Thrills galore at Tyrella spectacle

Thrills galore at Tyrella spectacle

11 March 2015

GROUND conditions were on the quick side at Tyrella on Saturday where racegoers were treated to some great action with top jockeys Derek O’Connor and Jamie Codd getting among the winners.

O’Connor, who recently broke the record as the most successful winning rider in Ireland, combined with top points trainer Ian Ferguson to land the spoils in the geldings’ maiden on 9/4 joint favourite Fagan.

Rob James led over the second last on A Bold Move but O’Connor produced his mount to lead heading for the final fence before racing clear to win by three and a half lengths.

“He’s a real nice, fun horse and we’ll look at a winners’ race next and maybe even head to Perth with him,” said Ballymena trainer Ferguson in the winner’s enclosure.

Saintfield runner Count Massini, third last time out at Kirkistown, was a strong fancy in the winners’ confined hunt race, run in memory of Kilclief’s Joe Magee and Seaforde’s Tom McDowell. Champion jockey Jamie Codd took the mount and produced the odds-on 1/3 favourite to lead approaching the final bend to deny Noel McParlan on Niall 

McCarthy’s Carnglave Cat by three lengths.

The opening race of the day saw only five go to post for the four-year-old maiden race with a close finish on the cards as Derek O’Connor on Ballycross and Bon O’Neill on debutant Bidasse raced towards the final fence.

Both horses and jockeys collided in mid-air and as they raced clear of the fence O’Connor was unshipped from the 5/4 favourite allowing O’Neill to regain his composure on Colin Bowe’s runner to score by six lengths as Jamie Codd came through on Sergeant Brody to grab second place. 

The final fence once again proved decisive in the mares’ maiden race with Cabra jockey Noel McParlan being badly hampered on 7/2 chance Oneforthenure after Josh’s Sister and Rob James veered left upon landing.

In the race to the line Josh’s Sister asserted by a length and a half with a stewards’ enquiry called as the runners came back to the winner’s enclosure.

Following deliberations with both jockeys the result was unchanged much to the delight of Tullamore trainer Michael Kearns.

“It’s my first time at Tyrella and it looks a great track,” said Kearns. “We’ll aim her for a winners’ race next.”

Only five faced the starter for the Lagan Construction Group winners of three race with Butlergrove King giving Harley Dunne his third success of the season when proving superior to Bon O’Neill and Maple Mons by a length and a half.

“This fella’s a proper chaser. We went a good gallop, he stuck at it well and jumped superb,” said Dunne on his way to weigh in.

The biggest field of the day lined up for the final race on the card in the novice riders’ event. Victory went to Darragh Lambe who rode his second career winner when producing Mark Fagan’s runner Lion’s Choice with a well timed run into the home straight before clearing the last and running out a three lengths winner from Wexford raider Duplicate Daughter in the hands of popular Kerry jockey Pat O’Sullivan. 

The Minerstown Tavern held a Cheltenham preview event following racing with proceeds going to the Jonjo Bright Trust. The event proved to be a tremendous success raising in the region of £5,000.

Attheraces commentator Richard Pugh conducted a question-and answer-session before a packed audience who listened intently as top point-to-point jockey Jamie Codd, Noel Chance, trainer of two Cheltenham Gold Cup winners, Crossgar trainer Colin McBratney who saddles Carsonstown Boy in the Cheltenham hunter chase on Friday, and Toal’s representative Mark McQuoid, gave their expert opinions on this festival of racing in the Cotswolds.

Well done to organisers Donal Smith, Lesley McMullan, Jim Monaghan, Sharon Monaghan, Patrick Smith and to all those who purchased tickets and sponsored prizes for such a worthy cause.