Report | Moira 14th Apr 18

Recording the fastest time on the day the Pat Doyle-trained Angels Breath dominated the Dennison Commercials Ltd four-year-old maiden, to continue his handler’s scintillating run of success in four-year-old maidens in recent weeks. The Johnny Barry-ridden son of Shantou showed an eye-catching turn off foot to assert approaching the final fence before extending that advantage to 12-lengths over runner-up Tanrudy by the line. 

“He is a lovely horse with a big engine. He was showing us plenty at home and we really fancied him coming here. He has a bright future ahead of him," divulged Doyle of his wife Mary’s Angels Breath, a €85,000 graduate of last year’s Goffs Land Rover sale and a half-brother to Harry Fry’s bumper winner Outofthisworld.

The Colin McBratney-trained Dessie Deschamps got off the mark at the third time of asking when landing the Albert Bartlett five-year-old geldings’ maiden for owner Stephanie Metcalfe. Always prominent under Noel McParlan, the imposing son of Robin Des Champs picked up going to the last, where he sealed his victory with a fine leap to get home four-lengths ahead of Far Destination.

"He is a decent horse but just took the first few runs for some education as he runs very freely. He’s a big baby really," reported McBratney of Dessie Deschamps, a €37,000 purchase as a foal at 2013 Tattersalls November NH Sale.

"We decided to let him make the pace today and he settled better and seemed to really enjoy it.  He jumped great too.  He is for sale now”.

The Conduit standing at Tullyraine House Stud & Tullyraine Equine Clinic five-year-old mares’ maiden went the way of the Thomas Coyle-trained Golden Chance in the colours of the Urban & Rural Boys Syndicate under Barry O'Neill. The daughter of Gold Well stepped up from a good third at Durrow last month to win somewhat snugly by eight-lengths over Presenting Rio.

“I always thought she was a good mare and I rushed her, but she had a great run the last day in Durrow.  She is a lovely mare and with a summer’s grass she will come back stronger and will improve again.  She could go for a mares’ winner of one or a mares’ maiden hurdle next," comment the nine-horse handler, who is based near Fairyhouse in Co. Meath.

Milan Flyer, a winner last time out at Loughanmore just a fortnight ago, supplemented that win with victory in the Northern Excavators Ltd open for Gary McGill in the hands of Paddy McGuigan. McGuigan made a decisive move entering the back straight for the final time to take up the lead with the 12-year-old, and his mount stayed-on gallantly to score by five-lengths over Yes Tom.

"The key to this horse is the soft ground.  I told Paddy to kick on up the hill and he gave the horse a great ride," disclosed McGill of Milan Flyer, who was previously a three times UK track winner when in the care of Noel Kelly. "We will keep him pointing as long as the ground stays like that."

The Lewis Tower Crane Services six-year-old-and-upwards geldings’ maiden went the way of the Simon Kenny-trained Pacte In The Park. The son of Walk In The Park  travelled stylishly throughout under Luke Murphy and won with a bit in hand over Captain Cook. This was Pacte In The Parks' first run in pointing company, having previously had seven track runs and seems to have relished the change.

“Unfortunately, James Walsh was due to ride him but broke his collarbone in the first race which knocked my confidence a bit but Luke gave him a great ride.  He’s a gorgeous horse and a beautiful jumper. He travelled up with a small pony to keep him company. He had lost his way a bit on the track and so we decided to come to the points.  We will see how he is after the race and then make a decision where to go next," divulged Kenny of his own Pacte In The Park.

Fresh from success in Thursdays Foxhunters at Aintree, Derek O'Connor steered the ultra-consistent Manetti to a facile victory in the winners of three race for local trainer Ian Ferguson.  The Ronnie Bartlett-owned six-year-old was left a distance clear when Celtic Thunder seemed to take a misstep on the bend and eject his jockey heading out for the last circuit, with Alice's Star completing some way back to claim the runner-up position.

“He showed his well-being there and is a good horse.  We will keep pointing him and maybe take in a maiden hunter chase towards the end of the season." reported the winning handler.