Big wins for Michael Kenneally and Alan O'Sullivan at Killeady Harriers Point to Point

The annual Killeady Harriers Point-to-Point fixture took place at Dromahane and will live long in the memory of rider Michael Kenneally as the Dungourney native recorded an initial career timer with his middle success coming aboard the Eugene O’Sullivan-trained Bugs Moran in the open lightweight.

The eight-year-old Bugs Moran (3/1), who was making his points debut having been absent since finishing sixth in a handicap hurdle at Cheltenham in October 2023 when under the care of Noel Meade, went to the front from the third fence and he was clearly containing last month’s Castlelands winner King Alex from before the penultimate of the 15 obstacles. 

Bugs Moran, a former 132-rated hurdler, then stormed clear before the last to beat King Alex by seven lengths in the colours of Tomás Singleton with a further three-and-a-half length break back to Born By The Sea in third spot.

In handler O’Sullivan’s absence, his nephew Alan O’Sullivan reported of Bugs Moran: “In fairness, he is a horse that has always had the class. He has also had a few problems and hopefully, he will go on to have a good season now. The plan will probably be to go for a hunters chase at Cork on Easter Monday." 

The East Cork amateur initiated his hat-trick aboard Dungarvan-based owner/trainer Edmund Power’s newcomer Nova Nako (10/1) in the truly-run four-year-old geldings’ maiden. 

Nova Nako was soon positioned at the head of affairs and from three out, it was clear that he had only one possible danger in the form of the pursuing favourite Coconut Man as the remainder of his rivals were well strung out in behind. The Tirwanako-sired Nova Nako though was showing no signs of stopping and he readily maintained the momentum to account for Coconut Man by seven lengths with Max’d Out securing the minor honours, a further 20 lengths adrift.

HOMEWORK

Handler Power, who has run just one other horse this season, disclosed: “This horse did what we thought he would do on his homework at home. Michael gave him a very good enterprising ride from the front. My son Kieran couldn’t ride him as he wouldn’t have been able to use his five lbs claim. He will now probably be sold." 

The 29-year-old Kenneally brought up his treble aboard Goatenbridge-based owner/trainer/breeder James Condon’s newcomer Howsmenoftomorro (1/2) in the five-year-old and upwards maiden, a race that was restricted to handers’ that hadn’t previously trained any more than 10 winners but in which just two horses went to post. The five-year-old Howsmenoftomorro set off in front and was left to come home in splendid isolation when the mare Woodie Peck Her, who was just a half-length adrift at the time, fell at the second last.

Long-standing points supporter Condon remarked of Howsmenoftomorro: "He’s a horse that has always given a good feel and Cal Shine has often rode him work. 

I came up with the name as my late father Bob, who died two years ago this summer, would often say to the grandchildren how are the men of tomorrow." 

 Alan O’Sullivan kept his supporters happy by landing the five-year-old and upwards mares’ maiden aboard the David Murphy-trained Ballylicky Bay (4/1). The recent Lisronagh debut fourth Ballylicky Bay always travelled well on the inner and she made her way to the front before two out. Whilst runner-up One Day In May staged a determined rally on the flat, the winning daughter of Order Of St George held on to prevail by a short head in what was the closest finish of the afternoon.

"She had a very good run in a hot maiden at Lisronagh last month and we bought her privately as a three-year-old," said Fermoy native David Murphy of his father Jeff’s Ballylicky Bay. "I’d imagine that we will probably sell her now." 

Finian Maguire teamed up with in-form handler Jonathan Fogarty to collect the four-year-old mares’ maiden with well-supported newcomer Storm Queen (3/1 – 6/4), much to the dismay of the 12 bookmakers present. Storm Queen made all the running and could be called the most likely from three out. Whilst her advantage was reduced somewhat from the last, she was always in control and duly fought off Ciaran Fennessy’s Hello Johnjoe by five and a half lengths.

"Her homework was always very good and she did what we thought she would do. She was bought from Peter Nolan at the Goffs Arkle sale last year and will be on the market now," said handler Fogarty of the mainly flat-bred Storm Queen.

Tom Keating has his string in fine order and the owner/trainer struck with Burncourt Boy (4/1) in the five-year-old geldings’ maiden. 

The Shirocco-sired Burncourt Boy, who fell two out on his debut at Ballysteen last spring, led from the fifth-last here until overtaken by King’s Son with three fences remaining. Jamie Scallan refused to panic though and he brought Burncourt Boy back to lead some 100 yards out en route to dismissing King’s Son by one and a half lengths.

On Wednesday, the annual pre-Easter Inch meeting takes place at Ballyknock (1pm start).