Irish Pointing Weekly Review
by Declan Phelan

Week Eight
Loughbrickland 17/2/2001
Knockanard, Clonmel & Punchestown 18/2/2001

Sat 17th February
Loughbrickland
The going was soft for this Northern meeting.

Feature of the meeting was the treble recorded by Sol McHugh. He recorded 2 wins in the O Neill colours that were carried successfully in 2000 on this circuit by Truckers Tavern. The 2 O Neill owned winners were Bay Island & Red Island.

Bay Island (Treasure Hunter) won a competitive 5 year old maiden just prevailing from Ian Buchanan's Just Mucking Around (Hollow Hand), with Catch A Grip (Celio Rufo) a close third.These three look up to track standard, another to take the eye here was the Wilson Dennison owned Ballycotton, a well bred son of Executive Perk, who was pulled up in the end.

Red Island (Aristocracy) won a 6 year old maiden that was poor event in terms of quality.

Go Go Gallant a decent handicapper in his day justified favouritism in the Open, while the concluding event produced the first dead heat of 2001.    

Results
Race 1 Mares Maiden 5 & 6 only     Div 1
(1) Alphamself (D Cullen)
(2) Leader Of Fashion
(3) Merry Maid
11 ran.

Race 1 Mares Maiden 5 & 6 only      Div 2
(1) Rotoruasprings (C Cosgrave)
(2) Tall Yarn
(3) Mothers Choice
10 ran.

Race 2 Geldings Maiden 5 yr only
(1) Bay Island (S McHugh)
(2) Just Mucking Around
(3) Catch A Grip
11 ran.

Race 3 Geldings Maiden 6 yr only
(1) Red Island (S McHugh)
(2) Fair Kiowa
(3) Kiowa Run
17 ran

Race 4 Open Lightweight (Ladies)
(1) Go Go Gallant (Miss C Hutchinson)
(2) Double Impact
(3) Tullamore
12 ran.

Race 5 Mares Maiden 7 yr+    Div 1
(1) Emily Rose (W Ewing)
(2) Cranfield Flier
(3) Teeiatchkay
12 ran.

Race 5 Mares Maiden 7 yr+     Div 2
(1) Rowdy Nights (L Lennon)
(2) Chantilly Way
(3) Greenmount Lass
12 ran.

Race 6 Geldings Maiden 7 yr+    Div 1
(1) Lobbing Along (W Ewing)
(2) My Man
(3) Soon Be Back
14 ran.

Race 6 Geldings Maiden 7 yr+    Div 2
(1) Mr Montana (S McHugh)             DEAD HEAT
(1) Flannigans Way (B Hamilton)
(3) Dads Army Too
13 ran.

Sunday 18th February
Knockanard
A right handed track smaller but similar to Towcester with a long downhill run in the backstraight but a very stiff continual climb over the last 3 furlongs to the finish with one fence jumped on the climb to the line.A little under 3 circuits of the track,14 fences.

The going was soft but it was a beautiful dry day.

Six contests were scheduled but  two divides led to eight races. Due to the increasing number of meetings I cannot be as elaborate as before so I will concentrate on the quality races.

The opening 5 year old maiden was the class race of the day. Keen Leader who ran an excellent second on his debut in the top class maiden at Dromahane (1/1/2001) came in for strong professional support (7/4 to 1/1). The local Cashman runner Silken Thyne who caught the eye at Killeagh on its debut was next up at 4/1. Noble Buck a prominent last fence faller on its debut at Dungarvan was a 5/1 shot, with Black Church Lad a runner on his debut at Kilfeacle behind Druids Glen trading at 8/1.

Front runner Back On Schedule cut out a strong pace until he weakened approaching 4 out. At this point Noble Buck, Silken Thyne and Keen Leader bunched for the lead. The 3 were in line at the second last, but Keen Leader powered to the front on the bend for home. He sealed victory by safely popping the last, and strode home clear of Silken Thyne. Black Church Lad stayed on into a respectful third with the fast finishing debutant Lord Jack pipping Noble Buck for 4th.

This was a good contest, the winner a son of Supreme Leader has the look of a quality 3 mile chaser, and with look in the next couple of years should be good enough to compete in races like the Reynoldstown Chase or the Sun Alliance Chase.He could even be a national horse in time. His victory here certainly stung the bookies.

The runner up Silken Thyne (Good Thyne 1/2 brother to Committed Schedule) improved on his first outing and should have little difficulty collecting next time.

Black Church Lad (Ashmolean) is a grey that can win a moderate point this season, but could be open to improvement if this experience has the right effect.

Lord Jack a Eugene O Sullivan trained son of Mister Lord looks a quality individual. Considering that the yard have been having a poor time of late, this horse could be one for the future. At times it is easy to get carried away with fast finishing losers, but Lord Jack will certainly come under the microscope next time.

Noble Buck, John Queally's son of Buckskin, shaped well but found the punishing climb at the finish against him. He can atone on an easier track

3 others who finished out of the money caught the eye. 

Dantes Banker a Liam Cashman trained debutant and stable second string is an exceptionally well bred son of Phardante, the dam being the former top class racemare Nancy Myles. He jumped poorly and was soon out of the reckoning, the stable were disappointed but pointed out that this horse will come into his own on decent ground.

The Paul Roche trained newcomer Lords Best (Mister Lord) was prominent for a long way and is a horse that you will hear more about.

Finally a really nice grey son of Roselier called Cray Valley Jet made a promising intro here under tender handling from Eoin Gallagher. This home bred out of a multiple winning dam could also be a horse to reckon with fro the future.

I would be disappointed if less than 5 future winners comes out of this race.

The second race was the Cork circuit's first mares only winners race of the season. The 5 year old grey Star Accord an impressive Killeagh winner was installed the 2/1 fav. Dual Leinster scorer Forgeside Express ( 6 Insan) was easy (2/1 - 3/1), also weak was Prometteuse (5/2-5/1)

Eoin Gallagher stole an early advantage leaving the start on Aghabullogue winner Pretty Young Thing. Star Accord, Prometteuse and Ear To The Ground gave chase, but Forgeside Express was in trouble early.

Running to the 3rd last Star Accord closed on Pretty Young Thing but could never get on terms with that 7 year old daughter of Yashgan, who courageously succeeded in making all. Ear To The Ground lost the battle for third to Prometteuse.

On better ground I would expect Star Accord to reverse form with the winner.

The open went the way of the top class pointing mare Instant Queen (9 Executive Perk) who eventually shook off the attentions of Legal Storm in the last 1/2 mile. This 4/6 shot is now earmarked for her first racecourse outing at Tramore in a Hunters Chase.

The 6 year old + maiden was divided with the laurels going to 2 outsiders--Vicars Chalet (7 Actinium) & Grizzly Activeware (7 Camden Town)--- a couple who caught the eye in Division 1 were--Droumleigh Lad (6 Jurado), a faller when leading 3 out, and the Pauline Gavin trained Ex Itinere (6 Little Bighorn, full brother to Gaora Cross), pulled up after being hampered by the latter.

The Adjacent Hunt Maiden produced an exciting finish with the hotpot from the Cashman yard Euro Alert (5 Eurobus) (4/7) just outbattling a couple of older rivals One Dawn(6 Spanish Place) and Total Empire. Fourth home Alpha Gold (6 Alphabetim) would have been closer but for a mistake at the last.

Euro Alert is a little on the small side but is a game sort, who one can imagine running well in 3 mile UK handicaps off a light weight in bottomless conditions.

One Dawn & Alpha Gold should score before the season's end.

The concluding mares maiden suffered a divide with the hitherto woefully exposed Caitleen Mavoureen (7 Duky) -form-BPPPPP-F,  turning over the joint favs Jimmy's Pride & Appel Island. The latter pair are becoming very expensive to follow.

The second division was won in impressive style by the 7/4 fav Misty Native (6 Be My Native) confidently handled by Eoin Gallagher. Misty Native who had finished second last time at Dungarvan is an improving sort who may collect in winners company.

One to catch the eye in the first division was Pennymaid (6 Husyan) who will be interesting next time after finishing well down the field here.

Results
Race 1 Geldings Maiden 5 yr only
(1) Keen Leader (J Sheehan)
(2) Silken Thyne
(3) Black Church Lad
15 ran

Race 2 Mares Winners Of 2
(1) Pretty Young Thing (E Gallagher)
(2) Star Accord
(3) Prometteuse
11 ran

Race 3 Open Lightweight
(1) Instant Queen (T Hyde)
(2) Commanche Country
(3) Ashley Heights
14 ran

Race 4 Geldings Maiden 6 yr+     Div 1
(1) Vicars Chalet (T Lombard)
(2) Mons Dante
(3) King Baltasar
13 ran

Race 4 Geldings Maiden 6 yr+      Div 2
(1) Grizzly Activeware (E O Grady)
(2) Never Delay
(3) Euro Changeover
13 ran

Race 5  Adjacent Hunt Maiden 5 yr+
(1) Euro Alert (P Cashman)
(2) One Dawn
(3) Total Empire
17 ran

Race 6 Mares Maiden 6 yr+        Div 1
(1) Caitlin Mavourneen (P Tobin)
(2) Jimmy's Pride
(3) Appel Island
14 ran

Race 6 Mares Maiden 6 yr+         Div 2 
(1) Misty Native (E Gallagher)
(2) Shining Amber
(3) Cool Lass
13 ran.

Clonmel
The going was heavy for this meeting which is run on the inside of the racetrack at Clonmel. Two and a half circuits 13 fences,2 in the homestraight.

Davy Russell was once again the star of the show, recording a four timer for the second week running.

His first win came aboard newcomer Nifty (5 Be My Native) which made all running in the Seamus Kennedy colours.

Beef Or Salmon (5 Cajetano) a last fence faller at Dungarvan collected an incident packed 5 year old maiden. The Russell ridden winner was one of four clear approaching 3 out, but the other three, Halla Halla, Doddle Addle, and Bacardi Boy all fell to leave Beef Or Salmon breeze home. The winner is no world beater, the same remark applies to stablemate Much Birch (7 Import) who made it a double for Michael Hourigan in the last.

Hurton just touched off at Dungarvan had a ready success for the Mouse Morris yard in the opener, and now goes Hunter Chasing.

The Open was a match on paper between Father Andy(1/1-D Russell) and the Paddy Hughes trained Mister Counterpoint (5/4- a promising maiden hurdler, making it's point debut). Heading to the second last this pair joined the long time leader Glenahary Rose, and in a dour slog to the line, it was Glenahary Rose(16/1)(Roselier) who got home first much to the delight of the bookies.           

Results
Race 1 Confined Hunt Maiden 5 yr+
(1) Hurton (G Power)
(2) Banging On
(3) Monte Bank
7 ran.

Race 2 Mares Maiden 5 yr only
(1) Nifty (D Russell)
(2) Glebe Beauty
(3) Musical Storm
18 ran

Race 3 Geldings Maiden 5 yr only(Powers Qualifier)
(1) Beef Or Salmon (D Russell)
(2) Karnico Bricanti
17 ran

Race 4 Geldings Maiden 6 yr+      Div 1
(1) Big Boy Sid (D Russell)
(2) A Good Mistake
(3) Goumaine Hill
14 ran

Race 4 Geldings Maiden 6 yr+       Div 2
(1) Harithabad (V Devereux)
(2) Punters Fortune
(3) Kilbreaney Boy
14 ran

Race 5 Open Lightweight
(1) Glenhary Rose ( S McCullagh)
(2) Mister Counterpoint
(3) Linger Jet
13 ran

Race 6 Mares Maiden 6 yr+            Div 1
(1) Apple River (D Whelan)
(2) Society Blue
(3) Kristinas Lady
16 ran

Race 6 Mares Maiden 6yr+            Div 2
(1) Much Birch (D Russell)
(2) State In Emergency
(3) Camden Three
15 ran

Punchestown
They race on the inside of the track. Two circuits, 14 fences.A very good galloping track. Going soft.

Performance of the day came in the opening Confined Hunt Open race where the Tony Martin trained/ridden Its Himself easily shouldered 13 stone to success on his seasonal reappearance. The Cheltenham Foxhunters is still on the cards, but he is expected to run this weekend in the hunters chase at Fairyhouse, after which the situation will be reviewed. In my opinion this horse is on a par with Sheltering, and the Cheltenham race will suit him more as a hold up horse than Sheltering who likes to dominate.

Apremont got the better of the Jim Dreaper trained Delheim in an exciting division of the Winners of One,  J D Moore won the second division on his father Arthur's Prince On The Ter (6 Terimon) which routed the opposition, and certainly should hold his own on the track. J D later completed a double on the Liam Cusack trained Kerrys Cross (6 Phardante).

In the 6 year old maidens, Pacamisto (6 Torus) got the better of a tight finish with Clawick Connection (6 Torus), and Gordon Elliott partnered Johnny's Gone (6 Balinger)  to  win over Lasair Dochais (6 Commanche Run)  and the promising Lay On McDuff (6 Supreme Leader) in pulsating finish to the second division.

The novice riders open also kept the judge busy as young Peter Duffy scored on board his family's Herb Superb to claim the scalps of Early Buck and the disappointing favourite Tenshookmen (4/5).

Results
Race 1 Confined Hunt Open
(1) Its Himself (AJ Martin)
(2) French Gossip
(3) Carneden Rose
9 ran

Race 2 Adjacent Hunts Winner Of 1      Div 1
(1) Apremont (A Fleming)
(2) Delheim
(3) Richtar
18 ran

Race 2 Adjacent Hunts Winner Of 1       Div 2
(1) Prince On The Ter (J D Moore)
(2) Tomogatchy
(3) Rip Kirby
18 ran

Race 3 Open Lightweight (Novice Riders)
(1) Herb Superb (P Duffy)
(2) Early Buck
(3) Tenshookmen
10 ran

Race 4 Geldings Maiden 6 yr only (Powers Qual)    Div 1
(1) Pacamisto (D Broad)
(2) Clawick Connection
(3) Redlyn
13 ran

Race 4 Geldings Maiden 6 yr only (Powers Qual)    Div 2
(1) Johnnys Gone (G Elliott)
(2) Lasair Dochas
(3) Lay On McDuff
12 ran

Race 5 Mares Maiden 5 & 6 yrs only    Div 1
(1) Five Rascals (R Quinlan)
(2) Jay O Dee
(3) Gallop A Storm
17 ran

Race 5 Mares Maiden 5 & 6 yrs only     Div 2
(1) Kerrys Cross (J D Moore)
(2) Love Divided
16 ran

Race 6 Geldings Maiden 7 yr+      Div 1
(1) Gutsy Dalton (G Elliott)
(2) Our Agent
(3) Selective Memory
14 ran

Race 6 Geldings Maiden 7 yr+      Div 2
(1) Rices Pool (A Fitzgerald)
(2) Dragon Tie
(3) Nubro
13 ran

Tuco the very impressive winner at Tallow last week has been purchased by David Nicholson, not sure what UK yard it is going to.

Next Week
Saturday 24th February
Comber, Co. Down.  2pm.

Sunday 25th February
Kildorrery, Co Cork. 1pm.
Ashford, Co Wicklow. 1.30pm.
Killaloe, Co. Clare. 1pm.