Report | Lisronagh 31st March 2019

Lisronagh enjoyed a warm day and plenty of sunshine on Sunday which drew out a good crowd that included RTÉ Presenter Anne Cassin who shadowed Liz Lalor throughout the day for an upcoming episode of Nationwide.

Unfortunately, the day did not pan out as Lalor would have wanted when unseated at the last from Fenno's Storm after he made a bad mistake in the ITM, Kirbys Pharmacy & Pat Doyle Ladies open.

The race went to Gabrielleamee in the hands of Sheila Ahern for handler/owner Sean Aherne, with the daughter of Cloudings running out a 16-length winner over the Peter Nagle-trained Cassells Rock.

Winning rider Sheila Ahern said: “She was so quick over her fences today and that counted for a lot with so many to be jumped over four miles. She has been brilliant for everyone in the yard and deserved that. She’ll go to Mallow now over Easter probably."

Lisronagh proved to be a lucky track for Shane O'Rourke, as the Wexford rider recorded a quick double beginning with success in the Devenish Nutrition five-year-old geldings maiden aboard Ashfield Paddy for father and son duo James and Vincent Devereux.

The homebred son of Publisher found success on his second start after a fine debut run at Lingstown three weeks ago, returning half-a-length in advance of Donnchadh Doyle’s Up The Straight in the hands of Brian Lawless.

The winning trainer said: “We overlooked a more local fixture in Monksgrange for here and thankfully it’s paid off. It’s lucky for us down here! He’s a nice type that stuck to the job very well there at the end. He’ll either be sold or we’ll go for a winners race now.”

O'Rourke found his second success of the day in the Kenilworth House Stud five-and-six-year-old mares' maiden aboard Cathymeifyoucan.

Handled by Benny Walsh, the five-year-old was a comprehensive four-length winner over the Michael Butler-trained Bailehuiguincailin ridden by Cathal Healy.

Owned and bred by Wexford man Peter Aspel, the mare fell on her first two starts but ran well last time out at Lingstown to finish third in the race which also produced a winner at Monksgrange on the same afternoon.

The daughter of Touch Of Land may now go for the Goffs UK Spring Sale in May, as the winning handler’s wife Jenny said: “Things probably happened a bit too quick for her on her first two starts but she’s jumped like a buck on her last two starts. She did it well today and she’ll possibly go to the Goffs UK Sale in Doncaster now.”

Sam Curling continued his run of good form when claiming the Tattersalls Ireland four-year-old maiden with Pens Man.

In the hands of Pa King, the Sholokhov gelding showed a good turn of foot to deny Royal Crown and James Kenny.

The striking chestnut gelding with white socks and a white face was solid in the market and well touted beforehand, and Curling purchased the gelding at the Tattersalls May sale last year for €11,500.

The winner is the sixth foal out of Dudeen, a half-sister to three-time flat winner Miss Chryss and five-time flat winner Longquan.

Winning handler Curling said: “This is a lovely horse with plenty of boot. He’s one that will be well suited to the track.”

David O'Brien found success in the Hotel Minella & Skehanagh Stables six-year-old geldings' maiden with My Oakclahome.

Owned by Denis Tarrant, the son of Dansant battled gamely in the hands of Cathal Healy to deny the short-priced favourite Cotton Rock by a length.

The Roisin Hickey handled runner up was forced to settle for the second spot for his second consecutive start following his narrow defeat at Tallow.

The front two pulled clear of the rest of the field with the William Murphy-trained De Barley Basket finishing third, some 16 lengths behind Cotton Rock.

The winning gelding has had seven previous starts in Irish points, finishing fourth on his last outing at Borris House at the beginning of March.

The Norton Engineering and Plant Hire, Camas Park and Summerhill Stud seven-year-old and upwards maiden for novice riders went to Enbarr of Mannan. Handled by Alan Roche, the Beneficial gelding provided 18-year-old Dylan Whelan from Waterford with his first winner when defeating the Enda Bolger-trained Blue Templar.

Owned by Ann Roche, the 11year-old has had 15 point-to-point starts to date, finishing fifth on his last outing at Lingstown earlier in the same month.

The winning handler was represented by his father John Roche who said: “This horse really enjoyed the good ground today. He travelled well throughout today for Dylan and he’ll probably go for a winners race in Curraghmore now.”