Clare jockey’s point-to-point domination continues

Derek O’Connor continues to dominate on the point-to-point scene and the Tubber jockey partnered two winners at the recent Tipperary Foxhounds’ fixture at Lisronagh.

The first race at the Clonmel venue was the Goffs UK Aintree Sale four-year-old maiden. Nine faced the starter here and it was fitting that O’Connor – who is Irish agent for Goffs UK – should take the spoils when guiding the impressive Act Of Authority to victory.

Trained in County Kilkenny by Ellmarie Holden, this son of Authorized, who was one of seven debutantes in the nine-runner field, went off 2/1 favourite.

Sent to the head of affairs after half-a-mile, Act Of Authority stayed on well in the closing stages to repel the challenge of fellow first-timer Jet Smart by two lengths.

A €145K store purchase at last year’s Goffs Land Rover Sale, the winner is now more than likely to come under the hammer at the upcoming Aintree Sale.

Half-an-hour later, O’Connor completed his double when teaming up with his Tubber neighbour and lifelong friend, John Staunton, to land the five-year-old geldings’ maiden aboard 5/2 shot Prince De Juilley.

Fourth first time out in a competitive maiden in Bellharbour, Staunton’s charge – who was green on that occasion – progressed nicely from his initial outing when showing good resulution in the closing stages to beat John Murphy’s Dexterity by a head.

Purchased by currently sidelined jockey Eoin Mahon for €9,500 as a three-year-old, the winner looks a nice sort with a good mix of speed and stamina. The French-bred – who was giving in-form Staunton his second winner in seven days – can go on to make his mark on the racecourse.

Quin jockey, Laura Costello, was among the winners when guiding Future Benefits (7/1) to victory in the concluding Adjacent Hunts maiden at Sunday’s Galway Blazers meeting in Loughrea.

This was a real family affair as the winner is trained in Newmarket-on-Fergus by Tom Costello for his brother Adrian Costello – both uncles of the winning rider.

In front from the drop of the flag, Future Benefits, who had filled the runner-up spot in Belclare just seven days earlier, jumped beautifully for his talented rider.

The five-year-old had his task eased when the pursuing Road To The Weir (looked hels at the time) unseated his rider at the final fence, leaving the victorious son of Leading Light to beat eventual runner-up Lights Are Green by a dozen lengths.

Having recorded her initial success aboard the family-owned Keep Me Posted at Ballycahane three weeks earlier, Laura – who works full-time as pharmacist – is certainly making most of the opportunities presented to her.

Costello ends barren spell

Scariff-born trainer, Flan Costello, is one the most popular characters in racing. A familiar figure in business circles in Limerick, his Costello’s Tavern on Dominick Street has long been a well-known Clare haunt in the Treaty City.

Costello is a huge supporter of all-things Banner – his colours are royal blue with a yellow sash – with Clare hurling teams a particular passion of his.

He trains in Knocklong and ended a near five-year winless spell when his 25/1 shot, Masterstonemason, won at Greenmount Park on Sunday, March 27.

Without a victory since the now world famous Rachael Blackmore partnered the same horse to victory in a three-year-old hurdle at Gowran Park back in 2017, Costello’s charge was very much an outsider in the 11-runner Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Hurdle.

Charlie O’Dwyer took the mount aboard the grey son of Mastercraftsman in this two-mile contest. Only seventh turning into the home straight, Masterstonemason looked destined for a podium finish at best as Rock On Seamie led at the final flight.

Credit to O’Dwyer, however, he went for a daring run up the far rail, and the manoeuvre paid off as Masterstonemason got up right on the line to beat Getthenod by a neck with Rock On Seamie a nose away in third.

The winning owner/trainer wasn’t present, but his son Flan jnr reported: “This is fantastic. Dad is watching it on the couch at home and he’ll be thrilled. It’s great for him, he loves his sport and racing is his thing.

“This horse has had problems with his back, but we’ve sorted those out now. We had him tuned up for today and he was beating everything at home. We’ve 14 riding out at the moment. It’s a small, family-run operation and we have a few very nice horses to look forward to.”

Jessica Harrington’s 13/8 favourite Lifetime Ambition took the featured Hugh McMahon Novice Chase in good style under Robbie Power.

Arguably, the most impressive performance on what was a beautiful afternoon at the Patrickwell venue came from Impulsive Dancer in the concluding €35,000 Listed Kevin McManus bumper.

A winner first time out at Naas in January for Clare-born trainer Richard O’Brien, Impulsive Dancer was subsequently sold to leading UK owners Simon Munir and Isaac Souede, who sent him to champion trainer Willie Mullins.

Mullins had two in Sunday’s race, with Mercury, ridden by his son Patrick, going off 1/4 favourite. Jody Townend did the steering on Impulsive Dancer, with the two swinging into the home straight disputing the lead.

When the chips were down, it was Impulsive Dancer (100/30) who found the most as the son of Dragon Pulse stayed on strongly to beat the eye-catching Blizard Of Oz by three lengths.

Disappointing favourite Mercurey was a short-head away in third.

Mullins mentioned the Champion Bumper at the Punchestown Festival as a possible target for the highly-regarded winner.

Injury for McDonagh

Cratloe jockey Mark McDonagh has been on a hot streak recently including a Cheltenham Festival winner, but the other side of the game hit him hard last Thursday.

Falls and injuries are ever present dangers for jump jockeys, though you don’t expect to suffer that fate on the flat.

That is what happened in the closing bumper to Naas’ Thursday card however when McDonagh and his mount Barnwick were brought down by a horse slipping up in front of them.

McDonagh injured his shoulder in the tumble and looks set for a spell on the sidelines. For how long remains to be seen.

Prior to that he had tasted more success in Cork the previous Thursday when over 2,000 students turned out for a raceday at the Mallow track.

McDonagh kept his followers happy when guiding well-backed 9/2 shot, Nell’s Well, to victory in the three-mile Conn-Neigh’s Yard handicap hurdle.

Sean O’Brien trains this daughter of Gold Well at his Kilworth, County Cork yard. Up front in the early stages, McDonagh’s mount lost her place briefly before moving into contention early in the home straight.

In front jumping the last, the Patrick Casey-owned mare had the race in safe keeping at this point and was full value for her one-and-a-quarter-length verdict over runner-up Wild Hunt.

The winning trainer divulged: “To be honest I was apprehensive enough about running her as the ground was a big concern. Her best form is with a bit of juice in it, but I walked it and was happy enough that it was safe.

“Mark gave her a lovely patient ride. He knows her well and won a Grade 3 on her here before Christmas. Where she goes next is very much ground-dependent. I can’t wait to send her over fences, she is really good over them. I’m looking forward to that.”