Darragh Allen attained a notable milestone by partnering his 21st career winner, shedding his five pound claim in the process, aboard the Tom Keating-owned/trained Rookie Trainer in the second division of the Johnson & Perrot Jaguar Landrover four-year-old maiden.
In was the closest finish of the afternoon, Rookie Trainer was engaged in a ding-dong tussle with well-supported newcomer Truckers Pass from two out.
They passed the line racing wide apart with the judge awarding the verdict to Rookie Trainer by a head. The pair returned 10 lengths clear of the third-placed Not Fou Sale.
"He's a lovely horse that has always went very well and we will have to change his address now," said the winning handler.
Jamie Codd, who later travelled to Fairyhouse to win the bumper on former pointer Envoi Allen, experienced the best possible start to the afternoon by capturing the first division of the Johnson & Perrot Jaguar Landrover four-year-old maiden aboard the Denis Murphy newcomer Overthetop.
The Flemensfirth-sired gelding still had more rivals in front of him than behind on the run to two out at by which stage the filly Howya Hun had gone to the front.
Overthetop, a €115,000 graduate of last year's Derby sale hit overdrive on the run to the final fence and he surged clear on the flat to dismiss the filly Monty's Mission by one and a half lengths.
The towering Overthetop was quickly added to the Tattersalls Ireland sale after racing at Cheltenham on Friday December 14th.
The Pat Crowley-trained Walk Away created a hugely-favourable impression on his debut by destroying the opposition in the Johnnys Restaurant & Takeaway and Grocery Store, Watergrasshill five-year-old and upwards geldings’ maiden.
However, that actually doesn't tell the whole story as the winning son of Black Sam Bellamy held in the region of a five-length advantage when over-jumping and then slithering on landing over the final fence.
Declan Queally sat tight as Walk Away regained his equilibrium en-route to staying on stoutly to account for fellow first-timer Moscowsowhat by four lengths in the colours of owner/breeder Gerard Burke from Dungarvan.
Former amateur rider Crowley, said Walk Away is a lovely horse that's still a big baby and has turned into a smashing horse, he was nearly too good at the last. "
Declan Queally actually sent out three winners in his guise as a handler and he opened his account in this capacity when Cloudy Morning ran his rivals ragged in the Michael & Shane O’Riordan Livestock Haulier and Commercial Vehicle Components open for novice riders.
The gelding was bounced out smartly by 19-year-old Michael Sweeney, who was initiating the opening leg of a first career two-timer, and he jumped impeccably at the head of affairs.
The winning 10-year-old, also a former five-time track scorer, pulled clear from two out to dismiss last season's dual hunter chase scorer Macs Legend by eight lengths.
"He's a horse that probably prefers pointing nowadays and Michael [Sweeney] gets a great tune out of him," said Queally of Cloudy Morning, owned by long-standing points supporter Michael O'Donovan from Bartlemy and homebred by his wife Nora.
The Noel Loftus Flooring adjacent maiden saw Michael Sweeney double up by steering Bothar Dubh, representing Eileen O'Mahony, who hails from nearby Knockraha, to a comprehensive front-running success.
Ex-hurdler Bothar Dubh experienced his only semi-anxious moment when almost joined by runner-up Laser Beam after the third last. However the winning son of Malinas powered clear to oblige by 12 lengths.
Ms O'Mahony's brother Neilie was keen to remember his late brother Tom, who sadly passed away 12 months ago, with whom he originally bought Bothar Dubh as a fun horse.
The Gallaghers Gastro Pub, 32 McCurtain Street, Cork mares’ winner of two saw Givemylovetorose completed a memorable treble for handler Declan Queally, by posting an excellent stamina laden performance to capture this closing contest in the hands of Roger Quinlan.
The five-year-old mare, also representing owner Eileen O'Mahony, tracked the front running Alloverafiver until asserting on the climb after two out to beat the pacesetter by eight lengths.
"She is a great jumper and she may now go for a bumper, provided that she is not sold," said Queally of his charge.
Aidan Fitzgerald’s Rosfoyle made a triumphant return to action in the Integrated Wealth Management five-year-old and upwards mares’ maiden.
The bay overcame a final fence mistake under Richie Deegan, before getting the better of promising debutant Oscar Bonnie on the flat to oblige by two lengths in the colours of Doneraile-based owner Declan O'Keeffe.
“She's a very tough mare and Richie gave her a great ride. I'm delighted for Declan [O'Keeffe] and his daughter Kate as they have a horse with me every year," said the Carlow handler.
