THERE were a couple of firsts during the week, starting on Monday at Naas where Liam Lennon saddled his first winner on the flat.

Ridden by Seamie Heffernan, Haqeeba was having her ninth start for the Newry trainer, having been previously in the care of Dermot Weld. The now three-year-old Haatef filly was knocked down to Contract Flood Coverings for just €2,000 at Goresbridge last October.

At Sligo on Wednesday, Tyrone-born but Donegal-based Jason Cairns sent out his first winner on the track when Jeremys Joy landed the 10 furlong handicap in the hands of Robbie Downey.

The four-year-old Jeremy filly is owned by Joe O’Brien, for whom she also won handicaps at Leopardstown in April, when trained by Emmet Butterly, and at Ballinrobe in July last year when in the care of Charles Moore.