Report | Ballysteen 14th April 19

The Stonehall hunt avoided the worst of the day’s weather at Ballysteen, with little rainfall throughout the day and it saw Derek O’Connor enjoy success at the Limerick track when recording a quick double on Sunday.

The first of O'Connor's successes came in the Tattersalls Ireland four-year-old maiden aboard Calthoir, a horse that was getting off the mark at the second time of asking having fallen on his debut at Ballynoe late last month.

Having cost €42,000 at the Land Rover sale, the Ellmarie Holden-trained son of Califet eased clear of the field to win as he pleased defeating the Donnchadh Doyle handled runner up Texas Gold by ten lengths.

The winning handler who has a 33% strike-rate in points this season with two wins from six runs said: “This is a lovely horse that we fancied today. He had shown loads of ability at Ballynoe only to fall unluckily. He’ll probably go to a sale now but we’ll relax and enjoy today first.”

Pat Doyle was another to enjoy a Ballysteen double, with the first of his winners completing the O’Connor double in the Dovecote Restaurant Adare and Cllr. Emmett O'Brien five-year-old geldings' maiden with January Jets.

The Presenting gelding, a half-brother to Colreevy and a full brother to Spider Web, has been absent since the autumn when he showed plenty on his debut at Tattersalls Farm.

The well-bred individual held a narrow advantage over Ugo Du Misselot until the newcomer fell at the last leaving the gelding clear of the field and the €55,000 Derby sale graduate went ten lengths clear of the eventual runner up Big Shark.

The winning handler said: “This is a horse with a smashing pedigree. Derek (O’Connor) was very happy with him today and felt there’s loads of improvement to come. He’ll go to the Punchestown Sale now.”

Doyle was back among the winners in the Cois Sionna Credit Union Open with Samanntom in what was the closest finish of the day.

The son of Portrait Gallery was engaged in a thrilling battle from three-out with Timmy Hyde's All Hell Let Loose, with the chestnut getting the verdict to win by a short-head in the hands of the trainer’s daughter Susie Doyle who was recording her second win of the season.

“That was a brilliant race. He’s been a super horse for Susie this season and is a great schoolmaster that we’ll probably move on in May. I’m very proud of Susie as she gave the horse a fabulous ride, she never left the inner,” said the winning handler.

Success in the Davy Mann winner-of-two contest went to owner and handler William Murphy with Bog Lane Baby.

The Olden Times mare was one of just two horses to complete here with Spanish Leather departing two-out, whilst Clutch fell at the third depleting the four-strong field.

Under the guidance of the trainer's wife Moira McElligott, the eight-year-old went on to defeat the Sean Allen-trained Concrete King by three lengths.
The winner, who is shared by the O'Brien family and Ollie Hutton who are all from Tullow in Carlow, had previously enjoyed success at Tinahely in the autumn.

The winning rider said: “This mare won well in Tinahely in the autumn. She’s had her problems but fair play to the gang that own her they kept the faith and it’s great. She may go to Cork over Easter now.”
The son of Flemensfirth, Mister Flemington, gained a deserved success in the Top Of The Town Askeaton six-year-old and upwards geldings’ maiden for novice riders.

The Eoin McDonagh-trained gelding, who has been placed on two of his six starts, battled well when taking the lead at the second-last to defeat Beating The Odds who is owned and handled by Willie Austin.

The winning owner Liam Cleary from Thurles, Tipperary was on hand to greet his winner said: “This horse been running well all season but just bumped into one or two before today. Today was a nice opportunity for him and it worked out well. Eoin (McDonagh) is doing a great job with him and he’ll go for a hunters chase now.”

John Walsh secured the Enzos Cafe and P J Dore Pumps five-year-old mares maiden with Getaway Mag.
The daughter of Getaway made amends here for the father and son partnership of John and James Walsh, as she had been carried out late on at Courtown last weekend.

The winner also completed a weekend double for the younger Walsh who was on the mark at Lougbrickland on the previous afternoon, and he doubled his tally for the weekend when getting the better of the Paul Power-trained the runner up Awesome Lady by a neck.