Report | Nenagh 16th February 2020

It was a red letter day for Killenaule native Eoin Shaw, who secured his first career winner aboard the Eoin McDonagh-owned and trained Makeshift to take the Millerect six-year-old and upwards geldings' maiden by four lengths over the Sam Curling-trained Reinvent.

"I wouldn't have too many for point-to-points, we have this lad and Master Appeal for opens. I’m delighted for Eoin as he comes into me every evening and is a hard-worker. We’ll go for a winners race with this horse now,” said McDonagh, who is better known as the proprietor of Shanaville Stables, who produce breezers and store horses.

Enda Bolger also had a notable afternoon, where he secured a double on the card. Saint Benedict finished second at Clonmel last month in a hunter chase, and he went one spot better on this occasion, taking the Carey Glass winner-of-one by five lengths over Half Shot.

The pair made amends on this occasion as they competed in the same contest last year when they came down on the final circuit.

Owned by Timmy Hyde Senior, and ridden by Timmy Hyde Junior, the Enda Bolger-trained son of Milan is now set to contest a hunter chase.

"That’s great for Tim. The horse had a lovely run at Clonmel recently so we thought he’d go well today. He'll probably go back for another maiden hunter chase now with a view to the bigger spring festivals like Fairyhouse and Punchestown," said Enda Bolger.

Staker Wallace finished second to Billaway recently at Naas, and also went one place better this time around.
Owned by JP McManus, the son of King's Theatre took the Connelly's Red Mills ITM Ladies Series ladies open under Liz Lalor by eight lengths over Lite Duties.

Lalor was deputising for the side-lined Áine O'Connor, who was in attendance at the fixture, and this win leaves Lalor two winners shy of matching Helen-Bryce-Smyth's record.

"It was nice to see him do that as Lite Duties is a fair horse. He’s not the easiest to keep right but the plan is still very much the Foxhunters next month. We’ll be keeping an eye on the ground as he likes a bit of give in it," said Bolger.

Nineteen-year-old Peter Kavanagh secured his second victory to date when he took the Tattersalls Ireland four-year-old auction maiden aboard the Colin Bowe-trained Velet Elvis.

In the colours of the Milestone Racing Partnership,  the son of Shirocco quickened clear to score by a very comfortable 20 lengths over Mahler Mission, and is now sales bound.

"Barry [O’Neill] is suspended, so it was a great opportunity for Peter who works hard in the yard and he did well there today. Peter felt the horse was green there but once he got the hang of things he stayed on well,” said Bowe.

The Noel Glynn-owned and trained The New McDonald took the Liam Buckley Car Sales five-year-old gelding's maiden.

Ridden Eoin Mahon, the Galway native partnered the son of Elusive Pimpernel to a length and a half victory over the Colin Bowe-trained Pay The Piper.Mahon dashed off to Navan following the success, where he went on to win aboard Se Mo Laoch.

"I'm thrilled with that. This is a horse we've always liked. He's a huge frame of a horse that still has strengthening up to do. Eoin rides him every day and knows him well," said Glynn.

Robert Tyner took the GAIN Equine Nutrition and Local Trainers-sponsored five-year-old and upwards mares' maiden with Exit To The West for owner Joe Fallon, with the colours of Inniscarra, Co. Cork native having previously been carried to success by a Robert Tyner-trained runner when Call Me Dara won the 2000 Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown.

Ridden by Pa King, the son of Westerner secured a 12-length victory over Lilly Mon May in second.

“This was nice and straightforward. We’ve a few options with her now including the GAIN Mares Final or returning to the track for a handicap hurdle," said Tyner.