KEVIN Healy had a day to remember at Naas on Wednesday, when partnering his first career double. The 7lb claimer took the bull by the horns in the claiming hurdle on the card as Rocky’s Howya made all for a facile victory.

He was soon clear on the 4/6 shot and Declan Queally’s charge was never challenged, as he posted a 21-length success over Fenway Park.

“That’s his kind of thing now. He’s 10 years old and he’s had plenty of issues. He’s staying in one piece at the moment,” said Queally.

“He’s had tendon issues. Dave (Kiely) is getting a good return out of him. I’d say the visor is after waking him up and Kevin is good value for his 7lb.”

Half an hour later, Healy got the leg up on the well-supported Walk In The Clouds for Cian Collins. The 12/1 shot (66/1 in the morning) went on at the third flight and, despite being untidy at the last, she had enough up her sleeve to hold the late challenge of Annie Button by three-parts of a length.

“It was great to get that. I think the ride won the race to be honest,” said Collins.

“She’s been a bit disappointing, but I think the cheekpieces maybe got her going. She was probably idling a bit in front and having a good look around. Kevin felt she wasn’t doing a tap.”

KEITH Donoghue was another to grab a double on the card, as he landed the final two contests. He teamed up with in-form trainer Philip Dempsey, when Umpire’s Call ran out a game winner of the William Hill Challenge Series Handicap Hurdles.

The 7/2 shot made almost all the running and answered every call when pressed from the last to record a length and three-quarters victory over Only For Our Man.

“That was great. Brian Pierce has been a great supporter of ours down through the years,” said Dempsey. “I’m delighted with him. He’s a huge horse and I’d say it’s only now he’s coming fitness-wise. He’s a chaser in the making, hopefully.”

It was a contrasting ride in the concluding two-mile-seven contest as Let’s Go Mans led late to land the spoils. The Gavin Cromwell-trained gelding launched his challenge on the run-in and the 4/1 shot got up close home for a neck victory over Mickey Hulie.

Troy Cullen, race-planner for Cromwell, said: “He had the run in the point-to-point the last day (second at Punchestown) and he’s a real stayer.

“Keith gave him a great ride and switching inside was probably the difference between winning and losing. He’s a work in progress, but hopefully he can progress from here and maybe he’ll win another one.”

THE Willie Mullins-trained Brechin Castle overcame an 803-day absence to make a winning start over timber in the opening William Hill Challenge Series Maiden Hurdle.

Paul Townend bounced out in front on the 2/7 shot and, having been headed after the penultimate flight, Roger Brookhouse’s gelding rallied to lead again at the final flight.

The hotpot asserted on the run-in for a six-and-a-half-length win over Famous Figure.

Townend said: “He’s a lovely bonny horse. Obviously he had been off the track for a long time, but popped away well in front. He had a little blow, so I think he’ll improve a little bit for it as well. What looked like a race we settled quick enough. It’s good to get him back on the track.”

Bok opens account

Bokamsin produced a fine front-running performance to claim the rated novice hurdle on the card in impressive fashion.

The Henry de Bromhead-trained gelding kicked clear two from home, under Darragh O’Keeffe, to run out a six-length winner over Tip Of The Wings in the two-mile contest.

O’Keeffe said of the Philip Reynolds-owned 15/2 winner: “He’s a fine big horse and jumped brilliant today. I thought it was a good performance.

“I was happy after jumping a couple of hurdles, he had his ears pricked. It’s nice that he’d done the job for the owners. He’s six, but he took a long time to come to hand. Hopefully now that will do his confidence the world of good and he can build on it.”

More to come

Pat Foley is also hoping there is more to come from Rathbawn Soldier, after her victory in the William Hill Series Mares Handicap Hurdle. The 12/1 shot was prominent throughout under Alex Harvey and ran around a touch when leading going to the last.

She knuckled down well in the closing stages to score by three and a half lengths from Classy Cc.

“We’re delighted with her. I was worried that it was her first run in a handicap, she has been on and off the bridle in her last two races,” said Foley, who trains the filly for Adrian Butler.

“I didn’t know if she’d be keen or behind the bridle. I said to Alex to have her handy and go from there. She never missed a beat, she had a bit of a look at the last, but Alex knows her from home, so he knew what to do with her. He was very good on her.”