Irish Pointing Weekly
Review
by Declan Phelan
Week One - Dromahane
Dromahane(1/1/2001)
15 fences, 3 miles, going heavy, very strong sidewinds not helping
in homestraight. Homestraight consists of 3 quick fences in final 3
furlongs, so a good test of jumping at speed.
Race 1 --- Confined Maiden
Manfred Mann (7yo g Mandalus) attempted to make all, jumped very
well in the hands of Pat O Keeffe (ex Josh Gifford), but tired in
last in 2 furlongs and a slow jump at the last allowed the
favourite Lucky Leader (6yo g Supreme Leader) to pip him in the
dying strides. The winner had been well beaten in 2 previous bumper
runs, so this was a modest event.
Race 2---5 yr Maiden Powers
Qualifier
The first Powers qualifier of the year and a field containing some
horses with definite park potential.
This race was run in a hailstorm with the wind also blowing a gale
so it was a slowly run affair. It got interesting on the final
circuit.
A group of 7 were well bunched arriving at the third last, but we
lost the Enda Bolger newcomer Druids Glen here. At the second last,
the leader Michael Hourigan's Moss Bawn fell, leaving
Ballyhampshire Boy in front from Noble Justice and Keen Leader. 3
in line over the last and Noble Justice just quickened too well for
Keen Leader and Bh Boy.
Noble Justice (Jurado) ran two good races as a 4 yr old and looks a
decent prospect as his turn of foot will be more effective on
better ground. This Liam Cashman trained winner will probably win
an English bumper before the end of this UK NH season.
Druids Glen (Un Desperado) looked well in the paddock but the
trainer felt beforehand that the ground was against him. Jockey JT
McNamara reported that the horse gave him a good feel.
I think that Michael Hourigan's Moss Bawn (Jurado) could be very
good. Experienced amateur Gordon Elliott said he would have won but
for his fall and will be Cheltenham class in time. Could be the
best pointer that Hourigan has produced from the pointing field
since Dorans Pride. He looked a real chasing type in the
paddock.
Keen Leader trained by Tom Busteed delighted his handler. This son
of Supreme Leader according to Tom will easily win a bumper, and
was unsuited by the pace of the race, a stronger pace may have
allowed him to outstay the opposition. This horse is well regarded
and if he returns for another point, he will win blindfolded.
Tom Costello ran 2 here that were not fancied, but should improve
for the run. Beechgrove Gale (Toulon) who had 3 runs last year ran
well until the second last, and debutante Over Anxious (Over The
River) lived up to his name in the paddock, and toured around out
the back for 2 circuits. But this 3/4 brother to both Into The Red
and Over The Road, wouldn't always be as green, and could make
headlines before the end of the year.
Race 3---6 yr Gelding Maiden
On paper there were 4 with chances but the original favourite
Kilcrea Shyan (Husyan) was said to be in need of the outing and he
faded a mile out.
Jumping the 4th last Millstream Court led the field a merry dance
from a closing Aibitir (Alphabetim) with Charafad (Andretti) making
strong headway. The 3 began to group as they left the backstraight,
but Charafad slipped up before the home turn. Millstream Court and
Aibitir engaged in a great battle up the home straight, with Eoin
Gallagher just forcing Aibitir up close home.
Aibitir , Charafad and Millstream Court (2nd to Tik A Tai) all had
respectable form last year so this was a notable 6 yr maiden.
Millstream Court will have no problem collecting a maiden and might
do well as a 2 1/2 mile handicap chaser in England as he jumps well
and is a reliable front runner. Charafad was an unlucky loser and
can atone soon, and is another who will collect on the track
proper.
Race 4---Open Lightweight no
pens
Its unlikely that a stronger open will be run in Ireland in 2001.
This race featured 4 hunter chase winners and 4 racecourse winners
since 1998. It was a cracking race, run at a strong pace.
That pace was set by Ballydonnelly (9yo Be My Native), an ex E O
Grady bumper winner, who lead until tiring approaching 3 out.
Michael Hourigans Father Andy (2nd at Aintree in 2000) took over
and fended off Theretisforya, Rockholm Boy, Gunther McBride,
Glacial Waters, Ballyvalogue and Nellie Gale, but had to give best
on the run in to Strontium, which Davy Russell delivered late and
to telling effect to score by little over a length. This race will
no doubt provide the form basis for most Munster Opens during the
next 2 months.
Strontium (9yo Strong Gale) was a very decent novice hurdler 2
years ago and finished second in a grade 1 novice hurdle at the
Punchestown festival. He is not allowed hunter chase in Ireland but
can in England, whether he can reproduce performances like this is
open to question.
Father Andy looks good for further hunter chase success, but is a
no go for the 4 mile at Cheltenham as he will not get the trip. He
needs better ground and a return to Aintree is his seasonal
target.
Decent mare Nellie Gale (9yo Strong Gale) owned by Brian Harding's
parents usually needs her first race every year and on this form
will collect more opens and hunter chases. She finished 5th.
Enda Bolger's promising 6 yr old Gunther McBride (Glacial Storm)
was 4th which was pleasing as he was badly in need of the outing.
He can make into one of Ireland's top hunter chasers, and a
possible for the 4miler at the festival
Enda's other runner here, dual track winner Glacial Waters (8yo
Glacial Storm) ran OK for 2 1/2 miles but cut little ice at the
finish.
Former decent track performer Sam Vaughan hails from a yard out of
form and showed little, the same remark applies to Tom Costello's
You Know Best who looks a shadow of his former best, at 10, age is
catching up with him.
Ballydonnelly showed enough to hint at open success in lesser
company, if he remains sound.
Michael Hourigan's second runner Rockholm Boy was in the van
throughout and just held third place. He looked well exposed on the
track, but won 2 points last year, and should collect more this
year. However on the evidence of this run it is a surprise that he
has not been returned to the track to take advantage of his good
handicap mark.
Ballyvalogue (6yo Air Display) looked progressive winning 2 late
season good ground points last year. This individual trained by Ron
Flavin's father was taking on more experienced rivals for his first
open outing, and ran a cracker to finish 6th. Looks an improving
sort who may be good enough to collect at least a hunter chase this
campaign.
Race 5---Winners of One no
maidens.
A 13 runner event won easily by the repatriated Minino (a winner at
Cottenham in 2000). Back with Gerry Cully this 8 yr old son of
Glacial Storm made all and suggest that he is up to winning in open
company. Nothing else appeals from this race.
Ex English Le Cabro D'Or was up to his UK antics before falling at
the second. He has joined the Costello team.
Race 6-- 6 yr old Mares Maiden
9 ran but 3 were out after the second, the two joint favourites
Marys Fun and The Ould Boreen had a great tussle with the former
coming out on top to give Eoin Gallagher a start of season
double.
Marys Fun (Glacial Storm) can be temperamental but on a going day
has talent. The Ould Boreen(Good Thyne) wouldn't be a maiden for
long and finished 2nd on her final outing last year deserves a
visit to the winners enclosure.
Results
Confined
1-Lucky Leader (J O Brien)
2-Manfred Mann
5 yr geldings maiden
1-Noble Justice (P Cashman)
2-Keen Leader ( J Sheehan)
3-Ballyhampshire Boy
6 yr geldings maiden
1-Aibitir ( E Gallagher)
2-Millstream Court ( J O Brien)
3-Rendari (P Cashman)
Open
1-Strontium (D Russell)
2-Father Andy (G Elliott)
3-Rockholm Boy (B Moran)
Winners Of One
1-Minino (D Murphy)
2-Jot 'Em Down ( JT McNamara)
6 Mares Maiden
1-Marys Fun ( E Gallagher)
2-The Ould Boreen ( J A Collins)
3- Aghawadda Queen ( D Russell)
Irish pointing is at Lisgoold next Sunday 7/1/2001, 12.30 start.