a smashing mare bought at the August sales. She has been doing everything right and is from a lovely pedigree. She has plenty of pace and jumps well and will head to the sales now," reported Doyle of his wife Mary’s half-sister to Sean Doyle’s recent Lisronagh maiden debut winner Shotgun Sally.
The opening division of the Devenish Nutrition four-year-old mares’ maiden was won by recent Largy runner-up Ebaa Hana under Lar O'Carroll. The daughter of Anabaa Blue may well have had her task simplified with the departure of Robin Des Sivola and the strong travelling Methodtothemadness at the final fence, however she stretched eight lengths ahead of Subtle Quest for follow-up her eye catching second placed finis at Largy on debut. “Lar said she was a wee bit green in front but had the beating of the others when they fell at the last. She’s a lovely mare and had a great run the first say closing on the winner to the line," divulged Gary McGill of the now sales bound Ebaa Hana, who is a half-sister to Grade 3 winner Alisier D’Irlande.
The Beta Chance Syndicates' Cavite Beta followed up his recent success at Loughrea to land the Barry Healy & Company Solicitors Ladies open, making it a sixth win between the flags for the 12-year-old. The Jim Dreaper-trained son of Old Vic made all under Maxine O'Sullivan and was left clear before the penultimate fence, and with just two obstacles left to negotiate, Cavite Beta left his supporters with little to worry about, running out an easy ten-length winner over the only other finisher Mart Lane. “He was great there for Maxine and depending on ground he will run again as long as the ground doesn’t get any quicker," reported Tom Dreaper, son of the handler.
Recent Loughanmore winner James Boru continues to impress by taking the Harte Peat & T P Topping winner of three on his first step up into winners’ company for owner Victor McCrea. Once again ridden to victory by Noel McParlan, the son of Brian Boru overcame a mistake at the third-last to come home eight-lengths ahead of Top Flyer. “He was great again there today. He’s a lovely horse and came out of last week’s race really well. We will see how he is tomorrow and he could run again next week, " disclosed Kelly, who is enjoying his most successful season to date, having sent out six winner from 12 on a very healthy 50% strike rate.
