Report | Belharbour 3rd February 2019

Tipperary handler Pat Doyle has a great record around Belharbour and his Fado Des Brosses took the opening Costello Family four-year-old maiden in impressive fashion under Johnny Barry. 

Given a patient ride, the French bred swept through to lead on the run to the final fence where he was left clear by the departure of Goaheadwiththeplan.

This left the successful son of Balko to come home 15 lengths clear of Minella Lightening who filled the runner-up spot. 

This €45,000 Landrover Sale graduate is owned Mary Doyle, wife of the Tipperary handler who was on hand to say: “I think he’s a really good horse. He’ll hopefully go to the sales now.”

Cork native Johnny Barry enjoyed a double at the meeting when Perpignan recorded a two and a half-length success in the Sixmilebridge Co-Op Mart, Kerry Co-Op and Pier Head Bar & Restaurant winner of one.

The seven-year-old was providing former jockey Eddie Power with his first winner as handler on just his first day with runners.

Having received another patient ride, the son of Robin Des Champs picked up the running jumping the penultimate obstacle before staying on gamely to see off Alkaa Lion who filled the runner-up spot.

“We’ve had a great day and I’m over the moon. This is a lovely horse and he will go for a winners of two now in a few weeks and we’ll take it from there then,” said the winning handler who also owns the former Paddy Twomey inmate.

Rob James teamed up with handler Cormac Doyle to take the Tattersalls Ireland five-year-old geldings’ maiden with the debutant In Too Deep.

Owned by the Monbeg Farm Racing Partnership, the gelding jumped and travelled well in a prominent position, before lengthening away in the closing stages to record a comprehensive five-length success over When Your Ready.

Indeed this provided Malinas who stands at Glenview Stud with a one-two in this contest as he sired the first two home. 

Connections eluded the €31,000 Derby sale graduate will now likely be sold.

Osca Loca was a poignant success in the Gain Horse Feeds, Gort Co-Op Mart and MacMahon Oil five-year-old and upwards mares’ maiden, as she was carrying the colours the exors of the late Carl Beame who passed away last summer.

The six-year-old was getting off the mark at the fifth time of asking having previously ran under rules.

Never too far away from the pace the daughter of Oscar showed a likable attitude to get better of the previously placed False Getaway by four and a half lengths.

“I’m delighted for Caitríona, Carl’s wife. This is a mare that will win plenty of races and I’ll speak to Caitríona about future plans for her. Chris is riding very well at the moment and I’m delighted to give him a winner,” said the successful handler Mick Winters.

Clare-native Gearoid O’Loughlin enjoyed a day to remember at what would be his local fixture when, saddling the first two home in the John O’Donnell General Merchant, Clare Marts and Linnanes Lobster Bar open.

James Hannon did the steering aboard the winner Sidetracked, who took a maiden hunter chase at Clonmel last month. The well-bred six-year-old was ridden in mid division, before running on gamely to see-off stable companion Home Farm by a length.

The odds-on favourite Burning Ambition finished back in third under Rob James.

“That was mighty as Sidetracked is still fairly inexperienced at this level. His long-term aim will hopefully be the Bishopscourt Cup in Punchestown. I’m thrilled with the run of Home Farm as well,” said the handler of his runners, both of whom are owned by Chris Jones.
 
James Hannon brought up the double in the concluding Kilnacrandy Farm and Clare Road Tyres six-year-old geldings’ maiden when partnering Serious Mood to success.

The son of Scorpion was getting off the mark at the fourth time of asking having shaped with promise on all his starts to date.

Sporting the colours of Sarah Hogan the six-year-old disputed the running for much of the contest, before fighting out a thrilling finish with the previously placed Generator City, with only a head separating the pair at the line.

“This horse has been unlucky up to now. We thought he was working well and thankfully he got the job done. He’ll be sold now,” said handler Norman Lee who would also be a local of the track.