THE Tote Killarney National Handicap Chase was the feature on day one of the May meeting at the Kerry track and trainer Enda Bolger landed the prize for the fourth time in the last 10 renewals with Pride Of Place (11/2).

In this test of stamina over three miles, two furlongs, the J.P. McManus-owned winner was ridden in fourth with plenty to do entering the straight, but came through under Charlie O’Dwyer to lead on the approach to the last and beat Caesar Rock by eight and a half lengths.

“Charlie knows him well and won on him last year in Tipperary. The horse had a nice blow-out in the charity race at Punchestown last week, where he was ridden by Kate O’Leary, who works with us,” reported Bolger.

“He jumped well and loves that trip. Charlie is with me every Monday and it was a clever ride today, as he did everything that was asked of him.”

The victory of Sainte Lucie (evens-favourite) in the Listed MD O’Shea’s Tourist Attraction Mares Hurdle was the centrepiece of a treble for Willie Mullins.

In pursuit

Mrs Susannah Ricci’s five-year-old initially raced prominently, but having dropped off the pace at the fourth last, went in pursuit of clear leader Break By Soul at the second last and ultimately scored easily by 11 lengths.

“She was coming back in trip, but I’d say she will be going back out again as I wasn’t able to go the gallop,” said rider Paul Townend. “I thought the others were gone, but she stayed galloping. We thought a lot of her as a juvenile and she is only now starting to put it together.”

Winning debut

A three-time flat winner for Marco Botti and having his first start since last June, Magico (2/1 favourite) made a winning debut over jumps for Mullins in the Mongey Communications Maiden Hurdle over two miles, one furlong.

The five-year-old son of Le Havre got a bit sloppy over the obstacles as the race went on, but stayed on well to account for Tyson Fury by four lengths.

Winning rider Paul Townend commented: “He took on the first hurdle and jumped it really well, but got in tight to the second and rattled it, so afterwards he was cautious.

“He will have to sharpen up his jumping, although he has a good jump in him.

“The owners (football agent David Manasseh and his wife Adriana) came for a good day out, and I think he will be a fun dual-purpose horse for them.”

THE 9/4 favourite Linford made a winning debut and completed the Mullins treble in the Hugh Mulryan Memorial (Pro/Am) Flat Race over two miles, one furlong.

Patrick Mullins charted a wide passage on Dr Peter FitzGerald’s Masked Marvel gelding, who went on entering the straight to post a 10-length victory over Night Chaperone.

“It is very poignant to win Hugh Mulryan’s first memorial race and I would have known him through my cousin Emmet Mullins,” said the winning rider.

“I actually bid against Hugh for Cousin Kate (Dublin Racing Festival winner) and he won that one. It is very special to win this and his whole family are here too, which is nice.

“Linford is only 15.3hh. We were pleasantly surprised with how he won and he is obviously better on the track. He’ll win plenty of races, I think. He is a home-bred, so it is nice for the FitzGeralds.”

North Shore landed odds of 4/6 in the Killarney Avenue Hotel Maiden Hurdle over two miles and one furlong.

Keith Donoghue’s mount pulled clear with market rival Portnahapple from the second last and defeated that rival by a length and a half.

Troy Cullen, assistant to winning trainer Gavin Cromwell, said: “Keith said he won well in the end, I’d say the runner-up is a good horse and they finished 19 lengths clear.

“I’m delighted for the owners, Owen Daley, who is here today, and Richard Fleming. Owen left at 2am to get here from Wolverhampton, so it is great it worked out.”

ON his first start since November, the Gerry Keane-trained Ragmans Corner (9/1) recorded a fourth win over flights in the Kelly Bros Handicap Hurdle over two miles, one furlong.

The Kalanisi gelding came through after the last to beat Impero by two and a quarter lengths.

“He is settling better in his races and I think he will stay two miles, four furlongs no problem,” said jockey Eoghan Finegan.

“The boys (Wet Room Syndicate) are only over the road from me at home, so this is great.”

Henry de Bromhead’s Miss Doyenne (3/1) added to her impressive tally of success when landing the Donie Sheahan Memorial Irish EBF Mares Beginners Chase.

Owned by Walter O’Connor’s Envirogreen Housing Services Ltd, the six-year-old won a point-to-point and a bumper last year and was victorious in a Down Royal maiden hurdle on her previous outing.

Here, over two miles, five furlongs, she hit the front on the approach to two out and held the rallying Affinity Rock by half a length.

Jumped well

Rider Mike O’Connor explained: “She jumped really well and was straightforward and game. It is nice riding Henry’s horses, as it is point-and-go really.”

Butch Cassidy (6/4 favourite) had earlier initiated a double for de Bromhead when making all to beat De Capo Glory by nine lengths in the Gerard O’Sullivan Memorial Novice Chase over two miles, seven furlongs.

“I thought it was great placing by Henry as the beginners’ chases are so hot these days,” said rider Brian Hayes.

“He had previously backed off his fences, but enjoyed it today. Maybe that nicer ground is the key to him.”

The half-brother to Champion Bumper winner Fayonagh is owned by Sue Magnier.