WESTERN Fold completed a hat-trick for Gordon Elliott in the McHale Mayo National at Ballinrobe on Monday night. The Cullentra handler had bagged the last two runnings of the €100,000 contest and Danny Gilligan, who partnered Tullybeg to success in 2023, enjoyed another big day at the western venue.

Western Fold was prominent throughout in the two-mile, seven-furlong event and went on from Drumgill in the closing stages to post a convincing four-length success.

The Westerner gelding was following up on a beginners chase success earlier this month and Gilligan said afterwards: “He seemed to jump them into the ground there, he’s just so quick.

“It probably took him a while to figure it out, but he’s starting to put his head to it now and I loved the way he hit the line and jumped from fence to fence. He seems to be still progressing as well, that seemed like a step up from Tipperary.

“The nicer ground doesn’t seem an issue and, fingers crossed, he can progress another little bit. Hopefully, I keep the ride on him and I won’t be complaining if I see my name next to him in Galway!”

Gilligan and Elliott had also combined earlier on the card with Winning Smut in the McHale Fusion 4 Range Maiden Hurdle. The Yeats gelding went off 7/4 favourite on his first outing for the yard and led before the last for a comprehensive four-and-three-quarter length win.

Gilligan, in the colours of Denis Reddan, said: “It went smoothly enough. He’s a nice horse and he won well, so fingers crossed he can step up from that again.”

Easy for Evans

Noel Meade was delighted to see the consistent Jesse Evans enjoy an easy success in the opening McHale Pro Glide Hurdle. The So You Think gelding had been third in Grade 1 company on his penultimate outing at Punchestown and went off an 85/40 shot on his return to hurdling.

Donagh Meyler gave Jack Singleton’s charge a confident ride, leading after the second last for an easy 12-length victory.

“He was well in at the weights. My only little worry with him was that we were coming back from fences and it was quick enough too since Killarney,” said Meade.

“I’m delighted for him because he’s after having a couple of tough races. It’s lovely to get an easy one like that.

“He’ll probably go back to Galway but he won’t go for the Hurdle and I don’t think he’ll go for the Plate either, as I think it’s too far for him and he’s gone up in the weights as well. The Grimes Hurdle in Tipperary might be worth looking at. He’s a lovely horse.”

IT also proved very straightforward for Westport Cove in the McHale Tiger Roll Beginners Chase, as he made all for an effortless success. The Willie Mullins-trained gelding stretched clear for Paul Townend from the last to post a cosy five-and-a-half length win at odds of 6/5.

“He got away on the front end, he jumps brilliantly, and took his breathers when he needed them,” said Townend of Cathal Hughes’ gelding.

“When he heard them coming at the third last, he latched on to the fence and a huge jump probably settled it. He handled the ground nicely. He has a lot of experience now and hopefully he can make that count for a while.”

Digby doubles up

The Dermot McLoughlin-trained Digby has hit a rich vein of form and followed up on a win at Bangor last month, when claiming the McHale Mayo Handicap Hurdle in fine style.

Paddy O’Brien led two from home on Alan Smith’s gelding and he galloped on strongly in the closing stages to beat Jolie Jewel by a length and a half.

“He did the job well. I think he’s a much happier horse when he’s able to travel like that in front and dictate,” said McLoughlin.

“He said he was doing a half speed everywhere and he was always happy. He travelled and galloped away. He said when he met the rising ground he took off with him again, so it was great. It was a nice pot as well.”

ANOTHER 10-year-old to shine on the card was the Liz Doyle-trained Flash De Touzaine in the McHale F5 Range Veterans’ Handicap Chase.

Justin Carthy’s gelding was to the fore throughout in the two-mile, three-furlong contest and the 13/2 shot stayed on best from the last to beat Sargent Lightfoot by a length, under jockey Donagh Meyler.

“I took a chance on the trip because I just wanted to run against more exposed horses. He’s not slow, but we just about got away with the trip,” said Doyle.

“He jumped great and Donagh gets on well with him. He hasn’t got much mileage for a veteran and I thought it was the race for him.”

Eye-catching

Caman Hill attracted support from fancy prices in the concluding McHale Orbital INH Flat Race and quickened away to run out an impressive winner for Cashel handler Una Corcoran.

Pa King’s mount cruised into the lead two furlongs from home and the 12/1 shot was sent clear turning for home to record a comprehensive nine-length success. “He’s a lovely horse. I’ve sat on him a couple of times and you’d love everything he does,” said King.

“He’s a brilliant horse over a fence too, but we just didn’t get there in time for a point-to-point. We expected a big run today, but to go out and do what he did is great. He’s a gorgeous horse.”