Monksgrange survives and great day for James and Goff

By Dan Walsh at Bree Hunt races at Monksgrange

The Bree Hunt point-to-point at Monksgrange survived an early morning inspection and the fixture went ahead in heavy conditions, much to the delight of local rider Rob James who rode three of the seven winners and the Goff family from Clondaw, Ferns, whose son, Harry (18), rode his first winner and they added an across the card double with success at today’s other point-to-point at Quakerstown, Co. Clare.

Racing got underway with the maiden race for four-year-old mares and a one length success for Jackie Hobbs, ridden by Sean Staples for Paul Martin Pierce. “Bought for €36,000 at Goffs Spring Store Sale Jackie Hobbs will now be destined for the sales,” said the Blackhall, Killurin handler Paul Martin Pierce who was recording his 35^th career success.

The maiden race for four-year-old geldings was run in two divisions; The first divide went the way of He Can’t Dance, handled and ridden by Rob James for the Matchmaker Syndicate by two and a half lengths and the second divide was a victory for owner/handler Thomas Byrne from Kilmore who is having a good season with a small string with Chef’s Kiss. Josh Berry was in the saddle and the verdict was ‘a head’ with Michael Goff’s Hurricane Pat coming close with Harry Goff up. First victory of the season for Kilmore’s Josh Berry, but his fifth career success. Chef’s Kiss is another winner sales bound.

The Winner of Two Race was confined to novice riders, and it was a first success for Harry Goff on the Tinahely winning gelding Justatan owned by the rider’s mother Caitriona Goff and trained by his father Michael Goff, so a popular family success and an occasion to celebrate for the Goffs. Four lengths the winning margin.

Another local handler Cormac Doyle saddled the 16 lengths winner of the maiden race for five-year-old geldings Soldier In Milan ridden by Jack Hendrick. Out of a half-sister to the 2011 Grand National runner-up Oscar Time, Soldier In Milan now goes to the Goffs Aintree Sales.

Rob James recorded a double on Kate Of The Lodge for champion handler Colin Bowe, by 16 lengths and only two of the seven starters finished, in the maiden race for mares five-years-old and upwards. The Brian Kenny owned bay mare had fallen on her previous outing at Knockanohill putting champion rider Barry O’Neill on the sidelines for a short spell.

Rob James clocked up his third victory of the day on Kakadu Park for Donnchadh Doyle by four lengths beating Colin Bowe’s Primitic (Bertie Finn) in the final race, the maiden for for six-year-olds and upwards geldings.

Michael Goff also saddled a winner at Quakerstown, Co. Clare, this afternoon; newcomer Jordans Cross ridden by Mikey Sweeney scored by five lengths in division two of the maiden race for four-year-olds.

Cleariestown handler Mark Scallan also succeeded at the Clare track; Star of Diamonds scored a four and a half lengths victory for rider Jimmy O’Rourke, Clonard, Wexford – on his 74^th career winner mark -in the maiden race for five-year-old geldings.