Report | Boulta 08th December 2019

Michelle Duggan’s Fresh Appeal stepped up from her sixth-placed debut effort at Dromahane last month by winning an incident-packed first division of the Hurley’s SuperValu Midleton four-year-old mares’ maiden.

Kilbree Warrior was still in pole position when falling two-out and Not A Loss then fell whilst leading at the last.

This paved the way for the Cal Shine-ridden Fresh Appeal to dismiss Humble Glory by a widening two lengths in the colours of Mallow-based breeder Sean Leahy.

Handler Ms Duggan said: “She needed the run at Dromahane and she will be a lovely filly going forwards.”

The second division of the Hurley’s SuperValu Midleton four-year-old mares’ maiden witnessed a dead-heat between owner/trainer John Halley’s Found On and Robin Des Smoke, the mount of handler Benny Walsh.

Recent Boulta third Robin Des Smoke appeared the most likely winner once going to the front before three out, but the David Kiely-ridden Found On stayed on to join issue as the line approached.

“She’s a fine big sort that jumps like a buck and she will now be sold,“ said Walsh’s wife Jenny.
Halley said: “She’s a lovely big filly that I bought as a foal and, if she’s not sold, we will go to the track with her.”

The Mick Goff-trained newcomer Clondaw Secret benefited from a confident waiting ride from Shane Fitzgerald to win the first division of the Hickey Bros Precast & Ryall O’Mahoney Ltd four-year-old geldings’ maiden.
 
Clondaw Secret, an own-brother to Willie Mullins’ former 142-rated hurdler Clondaw Court, mastered Champagne Gold from the last to score by two lengths.

“He was one of our nicer four-year-olds’ from last season, but he didn’t get to run. He’s still a big raw horse and he has been working well at home,” said Goff.

South Terrace impressed by springing a surprise in the second division of the Hickey Bros Precast & Ryall O’Mahoney Ltd four-year-old geldings’ to provide rider Darragh Allen with the opening leg of a double.

South Terrace, having pulled up on his debut at Boulta two weeks earlier, made progress from off the pace to assume command after three-out, and the son of Fame And Glory strode clear from the last to contain Champagne Wilde.

Dungarvan handler Ray Beresford said: “I bought him at the August sale last year and he has always been doing everything easily at home. The plan is that he will now be sold.”

Darragh Allen brought up the closing leg of his initial career double aboard John Neilan’s recent Boulta runner-up Brandy Harbour in the Powers Gold Label five-year-old geldings’ maiden. Brandy Harbour, owned and bred by London-based Galwegian Michael Ward, led from three-out and he then held on grimly to fend off runner-up Mahler Allstar by a neck.

Neilan said: “Michael Ward is a good friend of ours and Brandy Harbour is a lovely fun horse for him that will now go to the track. “

The Johnny Hurley-trained Morningside, a Boulta runner-up in December 2018, made a stylish winning return in the B & J Consultants & Clifford’s Bar, Butchers & Supermarket five-year-old and upwards adjacent maiden. Morningside led from the sixth fence to beat Dower Caves by five lengths under Chris O’Donovan.

“He will stay pointing and maybe, he could go hunter chasing later on,” said Midleton-based Hurley.

Previous Boulta form once again came to the fore in the Leahys Open Farm & Hennessy Family Plant Hire Ballinascartha winner-of-two as Aloneamongmillions repeated his facile success at this same venue two weeks earlier.

The Sam Curling-trained gelding made virtually all and the sweet-jumping six-year-old wasn’t tested to account for Colonel Sam by six lengths under Derek O’Connor.

“It’s great to get experience into him. He is one to look forward to and the plan is that he will go to Kilfeacle for a winner-of-three next month,” said Curling.

With Paul Townend winning the Grade 1 John Durkan Memorial Chase at Punchestown on Min, it was fitting that his father Tim Townend sent out Wouldubewell to take the East Cork Oil five-year-old and upwards mares’ maiden.

Wouldubewell, a Dromahane runner-up last term, hit the front at the last to see off Sovereign Gold by three lengths in the silks of the elder Townend’s daughter Caroline.

Townend’s youngest daughter Jodie said: “She was a bit unlucky at Dromahane last season. She will improve from today and hopefully she might be there for me to ride in a mares’ bumper now.”