Irish Pointing Weekly Review
by Declan Phelan

Week Seven - Tyrella, Tallow & Ballybunion 10 & 11/2/2001

Sat 10th February   
Tyrella

Right handed coastside track with 14 fences. Downhill run to the last than can be very tricky. Viewing good.
It rained all day and the going was very heavy. 

There was 9 contests as 3 of the races divided.

The opening winners of 2 was divided, but trainer/jockey combination of George Stewart and Leo Gracey were not complaining as they took both divisions.

In Division 1 Lantaur Lad (7 Brush Aside) was very impressive accounting for a decent field. 2001 winners Merry Minstrel and Moscow Enterprise were left trailing in his wake.
The winner still a maiden at starting had finished second on his only previous career runs in 2000. In one of those he was a close second to Nigel Twiston Davies Newbury winner Wishbone . Lantaur Lad has definite track potential, but being a lightly raced 7 year old he clearly has had problems.

Division 2 was won by Bellaney Lady ( 6 m Un Desperado) who accounted for much weaker opposition.

The first division of the 5/6 maiden produced a classy winner in the shape of the Cathal McCarthy trained Isle Beeavenue (6 Erin's Isle). A faller 3 out when in contention in the race won by Merlo at Castletown Geoghegan, he won here as he liked, and could be one to note in a bumper.

The second division went to a grey son of Supreme Leader Gola Supreme (6) who has clearly improved as he has matured, he was pulled up on his three outings last term, and this performance marked a transformed character.

Our Boy (6 Convinced) won his maiden here last year and justified good support 3/1-6/4 by romping to an easy success in the Open. He had ran promisingly in the hunter chase won by Rockholm Boy at Down Royal and could return there for a maiden hunter chase.

The 5 year old geldings maiden produced a dramatic finish. MJ Henry had kicked From Little Acorns (Insan) into a clear lead from the start and the only horse to get within firing range was Putsomeby (Phardante) trained by Kevin O Brien.
On the downhill run to the last Putsomeby got on terms and after jumping the last was just in the lead when he jinked  and unshipped pilot Denis Cullen allowing From Little Acorns the victory. 
Putsomeby is well regarded by Kevin O Brien and will no doubt gain compensation, but the winner From Little Acorns put up a very good debut performance and could be the type to do well in the UK in novice hurdles.

Warren Ewing collected the 5/6 mares maiden on newcomer Over The March(6 Over The River) and the older horses maidens (divided) for novice riders was won by the exposed  Moniker(8 Montelimar) and World O Good.

Results
Race 1 Winners of Two Div 1
(1) Lantaur Lad (L Gracey)
(2) Balnagreine
(3) Moscow Enterprise

Race 1 Winners of Two Div 2
(1) Belaney Lady (L Gracey)
(2) Black Fountain
(3) Perked Up

Race 2-- Geldings Maiden 5 & 6 only Div 1
(1) Isle Beeavenue (B Hamilton)

Race 2-- Geldings Maiden 5 & 6 only Div 2
(1) Gola Supreme (S McHugh)
(2) Drumking
(3) Hill Top Lee

Race 3-- Open Lightweight
(1) Our Boy (B Hamilton)
(2) Legible
(3) Denfield

Race 4-- Geldings Maiden 5 yr only
(1) From Little Acorn ( MJ Henry)
(2) Killargue Star
(3) American Paddy

Race 5-- Mares Maiden 5 & 6 only
(1) Over The March ( W Ewing)
(2) Why Didn't You
(3) Saor Go Deo

Race 6-- Novice Riders Maiden 7yr+ Div 1
(1) Moniker (B Jones)
(2) Glastryturn
(3) Camballala 

Race 6-- Novice Riders Maiden 7yr+  Div2 
(1) World O Good (M O Hare)
(2) Vaquero
(3) Autoroute    

Sunday 11th February
Tallow
A sharp flat left handed circular track with moderate viewing.

A non stayers track as it has little in the way of climbs, suits frontrunners. With many turns does not suit long striding gallopers.

All races about 3 miles, with 15 fences and just a little over 3 circuits of the track per race.

Each race starts at the entrance of the homestraight, they bypass the fence on the homestraight and race past the winning post before turn 1 which takes them to fence 1, then turn 2 out into the backstraight and fences 2 and 3, then turn 3 to fence 4 and finally they travel back into the homestraight to fence 5.    

With speed tending to play its part in the final 1/2 mile this track tests horses ability to fence cleanly at pace, and tends to get very good finishes.

The going was soft and the meeting was run in a persistent downpour.

Racing takes place on trainer Jimmy Mangan's land and this years meeting was high on quality fare.

Race 1--Confined Hunt Maiden(5 years+)
11 ran. Another ordinary confined with only a few having some sort of chance. Ariann Sound (6 Montelimar) having his 4th outing of the season was out for compensation after filling the runner up berth at both Killeagh & Nenagh in recent weeks. He was supported from 5/4 to 8/11. Market opposition came from Mac Neill (7 Brush Aside, 1/2 brother to Wade Road) 4/1 to 7/2, and Jimmy's Pride 5/1.

Davy Russell on board Mac Neill led from the start at a steady pace with Ariann Sound tracking in third with Jimmy's Pride a normal front runner held up well off the pace. At the 3rd last Ariann Sound jumped past Mac Neill to take a 2 length advantage, with Jimmy's Pride having closed right up on the leading pair. However the latter's effort was short-lived as the other pair swept clear to jump 2 out. Turning for the final fence Davy Russell stole up on the inside to regain the lead on McNeill, and in a desperate driving finish Ariann Sound just got the verdict by a head from Mac Neill with a distance back to Jimmy's Pride in third.

The winner will need to show radical improvement to score again this year, but clearly handles his frequent racing well. The runner up has had training problems, and is now with his third different trainer (Mike Condon) in as many years. I think Mac Neill may struggle to win a race. The rest, the less said the better.

Race 2--5 year old Geldings Maiden---Division 1.
14 ran. A quality event. The unlucky Dungarvan loser Over Anxious headed the market at 5/4, but there was solid support behind the Pat Doyle trained newcomer Tuco (Scenic 1/2 brother to Kalinka) backed from 3/1 to 9/4. The David Wachman trained debutant Framika Prince (Jurado) also the subject of good vibes was easy in the ring 7/2 to 5/1. 8/1 bar 3.

Davy Russell on Tuco took the race by the scruff of the neck from the start, followed by Silver Strikes (Arzanni), The Wipper (Alphabetim) , Coursing Run (Glacial Storm) and Over Anxious. Despite the solid pace throughout they were well grouped with a circuit to race but Framica Prince who was never travelling was out of contention. Pat Cloke quickened to the front approaching 4 out on Silver Strikes but was stalked by the two market principals and Coursing Run. The latter lost his chance with a bad blunder at the 3rd last, and on the run to the second last Tuco and Over Anxious kicked clear. The pair jumped 2 out in unison but Davy Russell shook the reins on Tuco and in an instant he left Over Anxious for dead. When Tuco popped the last safely Dermot Costello eased up considerable on Over Anxious, with The Wipper pipping Silver Strikes for a remote third.

Tuco who was one of the horses withdrawn at Carrigtwohill last week looks as good a 5 year old as has been seen this campaign.  Pat Doyle told me that he bought him back at the Land Rover Sale and the Land Rover bumper at Fairyhouse in March will be his next target. On this performance he is a horse with a big future, certainly blessed with a high cruising speed.

The runner up Over Anxious was unlucky to meet such a decent opponent. This clean jumping full brother to Into The Red is progressing with every run, a maiden win is a formality. The Costello team said that this Michael Hickey (of Bob Treacly fame) owned 5 year old will campaign in points and hunter chases for the next few seasons and they are happy to see him showing improvement. He may be good enough to win a maiden hunter chase this campaign.

Plenty of the also rans here showed ability.

Padge Berry's Auburn Hall (Mandalus) pulled up on it's debut at Dungarvan was more competitive here, in touch until the last 1/2 mile, eventually pulled up before 2 out. He looks primed to win a maiden in the Wexford circuit sometime in the next 6 weeks.

Liam Cashman ran 2 newcomers. As mentioned Coursing Run a strapping son of Glacial Storm was bang in contention throughout although a couple of errors did not help his cause. Also this tight track did not help him, expect him to visit the winner's enclosure at a more galloping track like Dromahane.

The second of the Cashman runners was Silver Castle a steel grey son of Roscoe Blake. Eoin Gallagher gave this taking individual a nice quiet school around out the back and pulled him up before 3 out. On the bare form he achieved little, but I liked what I saw of him from the commentary position.

The Wipper and Silver Strikes probably need a more testing track but they both are sound jumpers without being sure-fire future maiden winners. Jimmy Mangan was out of luck here as his nice prospect Dantes Dozen made a terrible mistake which unfortunately resulted in a fatal injury.

Race 2--5 year old Geldings Maiden---Division 2 
14 ran. A more open event with a number with supporters. Killeagh third Nearly A Moose (Supreme Leader) the mount of Davy Russell was the solid 2/1 jolly. 7/2 joint second favs were  Kildare challenger The Husheen and Jordan's Lad who had run well at Dungarvan. The Cashman trained Dante's Promise an early faller at Dungarvan was a 5/1 shot.

This race was run at a slower pace than the previous division and heading for the second last there was 5 in line, namely, Jordan's Lad, Hitman Herons, Dantes Promise, Six Five Special and The Husheen with a closing Nearly A Moose a few lengths behind in 6th. Remarkably all 6 jumped the fence safely, but as they rounded the home bend Davy Russell swept round the outside to view the front on Nearly A Moose. Jumping the last he held a narrow advantage and with both Jordan's Lad and The Husheen pressing all the way to the line, the strength of  Russell was vital as he kept Nearly A Moose right up to his work for a length victory from Jordan's Lad with The Husheen in third.

The winner Nearly A Moose a cheap purchase at the Fairyhouse August sales was rumoured to have had wind problems, but this Denis Murphy trained charge night do well as an honest middle of the road 3 mile handicap chaser in the UK.

Jordan's Lad (Camden Town) should win a maiden and fills the same category of horse as Nearly A Moose but you might get more mileage out of this fellow.

The 3rd home The Husheen (Husyan) who finished 4th on its debut at Nenagh is trained by former jockey Mickey Flynn. He travelled in the fashion of a good horse for 2 and 1/2 miles but ran out of steam close home. I think he may have a touch of class and will be seen to better effect on a sounder surface.

Dantes Promise the 1/2 brother of Strong Promise ran well until outpaced on the run to the last. It is difficult to be definitive of his talent on this run, but like most Phardante's he will also require better ground.

Another horse to catch the eye was the Gerry Cully trained Hitman Herons (Glacial Storm) who hinted at better to come. Held up off the pace on this his debut, he was put into the race at the 5th last, and showed a competitive streak until the jockey decided against knocking him about on the home turn. Again he can be placed to win a maiden.

The only problem with this maiden is that the poor pace may have flattered some, time will tell.

Race 3--6 year old Geldings Maiden(Powers Qualifier).
16 ran. A race probably high in quantity low in quality. The punters latched onto Rud Cinnte (Duky) ridden by Davy Russell who was supported from 5/2 to 2/1. Ballybough Cracker (John French) 3rd at Kilfeacle to Druids Glen was a 4/1 shot, Also on that mark was the unlucky Dromahane loser Charafad (Andretti)  and the gamble of the race Mickevan (Phardante) 8/1-4/1 a one time promising 4 year old who looked on the decline. Marino West (Phardante) 3rd at Carrigtwohill was surprisingly weak in the ring 2/1 to 6/1.

Mickevan got early reminders and his supporters soon knew their fate. Entering the latter stages of the race Rud Cinnte and Charafad went clear. They had a titanic battle and once again it was the strength of Davy Russell in the saddle that proved decisive as he forced Rud Cinnte up close home. Charafad lost nothing in defeat. 

Rud Cinnte had fallen on his seasonal reappearance at Lisgoold but his overall form is nothing to write home about.

Charafad should collect a maiden shortly. The third here was Ballybough Cracker who was always close up but could only plod on one paced behind as the main players quickened away

Marino West caught the eye in 4th, never really competitive, this run was coming too soon for him after his fine effort last week, he will win a maiden possibly on better ground.

Race 4--Open Lightweight (No Penalties)
6 ran. One of the races of the season. False Tail running in new ownership was out to solidify his Foxhunters creditentials and was the solid 10/11 fav. Strontium winner of the seasons best point at Dromahane (1/1/2001) was a generous 2/1 shot with Davy Russell up. Consistent hunter chase mare Nellie Gale was next in at 4/1, with Private Peace returning to the pointing game a live outsider at 8/1.

From the start Nellie Gale and False Tail set a strong pace, Private Peace was settled  10 lengths adrift in 4th with Strontium  a 25 lengths last of 6. With a circuit remaining the two no hopers had dropped out, and the 4 main protagonists were covered by 15 lengths. False Tail was the first to crack with mistakes at the 5th and 3rd last. Leaving the 3rd last Private Peace joined Nellie Gale for the lead as False Tail dropped away and Strontium still 12 lengths away was asked to close. The latter made up the ground very quickly and was on the tails of Private Peace and Nellie Gale 2 out. On the turn for home Strontium joined Private Peace, and he had a small lead after jumping the last which he just held onto from the gallant Private Peace with Nellie Gale not beaten that far in 3rd. False Tail was a remote 4th.

Davy Russell gave Strontium a brilliant ride here judging the pace to perfection. This completed a 4 timer for the jockey who has a decent lead in the championship. He is riding with supreme confidence and worth a stone to most horses. Without doubt he is the best amateur currently riding over jumps in Ireland or the UK. And there is also no doubt that he is a likely future Uk champion jockey, definitely the best Irish pointing rider to emerge since Adrian Maguire.

Strontium is unusual as being a son of Strong Gale he needs soft ground. He now heads for a hunter chase on Sunday week at Fairyhouse and trainer John Gleeson is not keen on the idea of Cheltenham although his jockey is. John would prefer to wait for the Punchestown festival because the horse loves the course. On this performance the horse would have a small each way chance, his pilot would be a strong asset around Cheltenham.

Private Peace ran a cracker but now returns to the track to take on Nick Dundee at Gowran on Saturday. Nellie Gale is better in blinkers which she cannot wear in points, Kildorrery in 2 weeks is her next port of call for a likely success.

False Tail's bubble burst here, his jumping is suspect and against strong opposition it will always be found out, running in the Foxhunters would not be a good idea.

Race 5--Winner of One.
8 ran. A very modest winners race. Aghabullogue maiden winners Dinsey Finnegan (5/2) and Fightallthewayhome (7/2) headed the market, with ex English pointer Le Cabro D'or and the grey Travelling Well (D Russell) on the boards at 5/1.

In a nutshell Mark Grant sent the Costello trained Le Cabro D'or straight to the front and this 7 year old son of Gildoran enjoyed an uncontested lead throughout to eventually run out a 30 length winner from Travelling Well with Fightallthewayhome  a length behind that one in third. Dinsey Finnegan was never travelling and eventually pulled up before the last.

The winner may be good enough for open events but is unlikely to be allowed dominate as freely in future. Travelling Well may nick a similar event on a weaker circuit and the mare Fightallthewayhome could do likewise.

Race 6--5 & 6 year old Mares Maiden.
17 ran. Davy Russell partnered the jolly here Talk To The Missus (5 Executive Perk)  who had fallen on its debut at Killeagh. She was a 7/4 shot and it was 6/1 bar one.

The favourite was never better than mid division, but 7 mares were in contention heading to the second last. 

Wexford challengers Lauralivia (6 Rashar) and Closing Hours (6 Insan) just headed the Costello mare Legal Lady (6 Over The River), Nenagh runner up Carnmore Cross (6 Camden Town), Sarah Lou (5 Phardante) , Southotel and Countmeinpat.

Closing Hours quickened away approaching the last with Sarah Lou pursuit. The both jumped the last fence safely and Closing Hours recorded a comfortable 5 length win. In behind 3 fell at the last--Legal Lady, Lauralivia and Southotel and this left Countmeinpat to take the third position.

Closing Hours is a well bred mare and this was a good contest, connections can look forward to track success with some justification. Sarah Lou will certainly gain compensation  and this mare from the family of Another Coral may also be up to track standard.

Legal Lady and Talktothemissus are others up to collecting a mares maiden.

Results
Race 1 Confined Maiden 5yr+
(1) Ariann Sound (P Tobin)
(2) Mac Neill
(3) Jimmy's Pride
11 ran.

Race 2 Geldings Maiden 5yr only Div 1.
(1) Tuco (D Russell)
(2) Over Anxious
(3) The Wipper
14 ran.

Race 2 Geldings Maiden 5 yr only Div 2
(1) Nearly A Moose (D Russell)
(2) Jordan's Lad
(3) The Husheen
14 ran.

Race 3 Geldings Maiden 6 yr only ( Powers Qualifier)
(1) Rud Cinnte (D Russell)
(2) Charafad
(3) Ballybough Cracker 
16 ran.

Race 4 Open Lightweight
(1) Strontium (D Russell)
(2) Private Peace
(3) Nellie Gale
6 ran.

Race 5 Winner of One
(1) Le Cabro D'or (M Grant)
(2) Travelling Well
(3) Fightallthewathome
8 ran.

Race 6 Mares Maiden  5 & 6yr only
(1) Closing Hours (T Furlong)
(2) Sarah Lou
(3) Countmeinpat
17 ran.

Ballybunion
This was a new venue and the second coastside setting of the weekend, this time on the Atlantic  seaboard.

Conditions were abysmal and the original complement of 5 fences per circuit (3 circuits) was reduced to 4 when the 5th of the fences was omitted after an extraordinary first race.

In that first race both Shuil Americo (8 Lord Americo) and A Rare One in that order fell at the last when clear. the only horse left going was Readers Choice (9 m Lapierre) who scrambled across the line. The winner will need another miracle to add to this success.

Camas North (6 Muharib) collected the younger mares maiden.

The open produced an exciting finish with the consistent Legal Storm getting an overdue win  at the expense of the duel 2001 winning mare On The Mobile.

The winners of one was a dreadful affair won by the recent Nenagh winner the 11 year old Muskerry Express whose age and experienced clearly helped in the dire conditions.

The older geldings maiden was divided with Commander Cully and Bucring Boy successful.

The 5/6 gelding maiden was the divided the more competitive second division going the way of Miracle Escape.

The second division witnessed the performance of the day when the Michael Hourigan trained newcomer Eurotrek (5 Eurobus) simply toyed with the opposition in the hands of Gordon Elliott. Interestingly like impressive Tallow winner Tuco he was also withdrawn at Carrigtwohill the previous week.

Eurotrek is very well regarded by the Hourigan camp, but they are undecided on what route to travel next.

Results
Race 1-- Confined Maiden 5 yr+
(1) Readers Choice (B Hassett)

Race 2-- Mares Maiden 5/6 only
(1) Camas North (C O Brien)

Race 3-- Open lightweight
(1) Legal Storm ( B Moran)
(2) On The Mobile

Race 4--Geldings Maiden 5/6 only Div 1
(1) Eurotrek (G Elliott)

Race 4--Geldings Maiden 5/6 only Div 2
(1) Miracle Escape (A McNamara)

Race 5-- Winners of One
(1) Muskerry Express (B Moran)

Race 6-- Geldings Maiden 7 yr+ Div 1
(1) Commander Cully (A McNamara)

Race 6-- Geldings Maiden 7yr+ Div 2
(1) Bucring Boy (E O Grady)

**** Datito the early season Lisgoold winner has joined Richard Phillips, he could be placed to win a bumper.

****  It will be interesting to see how the impressive Carrigtwohill winner Millstream Court gets on in the 3.00 at Clonmel on Thursday.

Next week
Sat 17/2/2001
Loughbrickland , Co. Down. 12 noon.

Sun 18/2/2001
Knockanard,Fermoy, Co.Cork. 12-30.
Clonmel Racecourse. 1-00.
Punchestown Racecourse. 12-30.