Report | Stowlin 5th May 2019

Having recorded Grade 1 success earlier in the week at Punchestown, Jamie Codd enjoyed a brace on the afternoon with Alpha Carinae getting the Wexford native off the mark in the opening Tattersalls Ireland & The Bleahen Family four-year-old mares’ maiden.

Making her debut here, the daughter of Robin Des Champs raced in mid-division for much of the contest, before quickening away smartly to see off Gin On The Rocks by five lengths.

The €28,000 Land Rover Sale graduate is owned and trained in Wexford by Denis Murphy who said: “This is a lovely mare. Jamie (Codd) was delighted with the way she did it, he said she got there really easy. If she’s not sold at home first, she’ll go to one of the upcoming sales now.”

Eurowork brought up the double for Codd, while also providing Denis Murphy with his second winner of the afternoon.

The French-bred was getting off the mark at the fourth time of asking, when taking the Goffs Property five-year-old geldings’ maiden in the colours of Alan Harte.

A fine second on his last start at Castletown-Geogheghan in early April, the son of Network was certainly not winning out of turn here and posted a fine front-running performance under the former champion rider.
The €70,000 Derby Sale graduate justified favouritism and found plenty for pressure to account for Mercury Lane by three quarters of a length at the line.

“In hindsight, we probably shouldn’t have ran him in the autumn, as he’s only starting to develop now.
“He has bundles of ability and will be a smashing horse for the track,” said the successful handler who was enjoying his 18th winner of the campaign.

Susie Doyle consolidated her advantage at the head of the leading lady riders table, when steering home her fifth winner of the season aboard Sammantom in the Connollys RedMills & Garbally Oil ladies open.
Having now ridden four consecutive winners, the Tipperary-native moved 2 winners clear of her closest title pursuer Liz Lalor.

Sporting the colours of the rider’s mother Mary, the successful 11-year-old picked up the running at the penultimate obstacle, before staying on dourly to win by nine lengths, with Sound Money filling the runner-up berth.

“He’s a wonderful horse. He loves that nice ground and jumped from fence to fence.
Susie knows him well and is having a great run. Once the ground holds we’ll run him away,” said handler Pat Doyle.

Ellmarie Holden and Derek O’Connor have been enjoying a good association this season and the duo combined to take the opening division of the Goffs UK Spring Sale & The Bleahen Family four-year-old geldings’ maiden with Geraldo.

Owned by the handler’s father Paul Holden, the successful son of Jeremy was given a typical waiting ride, before coming home well in the closing stages to collar Don Diablo on the run to the line, with just a neck separating the pair as they passed the judge. 

The Co. Kilkenny handler said: “Derek (O’Connor) had done some work with him at home and really liked him so we were fairly confident coming here today. He will probably be sold now.”

James Kenny continued his fine run of form this term when teaming up with his father Liam to take the second division of the Goffs UK Spring Sale & The Bleahen Family four-year-old geldings’ maiden. This was a true family success, as not only is the successful Premium Package a homebred, the son of Presenting is also owned by the riders mother Noeleen.

Having been left clear by the departure of French Paradoxe at the penultimate obstacle, this debutant stuck resolutely to his task in the home straight, coming home ten lengths clear of Summer Tide.
“We’re delighted with that. He is a horse with a lovely pedigree and will probably go the next Cheltenham Sale now,” said Liam Kenny.

Breandan Long and Shane Fitzgerald teamed up for their second success of the season when taking the ITBA & East Galway Stone Supplies five-year-old and upwards mares’ maiden with Twilight Girl. Having fallen on her debut at Inch, the daughter of Craigsteel was getting off the mark at the second time of asking here in the colours of her owner/breeder William Costelloe.

Always up with the pace, a good jump at the last sealed victory for the six-year-old who recorded a two-length success over Esthers Marvel.

Connections were quick to praise winning rider Shane Fitzgerald who does a lot of work with the winner, who will now likely be sold.

The concluding Al Hayes Motors Ltd older maiden saw Simon Cavanagh steer home his eighth winner of the season, his best tally to date, aboard Another Tuco.

Having fallen when looking booked for second on his last start at Quakerstown, the son of Westerner made relentless progress inside the final mile, before going on to record a two-length success over Mustmeetforapint.

“He’s probably come on a bit from that last run as he might have needed it. I’m delighted for the owners as they’ve been patient, it’s great they are being rewarded.

"Simon gave him a peach of a ride and is a top-class rider that deserves more opportunities,” said handler Cormac Farrell of the Edel Patterson-owned gelding.