Report | Horse & Jockey 11th Mar 18

Premier (H) at Horse and Jockey on Sunday 11th March 2018

Roger Quinlan made a welcome return to action when recording a double at his local point-to-point track in Horse & Jockey.

Quinlan was first off the mark when scoring aboard the well supported Castletown Quary in the Athassel Stud five-year-old and upwards geldings’ maiden.  The pair were very fortunate at the first fence when almost coming to grief, however the son of Scorpion recovered well and responded well to Quinlan’s urgings in the closing stages to deny Monte Alban by three lengths.  Their victory was somewhat aided by the final fence departure of Chain Smoker and Quinlan’s younger brother Liam, who was holding a slight advantage at the time. A relieved Slattery said afterwards: “He is a fine big horse.  Roger said that he blew up at the third-last but that he got his second wind and was coming back at them and would have won anyway.  He was doing everything very easy at home and I would say that almost cost us the race as he was a bit undercooked.  He is for sale now.”

Cloudy Day completed a successful Day for Quinlan when running out an easy winner of the Knockinglass Stud and Hotel Minella, Clonmel mares’ winner of one contest.  The daughter of Dubai Destination, who was prominent for most of the race, kicked clear of her arrivals from before the second-last and kept on gamely for a 12-length victory.  The seven-year-old is owned by Sarah Hogan and was a late birthday present for her handler Norman Lee who celebrated his birthday on Saturday. “We were a little disappointed with her at Knockanard but she was coughing after it, so that proved to the reason behind it.  She is a very tough and genuine sort.  I just wish all of my horses were like her”, said Michael Hogan, father of the winning owner.

The formidable partnership of Colin Bowe and Barry O’Neill were once again seen to good effect after they landed the opening Horse and Jockey Hotel four-year-old mares’ maiden with newcomer The Glancing Queen. The daughter of Jeremy appeared to relish conditions and picked up well in the closing stages to deny the Sam Curling-trained Tippingiuptonancy by three parts of a length. Wexford handler Colin Bowe stated; “Barry said that she gave him a great spin and that she was just a bit green but that he never had to give her a smack after the last.  She is a lovely filly with a good attitude and she will now go to the sales.”

Wexford handler Donnchadh Doyle had a day to remember when saddling seven winners across the board on Sunday and The Big Getaway was his third winner of the afternoon when he returned a distant clear of his rivals in the Meadowview Stables four-year-old geldings’ maiden in the hands of Harley Dunne.  The big imposing son of Getaway put in a foot perfect performance and their victory was made all the easier after the favourite Diol Ker came down at the third last. The four-year-old, who carried the colours of the Monbeg Syndicate, is a well-bred sort and was purchased for €28,000 at the Tattersalls Ireland Derby Sale. Sean Doyle who was representing his brother said afterwards; “He is a fine big powerful horse.  Derek O’Connor rode him in a piece of work two weeks ago over two miles and what he did over the two miles was mind blowing and when you see him over three miles, it’s just onwards and upwards for this lad.”

Liz Lalor extended her lead in the ladies title to three when winning the Looby Tyre Centre five-year-old and upwards confined maiden aboard Ask Mary.  The daughter of Ask carried the colours of James Killeen and is trained by the riders father Dick Lalor.  The five-year-old, who made all, had two solid runs her belt and kept on gamely to deny Cavalry Scout by half a length.  A delighted Lalor said afterwards; “She is a really tough mare.  I made plenty of use of her from the front, but she stuck at it well. This is the first horse that we have for the owners but we have a few for them now at home.  She will probably go for a mares’ winners’ race next.”

It was another local winner in the Coolmore Stud & Barne Accessories five-year-old and upwards mares’ maiden for novice riders when the Sam Curling handled Annie Bonny ran out a six-length winner in the hands of Mikey Tobin.  The first time out daughter of Black Sam Bellamy really caught the eye when showing a nice turn foot when quickening clear of her rivals approaching the final fence.  An elated Curling said afterwards; “She is a grand filly that has worked well at home.  I am delighted for Mikey, as he works for me at home and he gave her a lovely ride.  She will go for a winners’ race if she is not sold in the meantime.”