Report | Kirkistown 08th February 2020

Warren Ewing enjoyed a successful day at Kirkistown on Saturday when recording a double on the card.

The Northern handler’s first success came courtesy of Tango Theatre, who was getting off the mark at the fifth time off asking and the daughter of Shirocco made all under Stephen O’Connor to take the A Cairnduff & Sons Ltd five-and-six-year-old mares’ maiden.

Ewing said: “My horses just weren’t right last season. They have just come right now and are running well. This is a good mare, so it’s onwards and upwards for her. We will sell her now I would imagine.”

Ewing completed a quick double when Will Carver landed the Albert Bartlett five-year-old geldings’ maiden in the hands of Jordan Gainford.

The Son of Califet, who finished fourth at Dromahane in December, showed a nice turn of foot in the closing stages when coming home six lengths clear of runner-up God Knows Why.

“He enjoyed it out in front and jumped well there. He is an honest type; he was just a bit unlucky the last day. He will head on to one of the sales now,” said Ewing

The combination of Barry O’Neill and David Christie returned to the winner’s enclosure once again when Limerick hunter chase runner-up Winged Leader fended off the challenge of Chosen Dream, to score by seven and a half lengths in the CAB Group open race.

Sporting the colours of owner S.J. Hegarty, the son of Winged Love gained a deserved success, having finished second on six of his previous seven starts, and the six-year-old will now likely continue to contest opens and maiden hunter chases for the remainder of the season.

O’Neill was credited with his second success of the afternoon when the Anthony Kearns-owned Mt Leinster Gold found plenty for pressure in the Old Manor Mill mares’ winner-of-two contest denying long-time leader Double Smart in the process, making it three wins from four runs.

Winning owner Kearns said: “We are delighted to get the hat trick, she has been well minded and we gave her all the time she needed. She isn’t for sale; we are just enjoying her for the moment.”

Holymacapony, who was carrying the colours of owner and breeder George Williams, provided Libertarian with his first four-year-old winner in points when guided to victory by Simon Cavanagh in the Dennison Commercials Ltd four-year-old maiden.

The four-year-old made all the running and overcame a couple of notable errors when getting the better of Grady Hollow by seven lengths and will now head to the sales.

“This is a lovely horse; he is a real athlete. He stays all day and I think he has a big future because he is still a big raw baby. I think he can go on to much better things for new connections and I am delighted for George Williams and the lads that own him, they have some lovely horses with me,” said winning handler Cormac Farrell.

The Colin McBratney-trained Dento Des Obeaux put in a good round of jumping when capturing the Greenville Electrical six-year-old and upwards maiden returning home a widening 20 lengths clear over Airdrigh.

Winning owner Liam Gibney said: “My son rides out for Colin McBratney and I bought this lad from him. We will enjoy today and maybe think about a winners’ race. I know this might only be an older maiden, but when you have been in this game as long as I have it means a lot.”