Report | Bellurgan Park 14th April 2019

It was a weekend to remember for Barry O’Neill as he rode a treble at Bellurgan Park having earlier become a father for the first time, when his wife Brigid gave birth to their son Billy.

The Wexford native once again teamed up with his chief ally, Colin Bowe, to open the day’s proceedings with the success of Domitian in the Darver Castle four-year-old mares maiden.

Owned by Gigginstown House Stud, the daughter of Getaway got off the mark at the second time of asking having previously fallen at Durrow on debut.

The winner, who was prominent throughout the race, found plenty when fending off the challenge from the runner up Doin'whatshelikes for Denis Murphy and Jamie Codd.

Winning handler Colin Bowe said: “Barry (O'Neill) said she loved the ground and jumped well today. We haven’t run too many for Gigginstown, I think we have run four and two of them have won. She goes well at home and she will head back to Gigginstown now.”

O'Neill's second victory came aboard Oscar Academy in the Sean Gallagher, Lougher Stables winner-of-one race for John Paul Brennan.

The son of Oscar was following up his recent success at Monksgrange and made much of the running throughout, before going on to defeat Paddy Turley's Little Battler by three lengths despite making a mistake at the second-last.

Winning handler John Paul Brennan said: “Barry (O'Neill) said he felt even better today, he missed the second-last but when he gave him a squeeze he quickened up well and won handily.

“I really rate this lad, we might go for another point-to-point or a bumper if he isn’t sold. It just took me two years to realise that less is more with him at home!”

O'Neill's tally was brought up to three in the Killcard Developments six-year-old and upwards geldings' maiden which turned out to be a walkover in favour of Briar Lane for Benny Walsh, who was the only horse from the 13 original entries to be declared on the day.

“We said we would collect our prize money and we will head for a winner-of-one now or maybe the Ladies Cup.
“He was out in a field with a friend over the road for a couple of years but I got him for banks races. We will take our win today!” said winning handler Benny Walsh.

The Tattersalls Cheltenham five-year-old geldings’ maiden went to Brief Ambition for Peter Flood. The son of Yeats was getting off the mark at the third time of asking having finished third on his debut at Punchestown before stepping up to finish second at Portrush late last month.

The €36,000 store purchase justified his price at the head of the market in the hands of Anthony Fox when defeating the Liam Kenny-trained On Term's by four lengths.

Winning handler Peter Flood said: “He deserved that as he was unlucky in Punchestown and made a mistake the last day in Portrush.

“We thought he wouldn’t be beaten today and he did it well. Fair play to Anthony (Fox) as he knows him well and gave him a good ride. He is a nice horse and will head to the sales now.”

Some Are Lucky quickly followed up his ten-length success in the 2019 renewal of the Barbour Cup at Castletown-Geoghegan seven days earlier when bringing his tally for the season to six in the Total Produce open novice riders race for Sam Curling and Gerry Spain.

The son of Gold Well found plenty for pressure to see off the strong challenge of the Thomas Coyle-trained Rolling Revenge.

Winning rider Gerry Spain said: “That’s six now for the season, he is unreal. He did it easy again today, but the ground was plenty quick for him. He is a marvel really, I am lucky to have him!

“We said we would bounce him out quick again this week and it was worth the chance. We will keep point-to-pointing now for the season.”

Cheeky Rafeeky came out on top in the College Proteins five-year-old and upwards mares' maiden for Eddie Power.

Owned by Orla Barrett, the daughter of Mahler provided Ben Harvey with his first winner when defeating John Berry's Carpool and Jamie Codd by two-and-a-half lengths.

The mare, who was having her first start for Power, will most likely be aimed at a winners’ contest if not sold beforehand.

Winning handler Eddie Power said: “I have her six weeks.  It took her a bit of time to adjust to the new routine but she has just kept improving.  She did a good piece of work the other day with an open horse so I fancied her today. James Barrett sent her to me because he is very busy with breeze up horses at the minute."