ERIC McNamara registered an across the card treble on Thursday with the trainer scoring twice at Killarney to add to an earlier Leopardstown winner.

Flat juvenile debutant Solomon Islands began McNamara’s haul by winning at Leopardstown and, at Killarney, the trainer won with a pair of handicap chasers, Hees Dynamite and Embittered.

The John Earls-owned Hees Dynamite (returned 3/1 favourite) began by landing the Brehon Hotel & Spa Handicap Chase, under Gary Noonan. The seven-year-old raced prominently, led after the fourth-last and scored by two and a half lengths from Pride Of Place.

The Grade 1-winning trainer reported: “The biggest concern was with his jumping but, from the outset, Gary got him into a lovely rhythm and the horse jumped super. He won well. He stays three miles, so there are options to go up in trip.”

Half an hour later, McNamara’s 11-year-old Embittered (14/1) landed the Gallivan Financial Handicap Chase, for owner Tadhg Moynihan and jockey Sean Flanagan.

Flanagan moved Embittered to lead before the final fence and scored readily by nine and a half lengths from Prince Of Air.

McNamara commented: “The handicapper has been dropping him a few pounds and, for one reason or another, he was really switched on tonight. The plan was to be handy all the way and Sean gave him a super ride.

“He’ll go now to Listowel. Tadhg Moynihan lives in Madeira and flew in to see him today. He loves the Kerry air!”

McNAMARA’S fellow Limerick trainer Charles Byrnes landed the featured GMIB Handicap Hurdle with Spy (9/2), which provided jockey Alex Harvey with the second leg of a double.

Spy, who races in the colours of the With My Little Eye Syndicate, initially raced mid-field and, later, was left in front by the fall of Miss Fourie at the third last, to eventually score by two and three-quarter lengths from Come On The Lads.

Byrnes said: “He was in off a nice weight and the watered ground is a plus to him at this stage. Alex gave him a beautiful ride and was probably lucky he wasn’t brought down (by Miss Fourie), but our horse looked to have them all covered at the time.

“It is great for the owners who have stuck with him and have just rewards.”

Wonderful double

Harvey had earlier steered easy winner Wonderwonderful (11/4 joint-favourite) to land the opening Thorn Plant Hire 3-Y-O Maiden Hurdle for trainer John McConnell and owners Rockview Stables.

Wonderwonderful led from the fifth hurdle and was clear of Whats New when that rival fell at the final flight, with 10 lengths separating the winner from runner-up Urgent Whisper at the line.

Harvey said: “She is a really likeable filly and was probably the classiest horse in the race, although lacked a previous run over hurdles. Her mind is her biggest asset, was so straightforward, and it was a very easy job for me.

“It was a big ask coming here without doing a grass gallop, but she was very good. She should improve again and is a nice filly.”

Kerry connections

The Sam Maguire Cup and Kerry captain Gavin White were welcome visitors in the winner’s enclosure for the success of What’s Up Darling (9/4) in the Peadar’s Pub Glenbeigh Beginners Chase.

Ridden by Kerry’s own champion jockey Jack Kennedy, What’s Up Darling appeared out-paced for much of the contest but rallied to lead from the second last and scored in the manner of a strong stayer, when beating Antrim Coast by seven and a half lengths.

Regarding the Gigginstown House Stud-owned winner, successful trainer Gordon Elliott reported: “I thought the horse was in trouble at one stage, but Jack gave him a great ride and I’m delighted. I’d say he wants a trip and he’ll be aimed at all those long-distance races.

“It is great to see Sam Maguire here along with Gavin (White, Kerry captain), and what a man he is, so it is great to be here and to win this race.”

TRAINER Paul O’Flynn got his own hands on the Sam Maguire back in 2010 when winning an All-Ireland with Cork and today his A Nod To Getaway (5/2 favourite) landed the Bunkers Killorglin 40th Birthday Handicap Chase under Darragh O’Keeffe.

The winner tracked the leaders and went clear of his rivals from the second last, scoring by nine lengths from Zolpharine.

Regarding the Denis Gould-owned winner, O’Flynn commented: “If he jumped better in Wexford the last day, he could possibly have won (fourth) and we thought he improved from that run.

“Darragh is Darragh and is good. He goes everywhere and comes and helps me out when he can too. Any time he is around, he’ll give a hand and is very good that way.

“I saw the Sam Maguire here earlier today and my old manager Conor Counihan as well, so it was great. Cork (footballers) are on a slow road back, but are on the right road, so maybe we’ll meet again in another few years.”

Keeping up with the Mullins’

Champion trainer Willie Mullins and champion jockey Paul Townend combined to win the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Novice Hurdle with the Donald Galt-owned Keep Up (15/8 favourite), which made all and overcame an error at the final flight to score comfortably by 10 lengths from Kilbunny Supersonic.

Townend later reported: “She’s improving the whole time. She was still immature in front, having to make her own running, going around bends and at her jumps, but she settled it quite well.

“It was sketchy down over the last three (hurdles). I wanted to drop the hammer off the last bend and bank on a couple of jumps, but I was happy enough going down to the last, although sometimes it’s often the worst thing you can do, because you’re indecisive then.

“She stays well and can probably go to three miles if she wants. She handled the ground very well.”

Hot bumper record

Trainer Andy Slattery’s excellent recent form, and in particular his bumper record, continued with the success of his Pat Morrissey-owned and bred Parnell Street (2/5 favourite) in the concluding Rally Masters Ireland Bumper.

Ridden by Adam Ryan, Parnell Street stretched clear in the closing stages to win by 11 lengths from Hopeful Hero.

Willie Slattery, representing his brother Andy, reported: “He is a nice horse. Things went a bit wrong for him in Galway (fourth) as he got too far back and, while we were confident coming here, we didn’t know about the rest (newcomers). We generally aren’t bumper-minded, although he is the sixth winner we’ve had recently from eight or 10 such horses. Pat (Morrissey, joint-owner) bred, reared and pre-trained this horse, so did the whole lot.”