Maple Mons and 'Bon' O'Neill© Photo Healy Racing
Leading point-to-point rider and the top mare from that sphere, Barry O'Neill and Maple Mons combined for an impressive win in the BoyleSports Joseph R. O'Reilly Hunters Chase at Fairyhouse.
The gambled-on Heaney and Maple Mons, were always up there in this extended three miler, but the victorious daughter of Great Exhibition proved much the strongest over the closing few fences in the straight.
She'd only a point-to-point on Saturday whilst O'Neill partnered his 400th winner 'between the flags' at Stradbally yesterday were he departed with a four-timer. B L Swagger eventually chased home Maple Mons at a distance of twelve lengths. Mount Colah meanwhile was the big disappointment and he pulled up in the end.
David Christe owns and trains Maple Mons at his Derrylin County Fermanagh base.
He said: "She's some mare. She's kind of old school because she came off the back of a mountain in Donegal.
"We always knew she was good but she's going back to the way horses used to be where they went in as yearlings and going through sales and stuff like that.
"It took her a few years to find her strength and she's only finding it now.
"Barry was very clever. He said to me 'it's pretty soft in the inside and I'm going to ride wide. It might look terrible but I'm going wide.'
"He said he could actually here her feet rattling on the outside. Brendan Sheridan said to me that it would be dangerous out there but she loves that.
"She's actually been doing all her winning this winter on ground that she hates.
"I gave her a run in a point-to-point up north on Saturday as she actually bolts at home and she is nearly unrideable.
"I thought I'll run her in a point to point as she's calmer there and then I'll lunge her up until the day.
"In the next three to four weeks we'll look at sires. She's going to go in foal.
"We'll hopefully see out the point to point season and then we'll try and win something nice on the track with her at the beginning of the summer on good ground and then that'll be it for her.
"At that time of year we might be just as well going for a maiden rather than a handicap."
The Stewards received a report from W. Fleming , Turf Club Clerk of the Scales, regarding the fact that Mr B. O'Neill , rider of Maple Mons , weighed in at 1.2 lbs overweight. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned, who stated that he rode with a good size saddle but had a drink of water before the race. Having considered the evidence, the Stewards were satisfied that Mr B. O'Neill was in breach of Rule 231 and they therefore cautioned him .
The Turf Club Veterinary Officer examined Mount Colah, trained by S. McParlan, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be blowing hard post race.
(GC & EM)
