The Aintree Sale 2018

P2P.ie Review: Atlantic Shore took the five-year-old geldings’ maiden at Knockanard in February on what was his second start between the flags. The Mark Cahill-trained winner had one previous run where he finished runner-up to the promising Dickie Diver at Templencarriga in December having made a bad mistake at the penultimate fence to stay on gamely behind the winner. Stepping up from that effort, Atlantic Shore disputed the lead for much of the race and when headed the before the third last fence, he responded well to regain his lead and went on to win by a length and a half over a horse who had been placed on his last two starts this season. He produced the fastest time of the day over the three mile trip which was 12 seconds faster than the day’s average. By the exciting sire, Mahler, Atlantic Shore is out of winning track family and looks like a horse that could be a real money spinner for his new connections.

P2P.ie Review: Tara West heads to the sales following her debut success at Loughanmore in a competitive four-year-old mares’ maiden. Having been ridden prominently from flag-fall, Tara West took up the lead from the half-way point which saw the tempo of the race increased on the final half mile. The daughter of Kayf Tara was headed on the run to the final fence but found plenty under pressure on the run-in to regain the lead and went on to record a head victory for the Donnchadh Doyle yard. Tara West is from a prolific winning family as she is a half-sister to six track winners and is also related to the talented flat mare Rixe River as well as the Group three placed, River Waki. This exciting mare looks the sort that will be a real addition to any trainer’s yard in mares’ races over the coming seasons.

P2P.ie Review: Lisnagar Oscar made his debut a winning one when taking his five-year-old maiden at Liscarroll. Ridden patiently towards the rear of the field for much of the race, the son of Oscar made steady progress over the final half a mile to dispute the lead at the third last fence before taking up the lead at the penultimate obstacle which saw him storm clear of his rivals to record an eight length success. The decisive winner was one of two newcomers in the line-up and is from a stellar black-type winning family as he is out of a full-sister to the Grade one winner, Whisper as well as the Listed and eight-time winner, Chuchoteuse. Lisnagar Oscar showed a likeable attitude and looks like a gelding that can develop into a smart track performer that will have an exciting future inside the rails.

P2P.ie Review: Gaelik Coast created a big impression when winning at Castletown-Geoghegan on his debut. The Donnchadh Doyle-trained winner was ridden patiently until making smooth progress from the fourth last fence where he made further headway to lead at the next and quickly gained the upper hand over his rivals. Quickening away from the field on the run to the final fence, Gaelik Coast won by a comfortable four lengths at the finish. An eye-catching horse in the paddock, Gaelik Coast is by the exciting sire Coastal Path. Given the pace he showed in the latter part of the race it is unsurprising to see that he is from a strong winning flat family. A half-brother to six track winners, other notable names within his family include the Listed hurdle winner Gaelic Ocean. Great confidence has to be taken from this performance that he is a potentially classy sort who looks like he could develop into an exciting youngster on the race track.

P2P.ie Replay: Minella Bobo made his debut a winning one when he took his five-year-old geldings’ maiden at Inch in March. Racing behind the leaders, the son of Oscar moved through to take up the lead from the penultimate fence where he stayed on well in the home straight and combined a good jump at the last to secure a two length win for the John Nallen yard over Liosduin Bhearna who had been placed on his previous start. One of four newcomers in the race, Minella Bobo travelled and jumped well throughout and is a half-brother to the dual hurdle winner this year, Minellatillmorning as well as being out of the Grade one placed Granit Jack. He's a horse with a nice blend of both speed and stamina and looks like a gelding that can develop into a smart track performer.

P2P.ie Review: Blazers Mill ran a cracker when second on his debut at Tyrella behind the impressive Birchdale. The son of Westerner chased the leaders throughout before progressing to dispute the lead at the penultimate fence where he kept on strongly on the run-in and was just narrowly beaten by a length at the finish. Having shown a notably turn of foot in the closing stages with the eventual winner, it is unsurprising to see that Blazers Mill is a half-brother to two bumper winners. Out of a daughter of the Grade one placed Palette, this eye-catching runner-up is also from the family of Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Coneygree and the Grade one placed Carruthers who is a very likeable youngster with a lot to offer it seems.

P2P.ie Review: Faustinovick made a very promising debut at Borris when finishing second to the highly regarded Andy Dufresne in a competitive four-year-old maiden. Faustinovick was ridden in mid-division for much of the race before making progress on the final mile where he chased the leaders until going second at the penultimate fence and rallied well on the run-in to take the runner-up spot in a race that clocked the quickest time of the day which was 16 seconds faster than the day’s average. The Derek O’Connor ridden runner-up is from the family of the former three-time Cheltenham Festival winner Inglis Drever. Having pulled clear 12 lengths clear of his nearest rival, Faustinovick has shown himself to be a decent youngster that is bred to develop into a smart sort on the track and could have a lot to offer to new connections.

P2P.ie Review: Hill Sixteen made his debut a winning one when he took his five-year-old geldings’ maiden at Dromahane. Ridden close to pace throughout, the son of Court Cave tracked the leaders over the final half mile where he pulled through to lead on the inner at the final fence and showed a good turn of foot to quicken away from his rivals well on the run-in to go and score by a length for the Colin Bowe yard. One of seven newcomers in the line-up, Hill Sixteen is from a track winning family which includes the Hennessy Gold Cup winner Ever Blessed. Hill Sixteen showed a likable attitude and looks like a horse that could be a real money spinner for his new connections.

P2P.ie Review: Destinys Choice took the five-year-old-and-upwards mares’ maiden at Lismore in March on what was her second start between the flags. The daughter of Dubai Destination had one previous run where she stayed on well behind the impressive Lorvon Pearl to finish fifth at Templencarriga in December. Stepping up notably from that effort, Destinys Choice was ridden prominently throughout and travelled well over the final half mile where she progressed to take the lead after the penultimate fence to go on and win by a comfortable 12 lengths on what was testing ground conditions. Destinys Choice is a half-sister to three track winners as well as being from the family of the Grade two placed Bothair Clei and Grade three winner Morning Run and will be a real addition to any trainer’s yard in mares’ races over the coming seasons.

P2P.ie Review: Champagne Platinum made his debut a winning one when taking his four-year-old maiden at Quakerstown in April. Ridden behind the leaders for much of the race, the scopey son of Stowaway pulled through to lead on the run to the final fence which was bypassed where he stayed on well to go away from his rival to win by six lengths. Champagne Platinum is from the same handler who produced the Cheltenham festival bumper winner Champagne Fever to win at the same course. This smart gelding is a half-brother to two track winners and is also from the high class family of Saffron Cake and Saffron Lord. Given how he travelled with such ease into this event, Champagne Platinum highlighted himself as a very exciting sort that should be added to all serious short lists at the sales.

P2P.ie Review: Castletown Quary made his debut a winning one when he took his five-year-old-and-upwards geldings’ maiden at Horse and jockey in March. The scopey son of Scorpion was prominent early and having survived a bad mistake at the first fence, he took up the lead after a mile before being headed at the third last fence. Staying on strongly behind the two leaders on the run to the final fence, Castletown Quary got a good jump at the final obstacle and ran on well to line to secure a three length victory for the Andrew Slattery yard. One of five newcomers in the race, Castletown Quary is a half-sister to a dual bumper winner as well as being out of a half-sister to the high class Grade one winner, Back In Front and looks like a horse that could have a lot to offer for his new connections.

P2P.ie Review: Jilly The Jet heads to the sales following her debut success at Ballyarthur in March. Leading from flag-fall, the Donnchadh Doyle-trained mare was strongly challenged from the penultimate fence but responded well to pick up again and go away from her closet rival to win by an eased down two lengths in what was very testing ground conditions. The daughter of the ill-fated Jeremy is a half-sister to the six-time winner Laganbank as well as being from the same family as the former three-time Champion Hurdle winner See You Then. From a strong national hunt family, Jilly The Jet showed she is a sound stayer who also has a nice blend of speed which makes her an exciting mare that will be a real addition to any trainer’s yard in mares’ races over the coming seasons.

UK P2P Review: A graduate of the Goffs Land Rover Store Sale, this tall, good moving 5yo won the 3m Maiden at Hackwood Park on 11 March. Winning nicely from the ultra-consistent runner-up, the front pair were a further 5 lengths clear of the third placed horse & the son of Stowaway showed good progression from his debut second on his only other start to date. Out of a Bumper winning Milan own sister to the very useful hurdler, Garri Rua, he is sure to progress well under rules & fly the flag for British Point-to-Point graduates.  

P2P.ie Review: Legends Gold heads to the sales following her debut success at Moig South in a competitive four-year-old mares’ maiden. Tracking the leaders for most of the race, the Warren Ewing-trained mare progressed to lead approaching the third last fence and was strongly challenged on the run to the penultimate obstacle but found plenty under Derek O’Connor to go away from her rivals and win by six lengths. The daughter of Gold Well is out of a daughter of the Listed winning mare, Fu’s Island as well as being from the family of the Grade one winner, What A Friend and this exciting mare looks the sort that will be a real addition to any trainer’s yard in mares’ races over the coming seasons.

UK P2P Review: This good-looking mare has the size to go places, and after an emphatic maiden win against her own sex over two and a half miles at Brampton Bryan in Herefordshire she has shown talent, too. Taking up the running on the final bend she pulled clear of a fellow newcomer, a year-older rival from a leading stable, and won with ears pricked easing down. The dam has produced six winners, headed by Rons Dream, the easy winner of a handicap chase at Haydock Park recently, following up Listed-hurdle victories at Cheltenham and Warwick, but including Fistral Beach, who won three chases, including one at Listed level.

UK P2P Review: This well-made debutant showed a great attitude when winning at Brampton Bryan in Herefordshire on Saturday, taking up the running after half a mile on rain-soaked ground – and in the final race on the card – and leading his rivals from that point. On the final circuit he was harried by a seven-year-old with some eye-catching placed form against smart pointers, but he kept pulling out more, and eventually crossed the line 40 lengths ahead of that rival – the rest had pulled up, and the winning time was very respectable given the conditions. He is not the first successful racehorse by Kayf Tara out of a Be My Native mare – she was a half-sister to the smart Bunratty Castle, and has produced two other successful foals in addition to this horse. There is also a ruck of black-type winners under third dam Midnight Oil.

P2P.ie Review: Malone Road made an exciting debut at Loughanmore by taking his four-year-old maiden in the most impressive fashion.  Racing in mid-division until making steady progress from the final half mile, the athletic son of Kalanisi travelled well over the final few fences and pulled his way to the front at the last where he quickly gained a strong advantage to go away from his rivals and win by three and a half lengths. Given the injection of pace that was added to the closing part of the race, it is unsurprising to see that he produced the fastest time of the day which was twenty two seconds faster than the day’s average. The Stuart Crawford-trained gelding is out of the four-time hurdle winner Zaffarella and is also a half-brother to the dual bumper winners Windsor Avenue and Ravenhill Road. Malone Road is a high class addition to the catalogue who should be added to every serious short list.

P2P.ie Review: Minella Examiner ran a cracker when second on his debut in his five-year-old maiden at Ballynoe in March. One of seven newcomers in the line-up, the son of the exciting Beat Hollow was ridden in mid-division for much of the race before progressing to take up the lead at the third last fence. The John Nallen-trained runner was just headed on the run-in to finish a length behind the well-bred Speedy Buck who also shared the same sire. Out of the talented five-time winning and Grade three placed mare, Bold Fire, Minella Examiner is also from the family of the Listed winner Christel Flame. This smart gelding lost little in defeat and is a very likeable youngster with a lot to offer it seems.

P2P.ie Review: Little Light ran a cracker at Loughanmore when finishing second to the impressive Tara West in a competitive four-year-old mares’ maiden. The good looking daughter of Walk In The Park had one initial run at Horse And Jockey earlier in the month when she excited at the final fence having been just headed on the run the last. Building on the experience gained that day, the Denis Murphy-trained mare was never far from the leaders throughout and produced a strong challenge at the final fence where she landed in front. Little Light battled well to the line but had to settle for the runner-up spot a head behind the fast finishing Tara West. Little Light is a half-sister to five track winners in France as well as being from the family of Apple Tree and Pomology. Having now posted two strong runs, this well-bred mare lost little in defeat and looks to have the potential to develop into a smart track performer.

P2P.ie Review: Catch The Swallows made a very promising debut at Dromahane when finishing second to the smart Appreciate It who finished third on his debut to the impressive Envoi Allen on his initial start. The Gerard Kelleher-trained runner was prominent behind the leaders for much of the race where he progressed to take up the lead from the penultimate fence before making a notable jumping error at the final obstacle which allowed his closest rival to regain the lead and win by one and a half lengths. Catch The Swallows is out of a daughter of the dual Listed winner, Wasseema and is an exciting youngster that could develop into a smart track prospect with a lot to offer to new connections.

P2P.ie Review: Soldier At War made a very promising debut at Loughanmore when finishing second to the highly regarded Malone Road in a competitive four-year-old maiden. The Warren Ewing-trained runner led for much of the race and was only headed on the run to the final fence where he combined a good jump at the last which allowed him to regain the lead but had to settle for the runner-up spot by the fast finishing Malone Road in a time which was twenty two seconds faster than the days average. The eye-catching son of Soldier Hollow is out of the Listed placed Sang Sun and is a half-brother to the smart six-time winner, Sang Tiger. Soldier At War has highlighted himself as something special who can add further depth to this winning family for new connections.

P2P.ie review: Kensukes Kingdom stepped up from his debut run at Dromahane in November where he finished fourth to take the five-year-old geldings’ maiden at Tallow in February. Tracking the leader throughout, the son of Stowaway made a bad mistake when producing a challenge at the penultimate fence but maintained his position having stayed on gamely from the final fence to gain a deserved victory by eight lengths with a further six lengths back to the third horse. He is a half-brother to two track winners, as well as being from the family of the Group one winners Timarida and Muhaarar. Kensukes Kingdom looks the sort that will be in the winners’ enclosure again very soon and will provide plenty of entertainment for new connections.

UK P2P Review: Making his debut at Andoversford in Gloucestershire on Sunday, this athletic, good-looking son of Welsh National winner L’Aventure jumped superbly, led on the final circuit and pulled further clear on the uphill run to the line, but without being asked a serious question. He did so in the final race on the worst of the ground, watched by his owner/breeder, who has also bred two hurdling winners from the dam. Her finest hour came at Chepstow, but in addition to her six wins she was also placed in the Gr.1 Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase.