Report | Liscarroll 24th March 2019

On an afternoon that saw TV presenter Mary Kennedy in attendance with the Nationwide camera crew, the Colin Bowe-trained Papa Tango Charly impressed by posting a scintillating debut under Barry O'Neill in the Goffs UK Aintree Sale four-year-old maiden.

Always well positioned in this 10-runner contest and he moved through to dispute briefly with long-time leader Fort Summer on the incline from four-out.

The winning son of No Risk At All took command on the run to two-out and he unleashed a devastating turn of foot after this penultimate obstacle, forging clear on the run to the final fence to account for Big Bresil by four lengths. 

"He's a nice slick type that was always pleasing us at home and he will be sold now," said Bowe of Papa Tango Charly owned by Una Connors.

Topline Burtons, Kanturk five-year-old mares’ maiden saw the Sam Curling-trained Forthegreatergood vindicate the promise she displayed by finishing second on her previous two starts at Kilfeacle and Nenagh by coming home as she pleased under Derek O'Connor.

The daughter of Yeats was always positioned close to the pace and the result was never in doubt once the eventual winner moved through to challenge long-time leader Rockfield Fame on the run to two-out.

The five-year-old then powered clear to dismiss recent Lismore runner-up Finisk Mist by six lengths. "She deserved that, the drying ground helped and her experience also stood to her," said Curling of the 2017 Fairyhouse August sale graduate, whom he shares with his father-in-law Jim Doyle.

Mikey Kennedy's New Earth supplemented his maiden success at the Killeagh Harries meeting at Boulta in January by winning hard-held under talented claimer Michael O'Sullivan in the Sygma Automation winner of one.

The gelding, who fell when lying in second spot at the last on his most recent start in the Bandon winners contest won by Monty's Mission, led from the third fence and the towering son of Getaway got into a lovely rhythm in front.

He seemed to be containing the pursuing Aughnacurra King when the market-leader fell two-out and he then coasted home with 25 lengths to spare over Alloverafiver.

"I'm delighted with that performance, the track and the drying ground suited him today and he will now go for a winners of two,” said handler Kennedy of New Earth, owned and bred by long-standing point’s supporter Karen O'Driscoll.

The FarmFirst Insurance five-year-old geldings’ maiden saw the Donnchadh Doyle-trained Keep Wondering atoned for slipping up after three-out on his previous start in Ballycahane on March 3rd by returning to the coveted number one slot with Rob James.

The bay who was a runner-up on his sole outing last term at Oldcastle, made progress from mid-division three-out.

With fractional leader Ashtown Lad erring at the second last, Keep Wondering touched down in front over this penultimate obstacle and he swept clear on the run to the final fence to account for last month's Knockanard runner-up Barrowlands by eight lengths.

"He's a gorgeous big horse that was bought as a three-year-old at the Land Rover sale. He will now go to the sales," said handler Doyle of the Monbeg Syndicate-owned winner.

Michael Winters likes nothing more than to have a winner at this meeting and the Kanturk-based handler struck with Winter Getaway in the Collins Bros Garage, Liscarroll older mares’ maiden, which attracted the biggest field of the afternoon in 17 starters.

The winner made progress for Chris O'Donovan from the third last and she stormed past Lemon Hill on the inner after two-out.

The result was never in doubt thereafter and with the promising Lemon Hill then unseating at the final fence when destined for the runner-up berth, it was left to West Vintage to secure second spot with the ultimate winning margin being four lengths.

"She was sick at Christmas time and she's a laid-back sort that has only come back to herself over the past few weeks. She's a lovely prospect for the future," said Winters of Winter Getaway, owned and bred by Edmond Cogan from Doneraile.

The Exors of late Dr. R.J. Sheehy older geldings’ maiden is one that will live long in the memory of Bernard O'Neill as the Mallow native, who works as a financial analyst for Gasworks Ireland, rode his initial winner since the autumn of 2007 by returning to the coveted number one slot here aboard the Eoghan O'Grady-trained Doyen Bay.

A respectable fourth on his return to points duty in the Kildorrery adjacent hunts maiden last month, Doyen Bay made virtually all the running.

His task however was greatly simplified when the challenging Witness Protection made a race-ending blunder two-out and the winning son of Doyen ultimately defeated Kanturk Bard by seven lengths in the colours of Eamonn Tarant from Banteer.

"Bernard rode four seconds for me recently. It's great to give him a winner at a local meeting and he comes in to ride out with us at weekends," said Ballyclough-based operator O'Grady.