IN a race whose quality meant that it would quite easily have fitted in last weekend, Roseys Hollow marked herself out as one of the best novice hurdling mares in country in the Race Displays Solerina Mares Novice Hurdle.

The third Grade 3 winner of trainer Jonathan Sweeney’s career, this J.P. McManus-owned daughter of Beat Hollow won a maiden over this course and distance last month and lined up as an interesting contender.

However, pitted against her, to name just a couple, were the likes of Royal Kahala and Gauloise, and this looked a high-class edition of race whose recent roll of honour includes Honeysuckle, the Cheltenham winners Limini and Laurina as well as Shattered Love.

Roseys Hollow rose to this challenge in fine style though and appeared to win with something to spare under Mark Wash.

She eased through on the inner to strike the front before the second last and from this point onwards, she always looked to be doing enough to succeed. She reached the line with two lengths to spare over Royal Kahala while Gauloise was a further length and a half back.

“We were hopeful of a big run and she’s a mare that keeps stepping up,” said Sweeney. “She’s done it very well jumped well and you couldn’t have asked for any more. The good gallop today suited her well. We’ve just been taking it one race at a time with her and we’ll speak to Frank (Berry) and J.P. about where she goes now.”

Hogan winner

Denis Hogan rode his first winner in Ireland since electing to return to the saddle in December as Quarry Girl (9/2) won the maiden hurdle for horses who had never been placed.

This Hogan inmate, who was fifth to Roseys Hollow last time out, looked set to finish fourth at best early in the straight. She gathered herself for a strong rally in the closing stages and as the leader Living’s Boy An Co hung left in the closing stages, Quarry Girl landed in front on the line. Hogan trains the lightly raced six-year-old for his father, Martin.

The progressive Regina Dracones (5/2) made it two wins from three starts this season and defied a 9lb hike in the ratings for scoring here in December in the Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Hurdle over just short of three miles.

After making much of the running, Tom Gibney’s charge was joined by Young Dev early in the straight but she found plenty for James O’Sullivan to brush aside that one’s effort and succeed by seven lengths.

Gearoid Brouder picked up a two-day whip ban for his efforts on the third-placed Grey Habit.

Torrens grabs another

FRESH from a memorable weekend, Simon Torrens notched up another success for J.P. McManus as Weihnachts (9/2) bagged the Cavalor Equine Nutrition Handicap Chase over an extended two miles.

Philip Rothwell’s charge lined up as a 16-race maiden but had shown more than enough in the past to suggest that he could make his mark off a rating of 97 and he bolted up. He wasted no time stamping his authority on this race in between the last two fences and was eased right down to defeat Benefit North by three and a quarter lengths. He could now head to Gowran Park next weekend for a novice handicap chase.

Almost two years to the day after he recorded the only previous victory of his career, which came at this track, the Paul Stafford-trained Dubai Devils justified 9/2 favouritism in the 0-109 rated handicap chase over an extended three miles.

The Kitty Skelly-owned gelding raced up with the pace for Paddy O’Hanlon from the outset and then powered away from his rivals in the straight to finish 18 lengths clear.

FRESH from his incredible tour de force at the Dublin Racing Festival, Willie Mullins continued his tremendous form into this fixture as M C Muldoon won the first division of the maiden hurdle over two miles.

This Jackie Mullins-owned gelding was a very useful sort on the flat in Britain and built on a promising debut over hurdles at Christmas when he was fourth to Wide Receiver.

Patrick Mullins eased the 8/15 favourite to the front with two to jump and everything looked to be going smoothly at that point. M C Muldoon did give his supporters a scare when getting the last all wrong and, as a result, hampering Whowonthetoss.

He righted himself though to prevail by three-parts of a length and, as expected, he also survived the ensuing enquiry.

“He’s a horse that should improve for nicer ground and we’ll mix it between the flat and jumps. I think he’ll improve as he gets his jumping together,” remarked Mullins.

Mullins also supplied the favourite, Grand Bornand, in the second division of the maiden hurdle but he had to settle for second behind Gordon Elliott’s Grand Paradis.

The 7/2 chance won a bumper on his debut at this track and was showing substantial improvement on his fourth to On Eagles Wings on his first start over hurdles at Naas last month.

Jack Kennedy’s mount picked up smartly coming away from two out to open up a good advantage over the market leader and he kept on strongly to prevail by nine lengths.

“I’d say he’s improved plenty for his first run over hurdles at Naas,” reported Elliott whose charge is owned by Andrew and Gemma Brown.

“He’ll get further and he’ll make a lovely chaser for next season. I’d say we will keep him at home for the likes of Fairyhouse and Punchestown.”

Joseph O’Brien, who was also among the winners last weekend, registered a one-two in the Sobac Soil.ie Beginners Chase as the Rachael Blackmore-ridden Choungaya (2/1) accounted for fellow Gigginstown House Stud-owned runner Fakir.

The 134-rated winner came to the last locked in combat with Avellino, who was returning from over a year off, and a bad mistake at that obstacle by the latter handed the initiative to Choungaya who went on to come home a length to the good.