Image © Healy Racing
Six runners went to post for the INHSC Supporting Point-To-Points Hunters Steeplechase with the Sean Thomas Doyle trained recent Tinahely victor Er Dancer being sent off the 9/4 Favourite.
Darragh Hanlon made virtually all the running on the Patrick Turley trained grey Dento Des Obeaux with Noel McParlan second or disputing throughout on Caroline McCaldin’s six-year-old Ballyphillip who was making his seasonal debut after taking a similar contest at Down Royal back in May.
Lisleigh Lad travelled sweetly throughout in mid-division and the field began to bunch up before four out with Dento Des Obeaux and Ballyphillip still looking to have the race between them turning for home but Lisleigh Lad powered through approaching the second last and went away to score in emphatic fashion under Eoin O’Brien.
Er Dancer looked beaten in fourth when brought down by a weakening Ballyphillip at the final obstacle. Ask D’Man ran on to be second just ahead of Dento Des Obeaux with nine and a half lengths back to the final finisher Dromleigh.
Er Dancer looked beaten in fourth when brought down by a weakening Ballyphillip at the final obstacle. Ask D’Man ran on to be second just ahead of Dento Des Obeaux with nine and a half lengths back to the final finisher Dromleigh.
A delighted rider Eoin O’Brien said “I was happy enough turning in, I had a chance but Noel had been jumping left so I wanted to get to his right hand side. I asked for a really big one over the last two and he didn’t let me down”.
“It was great, fair play to Eleanor, it’s an unbelievable day for Eleanor and Matty. I have to mention also, that he’s Darragh Allen’s ride so hard luck for Darragh today but it was good for me”.
This is a first track winner for Eleanor Broderick who is based in Fermoy County Cork.
An elated Eleanor said “My first winner under rules and I’m turning 71 in two weeks time! I’ve always dreamt of it, I have always wanted to win a hunters chase”.
"I’ve won about 10 point-to-points in my career. This is a huge deal for me and everyone behind me. My partner Matt Slattery and the girl that rides out for me, Grace, and anyone in the yard that gives me a hand in the yard”.
The six-year-old son of Dansant Lisleigh Lad has ran 14 times between the flags and scored twice, most notably beating former Galway Plate winner Early Doors in a Kildorrey open lightweight contest last term.
“That was a big deal. We were joking that we would go for the Foxhunters, but I said let’s come here today then we can dream big afterwards. He was 4th in Curraghmore a fortnight ago so fitness was on his side.”
When asked about future plans, Broderick said “I don’t think I’ll go back point to pointing with him, I’ll have to stay within the rails now”.
