Report | Dungarvan 26th January 2020

On an afternoon of firsts at Sunday’s Dungarvan Farmers meeting, Kilmore-based owner/trainer John Byrne celebrated his initial success following the victory of Starvoski in The Country Store (Conor Lannen) & GAIN Equine Nutrition five-year-old mares’ maiden.

The daughter of Aizavoski was clearly possessing all the aces on the run to the final fence, and she forged clear to dismiss Lady Kk by 10 lengths in the hands of Tiernan Power Roche.

"She's a mare that has always worked well and my son James does a lot of the work with her. She will probably now go to the sales,” said Byrne.

It was a red-letter afternoon for 19-year-old Dylan Phelan from Dungarvan as he partnered a first winner aboard recent Ballindenisk runner-up Comeragh Lad in the Al Eile Stud five-year-old and upwards confined maiden for novice riders.

The Pat Crowley-trained Comeragh Lad always travelled well, and he was upsides with Outisaid when the long-time leader cruelly fell at the last, Comeragh Lad then went on to duly beat Champions Hill by two and a half lengths.

Former professional jockey Crowley, representing his near-neighbour Paula Cotter from Bearys Cross said: "He improved from his Ballindenisk run and it's great to win. He will now run in a winners’ race to get more experience.”

Colin Bowe and Barry O’Neill combined to collect the Tom Curran – Topline five-year-old geldings’ maiden with Erne River, who had placed on his two autumn forays at Tinahely and Mainstown.

Minella Drama challenged Erne River in the closing stages but couldn’t quite get past him, as the winning son of Califet dug deep to beat John Nallen’s charge by one and a half lengths.

“He’s a nice solid type of horse and he will now go to the sales,” said Bowe.

Chapter Two has been a remarkable servant for Co Kildare-based owner/trainer Tom Shaw over the years and the former three-mile Cork handicap hurdle winner recorded her fifth points success in the Tom Fleming, Equine Dentist mares’ open under Johnny King.

Chapter Two, whilst having to be rousted along after three out, readily assumed command for Johnny King approaching the last to beat long-time leader Rosfoyle by a widening eight lengths.

"She's still not fully wound up, but Johnny [King] knows her inside out and the plan is that she will continue in points," said Shaw.

Ivan Walker’s Drumderry Ask proved to be the third Co Wexford-trained winner of the afternoon following her success under Johnny Hurley in the Bridgie Terrie Pub & Restaurant six-year-old and upwards mares’ maiden. 

Drumderry Ask, who finished fourth on two previous occasions, was rallying in second when leader Peggy Gordon made a race-ending mistake at the final fence.

The winning six-year-old then drew clear to see off Peggy Gordon by 20 lengths in the colours of the seven-member Drumderry Racing Syndicate.

The biggest cheer of the day was reserved for 19-year-old Jerome Power from nearby Ballinamuck, who was credited with an initial career success aboard his father Edmund Power’s newcomer Bushypark in the Murrays Family Pharmacy six-year-old and upwards geldings’ maiden.

Bushypark, also a first winner for three-horse handler Shane O’Brien from Kereen, led from the fourth fence and although erring at the last, he still came home by two and a half lengths ahead of One More Life.

Bought by rider Power as a three-year-old, O’Brien said: "He's a horse that handles deep ground and, if not sold, he will go for a winners’ race. "