Report | Damma House 03rd November 2019

It was a red-letter day for the father and son partnership of Gerard and Brian Lawless as they enjoyed a double on the afternoon.

The first of the two victories for the pair came in the Eoin Doyle winner-of-two courtesy of Lough Derg Lyric.
Previously a two-time winner, the son of Court Cave, who was appearing for the first time since finishing second at Broughshane last May, ran out an easy six-length winner over Tinahely victor Ran Rite.

Winning Handler Gerard said: “I’m thrilled to get it, we went to the north last week and didn’t run in the end. I have to say a big thanks to the family, Katie, Seán, Brian, and Ann Marie. They have done a great job with him and they do the graft. That’s three now for him. He’ll tell us when he will run again, and he will stay between the flags.”

The Lawless family returned to the winner’s enclosure following the Connollys Red Mills six-year-old and upwards maiden when Ryan’s Cove stepped up from two previous efforts, to complete their Damma House double.

The daughter of Court Cave avoided the dramatic events at the penultimate fence to record an eight-length victory over the Alison Murphy-trained Kalamkan.
Sporting the colours of owner Frank O’Donnell, the six-year-old mare will now be aimed at winner’s company next.

Co. Wicklow-based handler Lawless said: “I didn’t think Cheltenham started in a field in Kilkenny, but this is better than anything. You just need a bit of luck in this game and we got it today. Hopefully we will get a couple of more owners and a better class of horse and kick on. We are very small, and we are enjoying it. It’s great when you get two on the one day.”

Colin Bowe secured his eighth success of the season in the Tattersalls Ireland four-year-old maiden courtesy of Prince Escalus in the hands of James Kenny.

The son of Jeremy, who was a €42,000 Derby sale graduate, took up the running with two fences to jump, before extending his advantage before the last as he returned eight lengths ahead of The Grey Falco, and the newcomer will now be bound for the sales.

Handler Colin Bowe’s representative Keith Cogley said: “That was grand, he’ll go to the sales now. I always thought a bit of him and he always showed plenty at home.”

Gary Carson saddled his first winner of the season when securing the GAIN Equine Nutrition five and six-year-old mares’ maiden when Mamaslittlestar came through to take victory on the run to the line in the hands of Co. Meath-based rider Paul Bannon.

The Stowaway mare, who was second to Leeswood Lily at Tinahely last time out, recorded a two-length defeat of the Donnchadh Doyle-trained Jerminnie Green, as the pair returned the only finishers of the five-runner contest.

“Gary is away at the moment in England, but the man is overjoyed! Gary bought her at the sales last May and took it from there. We are delighted with that,” said Joan Doyle on behalf of handler Carson.

Young Carlow rider Tommy Mahon secured his first winner of the season aboard Tony Mullins’ locally trained Man on the Run when landing the Goffs five-and-six-year old geldings’ maiden.

The six-year-old was given a positive ride, before finding plenty for pressure to see-off the attentions of the runner-up Rebal Gold by five lengths.

The successful handler was on hand to greet his winner and said: “He showed us a lot as a four-year-old. He ran off the gallop one day and hurt himself and we left him off then. We thought he was quite a good horse then. I’d say he wanted the run today and he might be a smart horse yet. I wouldn’t think he’d be sold, and I think we’ll keep him as he’s rising seven, I don’t think he’d make the fancy money, he won’t be sold cheap anyway even if he is sold.”

Mala Beach made his point-to-point debut when landing the Ballylinch Stud open for novice riders carrying the colours of owner Chris Jones.

Second in a Down Royal chase last March, the Gordon Elliott-trained Beneficial gelding was in a league of his own when finishing a distance ahead of  Cappacurry Zak, who was the only other finisher in a field of five.

Winning rider Ben Harvey said: “He did it brilliantly. We hacked for the first half of the race, and it turned into a bit of a sprint, but I was only cantering the whole way around. He jumped brilliant for me. He is a classy horse.”