FAD Eadrainn booked his ticket for the Punchestown Festival when landing odds of 1/3 with some ease in the Botanica International Maiden Hurdle.

The Pat Foley-trained gelding, successful in a bumper here last spring and runner-up last time in a Navan maiden hurdle that has worked out well since, had his task eased when 3/1 chance Hello Jack was withdrawn (lame) at the start. Simon Torrens’ mount travelled well to lead before two out and, despite a slight mistake at the last, kept on well to beat Polemon by an easy 10 lengths.

“His jumping wasn’t his best today, and I think a truly run race would suit him better. It was his first time over two and a half miles and we always thought he would get it, but you don’t know until you try,” said Foley.

“If he’s okay after today’s race, we’ll give him an entry in the two ‘winners of one’ at Punchestown and he’s going chasing next season. It’s just a pity the owners, Richard and Suzanne Kennedy, couldn’t be here. They are in Manchester, but I’m sure they were looking in and got a good kick out of it.”

Dramatic

Just six went to post for the Easter At Clonmel Races Maiden Hurdle, but there was no shortage of drama with the field reduced to four after No Knee Never refused to race and Harpy Eagle unseated his rider at the first.

Daniel King lost his irons after the saddle slipped on the front-running Autumn Twist around halfway and was headed by fellow evens joint-favourite Raydamann at the second last.

The latter went on to record an easy four and a quarter lengths victory over his chief market rival.

“I made the running on him the first day in Navan and he got a bit keen, so I wanted to keep him covered up for as long as I could. He’s a good jumper and just made one little mistake, which was probably more my fault than his.

“He appreciated that good ground today and hopefully can keep improving,” said rider Sam Ewing of the Sea The Stars gelding, who is trained by Gordon Elliott for Ray Stokes.

LOCAL trainer Eric Larkin bridged a gap of two years without a winner when Tippinaway recorded a 20/1 surprise in the Knocklofty Maiden Hurdle with Richie Deegan’s mount leading on the run-in and just holding the challenge of Glenmore River by a nose.

“He was raw and green on his first couple of runs, but is a lovely horse that is learning all the time. I think he’ll be better for a bit of distance – all the family want further,” said Larkin, who also bred the Doyen gelding that carries the colours of his wife Gabrielle. “I’m delighted to get a winner as I’ve been hitting the crossbar for the last couple of years. I’ve only three in at the moment and they are all my own.”

Smiling

Glenmore River’s trainer and rider, Sam Curling and Phillip Enright, also had to settle for the runner-up spot in the Botanica International Mares’ Handicap Hurdle where topweight Queenofthelodge played second fiddle to You Make Me Smile. The 10/1 winner asserted on the run-in under Harry Sexton to score by a comfortable two and three-quarter lengths.

“She nearly got brought down the last day in Naas before staying on well. Sometimes with fillies you only get one chance with them, but she held her form which is great.

“She’s well-handicapped on the Flat and I always thought that is where she would do well,” said trainer Pat Fahy.

“She’s owned by my nephew Alan along with Trevor and Ryan Hennessy from Sligo.”

CONOR Moore partnered his first winner under rules as Pottersville made an impressive debut in the Happy Easter To All Our Patrons INH Flat Race.

The Richie O’Keeffe-trained daughter of Ocovango led off the home turn and took control from over a furlong out to beat Astley by eight lengths at odds of 14/1. Astley’s rider Robert Guiney was given a 10-day ban for his use of the whip in the closing stages.

“I’ve had 13 point-to-point winners and that’s my first on the track. I wouldn’t be on the track too often,” said the Lingstown rider.

“The plan was to go point-to-pointing with her, but she ran in a schooling bumper at Monksgrange three weeks ago with some of Henry de Bromhead’s Aintree horses and we decided to take our chance in a bumper.

“I ride out for Johnny and Mikey Fogarty in the mornings and have eight on the go at home as well.”

Party time

Party President provided Adam Leahy with his first winner at Naas earlier this month and the amateur rider/owner enjoyed further success when the 9/2 shot led early in the straight and kept on strongly on the run-in to beat Old Kenmare by two lengths in the Thank You To Dr John Downey Handicap Hurdle.

“He’s a little bit excitable and has a lot of growing up to do, but is an improving horse. Maybe we’ll look at Killarney or let him off for a month as he’s done a lot in a short time,” said winning trainer Tony Mullins. “I’d be looking forward to him as a chaser. This lad jumps a fence well.”

A presentation was made in the parade ring to Dr Downey, accompanied by a large group of family and friends, to mark his many years of service with the Turf Club and IHRB.