Point-to-Point

By Michael Carey

THE snow-capped Mourne Mountains provided the perfect backdrop at Tyrella on Saturday when the East Down Foxhounds got the spring point-to-point season under way.

The going was described by many as the best they had ever seen at Tyrella and thankfully the predicted rain kept away.

Newry trainer Liam Lennon, who has his charges in fine form, and Banbridge jockey James Smyth took the day’s honours when joining forces to record a double.

Their first success came in the Tattersalls Ireland Five-year-old Geldings Maiden race when Glen Gyle, having his first run since Necarne last May, came home in the style of a very good horse, winning by 12 lengths from Susquehanna River, trained by Eyssen Ross who is still on crutches with a broken ankle, this one being ridden by Sony Cary. A head behind came Wexford hope Shinrock Beat.

This success was a welcome one for long time owner, Scarva pig farmer William Anderson, who received a lot of congratulations afterwards. As a result of a good offer this horse may soon be sold.

Lennon and Smyth went on to take the Major MJ O’Reilly Memorial Open race with the ever-improving Tammy’s Hill, bred by the rider’s father Patsy and owned by his uncle Seamus.

Having won in smooth style the previous week in Co Wicklow, this horse was having its first run in Open company and it is hoped that it will be running at the Cheltenham Festival in March. Second past the post was Nedzer’s Return, with Essifer and Danny Fitzsimons third.

First race of the day and the 2012 season was the Armstrong Auctions Winner-of-Two race. A lot of horses had chances but at the finish it was Subaroo Blue, ridden by Bon O’Neill, that shot clear going to the final fence to win. Second was Casson and third was Alan Strain’s General Maccreevy, ridden by veteran Aaron Stronge who has started to ride under rules again on a regular basis.

The winner is owned by the Sporting Pointers Syndicate and trained at Derrylin by David Christie who ran three horses in the race.

The Albert Bartlett & Sons Five & Six-Year-Old Mares Maiden race saw 16 go to post with View The Dance, trained by Robert Brabazon in Co Westmeath, winning in good style under his son Ben. Ben waved his whip in triumph as he passed the post as this was his first success since he suffered a broken arm last Easter.

Second was Honey Bach, ridden by Jason McKeown, with local jockey Pat Turley finishing well in third on Along The Lane. It is worth recalling that Pat’s father and namesake, who is clerk of the course, finished second on his own Ebony VI in the half-bred race here in 1976.

Ballygowan’s Cathy Hanna had her first two runners as a trainer in this race, both owned by her father Sammy.

In the Tel’s Confectionery Seven-Year-Old and Upwards Mares Maiden race Pestal and Mortar, ridden by Jason McKeown, and Pegsdream and Noel McParlan raced into the final fence locked together but here the latter took a dreadful fall, trapping his rider for a time. This left the former to win in good style from long time leader Aces & Queens (Ben Brabazon) and Morewins Thansins, ridden by Pat Magee. Thankfully Pegsdream, owned by Liam Cosgrave, was okay except for a cut hind leg. Noel didn’t ride later in the day and left the venue with a sore shoulder. Gwyn Yemm, who also had a nasty fall at the penultimate fence, was taken to hospital with a head injury.

The winner is trained in Co Meath by Andy Lynch who likes to have a winner at the venue.

Twenty-three of the 24 entries were declared in the FS Herron Seven and Eight-Year-Old Geldings Maiden race so it was divided.

In the first divide Derek O’Connor got on the winner’s board when winning on Jane Ferguson’s Jack’s Grey, trained by her husband Ian at Ballymena. Running a good race to finish second was Carmel’s Boy trained by Neil McKnight and ridden by Danny Fitzsimons. Enniskillen and Caroline Woods finished third.

There was a nice local success in the second division with Be My Run winning in the long established colours of Strangford trainer Joe Magee. The success provided Stephen Magee who is a chemist, with a welcome change of luck.

The success was made easier when Kansascity Shuffle and Anthony Doyle fell at the last fence, this mishap leaving Gosse De Song, for the Lennon/Smyth combination, to fill the runners-up position ahead of Elegant Henry for the Lynch & McKeown combination.

Acting Stewards were Dessie Osbourne, Max Ervine, Brian Polly and EM Boyd.

INHS representative was Raymund Martin who rode his father’s Dickwyn to win the Hunt race in 1976.

Geddis Hope Transport sponsored the Best Turned Out in all races.

* The East Down Hunt Ball will be held in the Burrendale Hotel and Country Club on Friday, February 10. Table and tickets can be booked by calling 07753 397276.

* Next meeting is the North Downs at Kirkistown on February 11, first race noon.

* A notable voice missing at Tyrella was that of Michael Murray who has given up the job he did so well due to illness. Roland Eddie will be a suitable replacement at the North Down meeting.

* Don’t forget Down Royal today (Wednesday) first race 1.05pm approx.