Report | Dromohane 10th November 2019

The Aidan Fitzgerald-trained Queens Brook vindicated the promise of her third-placed debut effort behind Cill Anna at Monksgrange in late March by making a triumphant return to action in the Tattersalls Ireland four-year-old mares’ maiden.

The winning daughter of Shirocco, a half-sister to Emma Lavelle's prolific handicap chaser Shotgun Paddy, ultimately returned with two lengths to spare under Richie Deegan over staying-on newcomer Hand In My Pocket.
"We fancied her at Monksgrange last season and, whilst the track was a bit tight for her there, I couldn't believe that she got beaten. She will now go to the Cheltenham sales on Friday," said Fitzgerald.

Colin Bowe, on the scoreboard with Visionarian at Knockmullen House, completed an across-the-card double when the physically imposing newcomer Sleepysaurus came home as he pleased under Barry O'Neill in the first division of the Tattersalls Ireland four-year-old geldings’ maiden.
The son of Authorized took command after three-out where he then strode clear to beat Long Stay by six lengths in the style of a smart staying sort.
Winning handler Bowe said: "He's a lovely big horse that's still a bit weak and he will now be sold.”

The Paul Cashman-trained Castle Robin became the second of three individual points winners over the weekend produced by the Lafontaine mare Coco Opera, with Crossing Lines and Arctic  Skipper being the others, when he was guided to victory in the second division of the Tattersalls Ireland four-year-old geldings’ maiden by James Hannon.
The son of Robin Des Champs, who still held the call when unseating before the last at 
Rathcannon in April, took advantage of runner-up Enemenemynemo’s final fence blunder to go on and win by two and a half lengths.
"He's a real old-fashioned chasing type and he just takes a lot of work to get ready. I'm delighted for James [Hannon] as he gave him a great ride. James is a like a good wine in that he's getting better with age," said Cashman

Newcomer Hollymount Holly justified the ten-hour round trip from handler Patrick Turley's Downpatrick base in Co Down by landing The Committee five-year-old mares’ maiden with Declan Lavery aboard.
Sporting the colours of handler's wife Mary Kelly, the winning daughter of Doyen bounded clear from her rivals to beat favourite Pellady by 12 lengths.
Northern handler Patrick Turley said: "She's a nice mare and it has just taken her a long time to grow. She will now go to a sale."
   
Absent handler Liz Doyle struck with the French-bred newcomer Eklat De Rire in the The Committee five-year-old geldings’ maiden.
Owned by Mrs Glen Howitt, the son of Saddex maintained a narrow advantage on the run-in to dismiss the well-bred Carrig Copper by a widening neck in the hands of Finian Maguire.
Speaking with handler Doyle later in the day she said: “I’ve always liked Eklat De Dire and that's why I went to Dromahane with him. He will now head to the Cheltenham sales. "

2016 Grade 2 Fortria Chase winner Arctic Skipper made a winning return to action under Johnny Barry in The Committee open lightweight race.
Arctic Skipper, a three-time points winner last season, is nothing but tough and the former 150-rated chaser surged past the gallant Mount Colah in the closing stages to score by three parts of a length.
Handler Vincent Halley said: "He's a lightly-raced horse and the slow pace here suited him as he's not fully wound up yet. We will mix it with him in points and opens this season."

There was a real family success in The Committee five-year-old and upwards adjacent maiden as Maxine O'Sullivan brought home her father Eugene's former track performer Kilcolman DJ in front, to get the better of runner-up Aracaras with a neck ultimately separating the pair providing the father/daughter partnership with their initial successes of the season.
Running in the colours of winning owner P.J Hammond, the Suleiman gelding was making his point-to-point debut having had an unsuccessful stint on the track last season where he was last seen running in Clonmel last February.