BIRTHDAY boy Ciaran Murphy had more reason for cheer when registering his first ever treble at Kilbeggan last Saturday night.
The Mullingar handler, who had turned 50 during the week, missed the milestone as he was abroad but was sure to be watching on from afar.
It was a quick brace for the yard as Eoghan Finegan landed the first two events for Charlestown Racing.
Facile Ocean got a deserved victory in the opening Well Of Moate Maiden Hurdle after three placed efforts at the venue.
The 2/1 joint-favourite made all in the two-miler and stayed on strongly in the closing stages to post a 14-length success over First Ascent.
“He got left alone and I think it was a big plus,” said Finegan afterwards. “He can be very hot before a race but today he didn’t sweat up or anything and it went very smoothly.
“He’s quirky but today we got everything right. It’s brilliant to get it here at our local track for Sheila (Gavin, owner).”
Convincing success
Half an hour later Convincing employed contrasting tactics when coming late to land the Kieran Kelly Memorial Handicap Hurdle.
Finegan got a good response from the 8/1 shot in the closing stages to get up and grab Blue Reed by a neck.
“He was a little bit lazy throughout and I was just cautious of it as I wanted to keep him up on the bridle for as long as I could,” said Finegan.
“He winged hurdles and was good and tough to the line. I’d say you could even step him up in trip.
“He was disappointing, we thought we’d have won one on the flat before now. Hopefully a hurdle will just bring him to life.” On his boss turning 50 he added: “He’ll have a good party tonight anyway!”
Completing the hat-trick
The treble was completed when Anodandawink justified his short price in the Smiddys Pub Mullingar Handicap Chase.
Peter Smithers gave the 6/5 shot a confident ride as he made all for a cosy four-length success over Kings Jet.
His mount had his three rivals hard at work before the last fence and the J.P. McMcManus-owned gelding went on to post a four-length success over Kings Jet.
The trainer’s brother, and assistant, Aaron said afterwards: “It’s a super achievement and especially to do it here at home in Kilbeggan, it means even more to us – to be able to come with three runners and have three winners this evening. We came with three live chances and they all clicked.”
ROCKY’S Diamond left recent form behind when bouncing back to winning ways in the Joe Cooney Memorial Hurdle for trainer Declan Queally and owner Mrs Margaret C Kiely.
The former Grade 2 winner had been pulled up in the Galway Plate 10 days ago but went to post a 10/11 shot in the three-mile-one contest.
Michael Kenneally’s mount made all and found plenty when tackled by 50/1 shot Rememberwhat going to the last, securing a length-and-a-quarter success. Drumgill finished a close third.
“He jumped the first couple big. I was on to Dec (Queally Jnr) during the week and he said he had schooled him over hurdles and he was electric. As the race went on he was a lot better,” said Kenneally.
Hands and heels
“The run in the Plate was very below par, we knew that ourselves. We came here today expecting that he would do what he did. I wasn’t hard on him, it was hands and heels away to the line. He was good.”
Cooladdi had also made every post a winning one in the previous Bernard Kenny Maiden Hurdle.
Kieren Buckley’s mount answered gamely when tackled by Tyson Fury at the last flight. The well-backed 2/1 shot found plenty on the run-in to score by two and a quarter lengths.
Conor Maxwell, who trains the winner for Michael Kiernan, said afterwards: “That was nice, he’s been promising to do that. He’s no superstar but he’s tough. Hopefully we can progress and he’ll be a nice horse over fences.”
THE Philip Rothwell-trained Confidence Within went to post a 10/1 shot on his racecourse bow in the concluding Connellan & Noone Solicitors Flat Race but proved a different class to his rivals.
The Jet Away gelding took a keen hold under Phidelma Elvin before leading half a mile from home.
When asked for an effort passing the two-pole he quickly opened up, sprinting away to secure a comprehensive nine-and-a-half-length success.
“Usually I’m blowing after riding a winner from trying to ride a finish but today I’m blowing because I had to try and hold him for a mile and a half,” said Elvin.
“I was counting down to that four furlong pole so I could let him go. When I slipped him an inch of rein wasn’t he very good! I didn’t know he had those gears. The turn of foot off the bend, I couldn’t believe it.” Bred by Arctic Tack Stud, the winner is owned by Rothwell.
Off the mark
The John McConnell-trained Rexem opened his account over fences when staying on stoutly at the business end to land the Kepak Handicap Chase.
He chased down Jasko Des Dames on the run-in to get up close home for a half-length victory, under Josh Williamson.
McConnell said of the Derek Kierans-owned 7/2 winner: “He deserved it. He was a very unlucky loser here two runs ago and ran very well in the ‘Blazers’ at Galway. He ran on Friday last and he rode out yesterday. I was fairly happy he was going to be fresh enough. Josh was very good on him and I’m delighted.”