GANGSTER Granny ended a lean spell for local trainer Colin McBratney with a storming finish in the Road Stud Installations Handicap Hurdle over an extended two miles and five furlongs.

Sean Flanagan came in for the ride on the first reserve, who got a run when Justicialism was ruled out due to coughing.

The 33/1 outsider tracked the leaders and was looking for room behind runners between the final two flights.

From fourth after the last, she climbed the hill well and improved into second in the final stages.

Flanagan then drove her on to catch Annarubyrose close home for a length-and-a-quarter success.

McBratney said: “Horses maybe just weren’t good enough and you just have to ride the tide. Good owners, and James (Murdoch) is a wild loyal owner and a good friend of mine.

“Sean gave her a fantastic ride. He said he couldn’t get out and he said that it was actually a good thing, because he knew when she did get out, she was going to hit top gear.”

Pillar to post

Coco’s Legacy was an all-the-way winner of the Joe Rea Memorial Mares Flat Race in Mrs John Raymond Eastwood’s silks.

Oran McGill asked her to go and win her race inside the final quarter of a mile, and she kept on well at the business end to beat Kisuton Enki by three and a quarter lengths at 8/1.

“John Eastwood died more than a year ago and his dad was Raymie Eastwood. John bred this one and obviously the family are delighted,” trainer Paul Flynn said.

“I said if no-one wanted to make it, you can make it and, if someone is making it, you can follow them. I just left it up to him, so he is obviously a good judge of pace.”

Calmer waters

Roc Dino availed of a significant drop in class to easily land the Randox Maiden Hurdle for Willie Mullins and Hollywood Racing/Barnane Stud.

Paul Townend set out to make all on the 1/8 favourite and, although they were joined three out by Hawk’s Rock and indeed headed by that rival at the next, they regained the lead entering the straight and glided away to score by nine lengths over Loch Cuan.

Townend said: “Much calmer waters than the last couple of times I was on his back and on his last run. It was straightforward - kept it very simple, handled the track well enough and handled the ground nicely. Nice performance.

“He had loads of work (jumping) done. He was idle actually at a few in front and, when we had company, there was always a big jump in there.”

ENDLESS Talking (5/6 favourite) was dominant off the front in the SIS Supporting Irish Racing Maiden Hurdle over an extended two and a quarter miles.

Keith Donoghue’s mount moved some 15 lengths clear halfway and, although the gap was reduced after the penultimate obstacle, he readily galloped away after the last to come in by a whopping 20 lengths for owner Dominic Kearns.

Gavin Cromwell said: “He actually settled lovely in front and had a good look at his hurdles. Jumped well, jumped a bit big everywhere, but he had plenty of time to get a good breather into him.”

No Doubt for Donoghue

Sea Of Doubt (4/1) made the breakthrough with a five-length success in the Angie Orr Still Celebrating Her 70th Birthday Mares Handicap Hurdle.

The six-year-old was never far from the pace under Josh Williamson, who produced her with a challenge after the last. She got the measure of Mercurial Sea in the closing stages and won going away for owner Dan Cleere.

Ian Donoghue said: “She had plenty of good runs without winning. She would either be too keen or jump badly, whereas she put it all together today.

“Josh said they went a real good gallop, and he always knew he was going to get there. He gave her a great ride. He is well worth it (5lb claim) and he is in with us every Monday the last six months or more.”

FINNIANS Row may have been a surprise 28/1 winner of the Peter Fitzpatrick & Sons Estate Agents and Chartered Surveyors Handicap Steeplechase, but there was no fluke about the way he put his rivals to the sword.

First-time blinkers were deployed by Dermot McLoughlin and Liam McKenna sent Finnians Row into an early lead at the first flight.

The 10-year-old gelding was clear halfway and, although his rivals saw a chance when he was pushed along after two out, he strode home in good style to strike by 11 lengths in the colours of Anne McCartan and Frances Smyth.

McLoughlin said: “We just changed the headgear as he seemed to lose a bit of interest, so we just said we would put them (blinkers) on him. He got a lead and utilised it and kept going.”

Front runner

Dinoland (11/2) was another prominent racer to prevail on the card when he claimed the Remembering Caughoo Handicap Steeplechase for owners Nigel O’Hare, J. Mackle, Mark Devlin and Philip Smith. Sam Ewing had him at the head of affairs from flagfall.

They were headed at the third flight, but regained the initiative six out.

They made the best way home and powered up the hill for an eight-and-a-half-length victory.

Ross Crawford said: “You know this place, it can be horses for courses.

“To be fair, the owners were telling me he ran well here before and they were keen to come back here.

“That’s his third run now (for the stable) and hopefully we are finding the buttons on him.”