TRAINER Henry de Bromhead won Killarney’s two biggest flat races of the year last Friday evening. Andrew Slattery enjoyed a first success for the stable when initiating the brace in the featured Listed Irish EBF Vincent O’Brien Ruby Stakes on Thalara (6/1).

Making most of the running, the filly held on well in the closing stages to score by two and three quarter lengths from Duckadilly (5/1).

Slattery said: “Henry is very straightforward to ride for as you can generally go forward. I rode her the last day, in Navan, and thanks to Mr de Bromhead and the owners (Marianne Klay) for putting me back up today.

“I think they just gave her a break in between and she was the pick of the (parade) ring. She’s big, she’s strong and is on the way up. I was comfortable all the way and she picked up well and gave me quite a job to pull her up, which is always a good sign.”

Hassett makes all

Chutzpal gave the leading jumps trainer a big-race double when winning the Kellihers Toyota Kingdom Gold Cup Handicap. Making all under Wayne Hassett, the 6/1 chance stayed on well to win by a length and a half from Pino Gris (4/1).

Regarding the Pimlico Racing Ireland-owned winner, de Bromhead’s assistant Robbie Power reported: “Chutzpal was lucky to get in from that rating (70) and has won a good pot today.

“Things didn’t work out for him in a Racing League race at Wolverhampton the last day, but Wayne kept it simple today, and the horse had won here over course and distance last year. He stuck his head down and wasn’t for passing. He has won over hurdles too, so he can do both.”

JESSICA Harrington was another trainer to enjoy a double on the evening. Vega’s Muse recorded the first success of her career when staying on strongly under Shane Foley to win the Gain The Advantage Series Handicap.

Coming through to lead over a furlong out, the M.J. Drapac-owned 5/1 favourite stayed on well to beat No Such Thing by three and three quarter lengths.

Assistant trainer Kate Harrington said: “Things didn’t happen for her at Galway where she didn’t handle the track. She kept finishing placed so had been frustrating, but we thought a lot of her last year, when her maiden form was very good.

“Things went wrong afterwards, she got sore shins and her head went a little bit, but we have her back now and she is really doing things right. I hope this is a step in the right direction and hopefully she can keep progressing.”

Gangster’s paradise

Gangster Granny brought up the brace for Harrington when getting up close home under Keithen Kennedy to win the Killarney Welcomes Bordeaux Racecourse Apprentice Handicap.

Sent off a well-backed 6/1 (from 25/1) chance, the filly tracked the pace throughout, before being pushed along to go third entering the straight. Soon ridden to challenge, the four-year-old kept on strongly to beat Atheneum a short-head.

Kate Harrington said: “The step up in trip and the nice ground really suited her and she had blinkers on too. Keithen gave her a great ride, things went right and he landed her nicely on the line. I think everyone knows whom the filly is named after (Mrs Harrington), and stepping her up to two miles would suit too. We’ll look at the Ulster Cesarewitch now.”

Gangster Granny carried the colours of Jessica Harrington’s son-in-law Richie Galway.

Popular with punters

The Dermot Weld-trained Sujet landed some tidy bets when staying on well under Colin Keane to win the Cumnor Rated Race. Available at 3/1 in the morning, the Juddmonte-owned gelding was popular with punters, supported at all rates down to 5/4 favourite.

Ridden to challenge leader Sunriseontheboyne over a furlong out, the winner led close home to score by a neck.

Keane reported: “I think his Galway defeat was more ground-related and Chris (Hayes) felt the ground was slower than described. He isn’t overly big and has a real low action and prefers a nicer surface.

“Saying that, it is plenty safe this evening and is as slow as he’d like it.

“I’m sure connections will have ideas on where to go next, but Champions Weekend could be a possibility.”

AIDAN O’Brien bookended the card with a brace of winners. Extravagant gave weight and a beating to his rivals when running out a game winner of the opening Irish Stallion Farms EBF Nursery Handicap.

Always prominent under Jack Cleary, the 5/1 chance was ridden to head leader Bellamano over a furlong from home. Staying on strongly inside the final furlong, the D Smith, Mrs J Magnier, M Tabor, Westerberg-owned colt scored by a length and a half.

Stable representative Chris Armstrong reported: “After his last run, Ryan (Moore, jockey) said to step him up in trip and going a mile suited him. He had the rating and Jack gave him a lovely ride.

“He travelled around nicely and, when he asked him, he went away and he said he galloped out strongly through the line. He is by the right sire, we’ll keep progressing through this grade and maybe look at the mile premier nursery in Listowel next.”

Paddy beats Patrick

O’Brien and Paddy Smullen teamed up with Mon St Michel to land the concluding HR Buddy (Q.R.) Race. Tracking the pace throughout, the 11/4 chance quickened up smartly close home to beat Sorrentino half a length.

Smullen said: “That was really good and being so focussed on winning, it was only after pulling up that I realised I had beaten Patrick Mullins. He said well done to me, so it was very nice and that’s my second winner.

“I haven’t ever ridden out in Ballydoyle, so I’d like to thank Aidan and the whole Moyglare (owners) team, who didn’t have to give me the ride and thankfully it has worked out.

“The ride came about as I was talking with Fiona Craig (of Moyglare Stud) and Mr Weld about looking for horses to ride in amateur races and she said this one.”