SOLOMAN Lane sprang a 22/1 surprise in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Handicap Steeplechase as the second leg of a double for Martin Hassett and Liam McKenna.

The 10-year-old gelding was settled in mid-division and made headway onto the heels of the leaders after three out. He got on terms at the next and soon led under McKenna.

The pair went for home before the last, but on the run-in the closers Bridie’s Beau and Binge Worthy became more than interested in the first prize. Bridie’s Beau came hard at the leader in the closing stages, but the line came in time for Soloman Lane who got home by a head for owner John P. Dwan.

McKenna said after his first double: “I suppose he’s old and he’s quite a heavy-set horse, he does appreciate that ground and he motors through it. He did (pick up strongly), probably was there a bit soon but I had never hit the front on him before. Just needing company up the straight.”

Double up

Battle Of Ridgeway was a more comfortable winner of the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Handicap Steeplechase for Hassett and McKenna.

This seven-year-old gelding travelled well to challenge at the third last fence and took over at the penultimate obstacle.

He moved clear before the last and climbed the run-in to post a three-and-a-half-length success at 6/1 for David O’Mahoney Electrical Services Ltd.

McKenna said: “He’s very uncomplicated. Sometimes he mightn’t do a whole lot in front, but he didn’t do that today. He galloped away down to the last and picked up.

“He is capable and he has improved all this season – third in Cheltenham and even his run in Listowel (third) was a great run. He got caught up with a horse three out and he battled away.”

TOM Cleary’s Oh My Word was an impressive winner of the Listed Irish Stallion Farms EBF Future Champions Flat Race in the hands of Derek O’Connor.

The Poet’s Word gelding went into many notebooks after landing a bumper at this track on debut last month and enhanced his reputation after this display.

He was tanking along in the lead a furlong and a half down and readily asserted at the furlong pole. He then stayed on strongly to open up by 11 lengths at 11/4 for owner Seamus Ross.

Cleary said: “A lovely horse and very happy with him. He definitely improved from the last day. I just appreciate that he (Ross) put the horse with me and it is going the right way for him. That is my first listed race, so it is good.”

Patience pays off

Spinola Bay (13/2) belied an absence of more than a year to win the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Handicap Hurdle over two miles. Sam Ewing had plenty of horse under him as the pair strode into the lead approaching the last.

However, the five-year-old gelding was less than fluent there and pecked upon landing to open the door for his rivals. Crucially, he lost little momentum and Ewing was able to drive him home by two and a half lengths.

Gordon Elliott said: “We thought he was well enough handicapped, but he just had disappointed us. I was under no pressure to run him off David (L’Estrange, owner) and we just gave him all the time - there was nothing wrong with the horse. He was just big and weak.”

Quest completed

Shark Hanlon was delighted with Quest With Speed’s performance in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Handicap Hurdle The 40/1 outsider was always to the fore in this two-and-a-half-mile assignment. Gavin Brouder had him in the lead after two out and soon asked for more.

The son of Quest For Peace found more on the run-in to beat Collaborative by a length and a half for owner William Carroll.

The trainer said: “He ran in a listed race the last time and he is 9lb lower over hurdles than he is over fences, and he wants heavy (ground). The only thing I was a little bit doubtful about was that my horses are after being off the boil.

“It is only last week I worked horses and I was happy coming back with them. I haven’t been happy for three months.”

Sam Ewing and Donagh Meyler on unplaced horses Mavetherave and From The Ashes were handed two-day and eight-day bans respectively for riding carelessly.

THE Lovely Man (5/1) led home a one-two for Gavin Cromwell in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Handicap Chase over three miles.

Keith Donoghue held him up towards the rear of this 12-runner field and he took closer order three out. He closed over the next and soon went to the lead.

Stablemate Evies Vladimir was in there pitching for honours at the last, but The Lovely Man stayed on well to beat him by five lengths for the Wild Guy Syndicate.

Cromwell said: “He did (get the three miles nicely), but Keith gave him a lovely easy ride and he snuck around on him. He got it nice and smooth, and he jumped very well.”

Diamond shines brightest

Found A Diamond (11/2) stuck to his task well with first-time cheekpieces deployed in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Handicap Hurdle. He stayed on into third at the penultimate flight and Shane Markey sent him into the lead before the last.

He forged on to draw six and a half lengths clear of The Miracle Man at the winning post.

Ross O’Sullivan said: “It is great to see him (Tommy Ward, owner) get success. He gets a great kick out of it. He saves plenty for himself, but fair play to Shane. The horse caught him out the last day in Thurles, but he learned from that.”

Markey did pick up a five-day ban for excessive frequency with the whip.