Peter Flood has enjoyed a fantastic start to the season and Star Wizard brought his tally to six winners this term in the Cooney Furlong Grain Ltd & Kilmore Potatoes Ltd. winner of two.
The seven-year-old raced in mid division for much of the contest before throwing down a strong challenge at the penultimate fence in the hands of Rob James.
Running in the colours of Hugh Mulvihill, the Wizard King gelding picked up well, coming home over three lengths in front of the runner up, Blue Morpho.
“This is a right horse, it’s great for Hugh as he bred him and just loves the game, he might go for a winners’ of three or possibly an open now,” said the winning handler.
The opening division of the Tattersalls Ireland Cheltenham & Ascot Sales four-year-old maiden, saw the Luke Murphy-ridden Chazza, bouncing out to make all the running, coming home an impressive five lengths clear of the runner up Top Of The Fashion.
Trained by Colin Motherway, the son of Mahler was making just his third apperance, having finished a fine fourth at Dromahane two weeks previously.
The gelding is a half-brother to the smart Westland Row and is owned by the Sunny South Syndicate, who are neighbours of the winning handler who said: “He is a smashing horses and has loads of ability, he jumps for fun. He will head to the sales now.”
Virginia Considine looks to have a smart prospect on her hands in the form of Shishkin, who took the second divison of the Tattersalls Ireland Cheltenham & Ascot Sales four-year-old maiden.
As was the theme of the day, this son of Sholocov was always up with the pace, before readily quickening clear from three-out to come home an easy eight lengths in front of Apple Rock.
The bay gelding is out of a half-sister to Voler La Vedette and coast €40,000 as a foal.
“We were confident coming here today and I would imagine he will head to the sales now,” said the Meath based owner/handler.
It was a red letter day for 22-year-old Connor Moore who partnered his first career success in the Wright Insurance Brokers & Gain five-year-old mares’ maiden.
Win My Wings recorded a two-length success, following a tough battle with the runner up Go To Court in the home straight, with the duo having both raced prominently throughout.
The five-year-old is trained and owned by the riders’ father Denis, who was on hand to say: “She dug deep and we think she is a good mare. I think she will go to the sales now.”
Carrying Marie Brennan’s colours, No Hidden Charges recorded his second victory in just seven days when taking the Keating Horse Transport open over the banks course.
Having won a maiden at Tinahely the previous Sunday, this five-year-old could certainly have a future over banks as he was having first experience of this unique test.
Never too far away from the pace, the son of Scorpion jumped well throughout in the hands of Benny Walsh, before getting the better of Vital Island following a protected battle, winning by six-lengths. “He took to the banks well there. We could go for the likes of the Ladies Cup with him now if he isn’t sold,” said the Wexford handler.
The Tower Hotel, Waterford five-year-old geldings’ maiden saw Brian Lawless partner his first winner for the John Nallen yard aboard Minella Royale, who recorded a facile 15-length success.
Having picked up the running five-out, this son of Shirocco quickened up well in the closing stages to account for the runner-up Classical Daytime in good style.
This well-bred five-year-old was purchased for €42,000 as a foal by Nallen who said: “He is a tough staying horse and gallops away, he will head across the water to be sold now.”
The concluding Inish Pebble Company Ltd six-year-old and upwards’ maiden saw Kilbree Shadow record a wide margin success in the hands of Tom Feeney.
This experienced seven-year-old had been placed on four previous occasion so was not winning out of turn here.
Making her seasonal reappearance, the daughter of Witness Box took up the running five-out and picked up very smartly to come home ten lengths clear of Witches Glen.
The winner is owned and trained by Cappoquin based, James Collender, who was on hand to say: “This is a good honest mares, who gallops all day. This is long overdue, but today is a great day.”
