Bloodstream in full flow to beat favourite

For the second year in succession, leading mare Sliabh Mhuire Lass was turned over at short odds in the A One Tyres mares’ open, this time being soundly beaten by Bloodstream.

Twelve months ago the chestnut Grandera mare was forced to pull up in the testing conditions and, although the ground was a lot quicker this time, she was unable to supplement this month’s impressive Loughrea victory.

The six-year-old Bloodstream had already accounted for the favourite when they met at Belclare in March and John Murphy’s daughter of Scorpion backed that up with an eight-length victory in the hands of the handler’s son Luke.

“We thought she would need the run as it looked a tough race but Luke said she was never better,” said the winning handler.

“She’s a straightforward mare and enjoys her racing. We’ll keep her pointing in mares’ opens and see how things are going in the spring, then maybe go for a hunter chase.”

Favourite backers recouped some of their losses 30 minutes later in the Wilsons Auctions older geldings’ maiden when Hi Murphy cruised to victory thanks to a super-cool ride by Noel McParlan as they beat Pegase Amour by a neck.

Bred by owner Peter Murphy, the Gamut gelding was entitled to win this four-runner contest comfortably on the form of his run against younger horses at Louganmore in May and the father-and-son team of Sean and Noel McParlan will hope he can progress, with McParlan snr indicating they would now go for a winners-of-one race.

Donnchadh Doyle is ensuring his trips across the border are worthwhile this season and he moved to the head of the handlers’ table with a fifth success of the campaign when Winged Leader landed the Dennison Commercials four-year-old geldings’ maiden.

A €24,000 purchase from the Goffs Land Rover sale, the Monbeg Syndicate-owned gelding left some disappointing efforts behind him to return to the promise of his Dromahane debut and beat newcomer Old Jewry by six lengths.

“He had a lovely run first time out but we couldn’t really get him back to the same form. He travelled well and really jumped his way into the race. He could have another run in winners’ company before heading to the sales,” said winning rider Rob James.

Star performance
Winged Leader came through this test comfortably with a performance that saw him bounce back to the promise of his Dromahane debut