Report | Belclare 10th March 2019

Wexford rider Jimmy O’Rourke rode the first leg of a double in the opening Jet Away - Arctic Tack Stud four-year-old maiden, which saw the Donnachadh Doyle-trained Farouk D’Alene record a very impressive success on what was his first start between the flags.

The French-bred simply destroyed his opposition here, quickening clear to win by an easy 18 lengths in the familiar Monbeg Syndicate Colours.

The Whistle Blower filled the runner-up spot, with the previously-placed Oneknightmoreihope filling the third spot once again.

As the Wexford handler was on duty at Turtulla, his representative Andy Pierce said: “This lad cost £34,000 at Doncaster last May. We thought an awful lot of him coming here today and thankfully he did the job. The plan is to go to the Cheltenham Sales now, we will just have to see how he is in the morning.”

Jimmy O’Rourke brought up the double in the Westport Woods Hotel five and six-year-old geldings’ maiden, aboard the Joe Ryan-trained Tuff Times.

The five-year-old was getting off the mark at the second time of asking, having shaped with plenty of promise when beaten by less than 20 lengths on his debut at Boulta.

Sporting the colours of the handler’s son Josh, the son of Cutain Time showed a likable attitude in the closings stage to get the better of the long-time leader Jimmil by two lengths, following a protracted battle from the third-last.

“He just blew up the first day, but I thought we had him right today. He is well bred and we were very happy with him at home. Jimmy (O’Rourke) has ridden two winners from two rides for us and we will head to the sales now,” said the Clare handler who was saddling first success of the current campaign.

Fresh from his success aboard Fenno’s Storm in the Tetratema Cup on the previous afternoon, Richie Deegan combined with his principal supporter Aidan Fitzgerald to partner a double on the afternoon.

Bannixtown Glory got the Carlow based pair off the mark in the Gannons City Recovery & Recycling Services Ltd five and six-year-olds mares’ maiden, when running out a very comprehensive winner.

The daughter of Fame And Glory was certainly not winning out of turn here, having filled the runners-up berth on her two previous starts.

Given a positive ride by Deegan in the Kennedy family colours, the five-year-old eventually came home an easy 18-length winner, with My Newbrook Rose chasing her home in second.

“This is the first horse I have had for the lads. I am delighted the mare has won and if she isn’t sold now we will go for a winners’ race or a bumper. She went out and did what we thought she could do today,” said handler Fitzgerald.

Not only did Rosfoyle provide Aidan Fitzgerald and Richie Deegan with a double on the afternoon in the William Donnellan M.F.H. mares winner of two, but the seven-year-old also proved to be the first horse that the  handler has saddled to win two races due to the commercial nature of his business.

Having taken her maiden around Ballindenisk in the autumn, the daughter of Milan made her second start in winners company a successful one when coming home 15 length clear of Jasper Bear.

Owned by Declan O’Keeffe, the successful mare is likely to contest a similar race in the future and the Carlow handler said: “I am delighted for her owners Declan and Kate. They have a few horses with me. It’s great for Richie as well, he had a big winner yesterday and we all need winners!”

Rebel Leader provided handler Norman Lee with his third success of the season when taking the Flannerys Hotel, Galway five-year-old and upwards adjacent maiden.

Making his debut here, the son of Milan was given a positive ride by Chris O’Donovan who was riding his second winner in just seven days for the Lee stable.

Carrying the colours of Sarah Hogan, the gelding stuck to his task well, getting the better of the previously placed The Bonny Boy by three lengths.

“That’s brilliant. This is a grand bonny horse who jumps like a stag. We think a bit of him and we will head to the sales now. He will do a job for someone else,” said the local handler.

The husband and wife team of Willie Murphy and Moira McElligott combined to take the concluding Pat Whyte - N.G.H. Chairman seven-year-old and upwards maiden with Vinnies Nephue.

Second on his previous start at Kilfeacle following a long lay-off, the seven year was never too far away from the pace here under his lady rider.

With a host of challengers still in contention two-out, the Patrick Kennedy-owned son of Alkaadhem came home best of all to record a three-length success over northern-raider Hollybank King. 

“I think he is a decent horse, he had a few problem and was off for nearly two years. We knew he wanted softer ground and Moira gave him a great ride today. He will probably go for winners’ race on soft ground somewhere now,” said the Carlow handler.