Draghunting: Sean T lands the spoils at Fair Hill

SEAN T of Griffin United had to produce a sterling run before winning the Northern Hunt Senior Draghunt at Fair Hill on Monday.

In recent weeks this hound trained by the father and son partnership of John and Sean O’Sullivan has been running consistently well and on this occasion he had to show all his finishing ability to land the spoils.

Indeed the runner up Zion trained by Pat O’Mahony of Kerry Pike/Fair Hill Harriers was an unlucky loser as he seemed to jump the wrong ditch on route to the tape and didn’t have the pace of the winner when the draghunt was there to be won.

The third hound to cross the tape was the consistent Tiger’s Boy of Shanakiel Harriers trained by the Gerry Murphy and Sheila Cummins partnership.

The remaining placed hounds were Blue Lad, Eagle T and Jamie’s Gem.

Speaking after the draghunt the winning trainer John O’Sullivan was naturally pleased with the performance of his hound.

“We are pleased in how Sean T has started the season but he was made work hard today before eventually getting his head in front,” he said.

In the Senior Maiden draghunt Hannah Banana of Mayfield won her third race on the spin and this time it raced clear of Huntsman’s Sunshine of Kerry Pike/Fair Hill Harriers trained by Tristan and Ava Herlihy.

The ultra-consistent Penny’s Girl of Shanakiel Harriers snatched third ahead of High Maintenance, Riley and Zodiac Jack.

Winning trainer Troy O’Mahony needs only one more win in this grade before getting promoted to the Senior ranks and looking at her form to date she could well mix it with the elite at the top tier.

The Puppy draghunt was held at the same venue on Saturday and in rain-sodden conditions the honours went to the Pat O’Mahony Kerry Pike/Fair Hill Harriers trained Rodman.

On a course where many of the hounds struggled with the weather the winner found the best turn of foot on the finish to cross the tape ahead of the Clogheen duo Not Now Mary and kennelmate Not Now Betty.

The remaining brave hounds to handle the wet conditions were Showtime Star, Roy Court and Dingo.

The winning kennel are certainly firing on all cylinders and trainer Pat O’Mahony was delighted to see his young charge win his first draghunt of the new season.

“I think the majority of trainers will admit it’s great to see your puppy get their first win and my hound showed his battling qualities that secured him this success,” he said.

On Sunday next Griffin United will host their Senior draghunt at Whitechurch.

Results 

Northern Hunt Senior: 1. Sean T (Griffin United); 2. Zion (Kerry Pike/Fair Hill Harriers); 3. Tiger’s Boy (Shanakiel Harriers); 4. Blue Lad (Southern/Carrigaline Harriers); 5. Eagle T (Griffin United); 6. Jamie’s Gem (Clogheen).

Senior Maiden: 1. Hannah Banana (Mayfield); 2. Huntsman’s Sunshine (Kerry Pike/Fair Hill Harriers); 3. Penny’s Girl (Shanakiel Harriers); 4. High Maintenance (Kerry Pike/Shanakiel Harriers); 5. Riley (Shanakiel Harriers); 6. Zodiac Jack (Southern/Carrigaline Harriers).

Puppy: 1. Rodman (Kerry Pike/Fair Hill Harriers); 2. Not Now Mary (Clogheen); 3. Not Now Betty (Northern Hunt); 4. Showtime Star (Shanakiel Harriers); 5. Roy Court (Griffin United); 6. Dingo (Shanakiel Harriers).

Mayfield Senior Rerun: 1. Zion (Kerry Pike/Fair Hill Harriers); 2. Philly’s Star (Northern Hunt); 3. Blue Lad (Southern/Carrigaline Harriers); 4. Tiger’s Boy (Shanakiel Harriers); 5. Jamie’s Gem (Clogheen); 6. Naoi (Shanakiel Harriers).

Senior Maiden: 1. Slievemish Bounce (Clogheen); 2. Huntsman’s Sunshine (Kerry Pike/Fair Hill Harriers); 3. Not Now Ike (Clogheen); 4. Penny’s Girl (Shanakiel Harriers); 5. Riley (Shanakiel Harriers); 6. Authentic (Northern Hunt).