A NAME synonymous with the racing scene in Wexford once again hit the headlines, as locals Darragh Berry and his nephew Josh combined to register a double at this Killinick Harriers fixture.

The pair struck first in the opening four-year-old mares maiden, with Elderflower Tonic (5/1) dominating from the front.

While she appeared a sitting duck when joined by the well-backed Five Shiros (5/4 - 4/6 favourite) four out, the successful Maxios bay regained an outright lead after the penultimate obstacle and went on approaching the last, ultimately coming home 10 lengths to the good.

“She ran well the first day, but the ground was a bit too quick for her there. Josh knows her, and she is a good tough lady, so I just said to him to ride her as you find her,” the successful handler reflected.

“I bought her as a foal privately, and she is owned by my partner Josephine and a couple of others (the Run For Fun Partnership).” Pulled up on her sole previous start at Stowlin in May, Expensive Emotion (5/4 - 1/1 favourite) completed the Berry brace in the five-year-old mares maiden.

Also given a no-nonsense front-running ride, the €16,000 Tattersalls May Store Sale purchase was joined by Star Cave before three out, but fought off the challenge of that rival approaching the last, with three lengths between them on crossing the line.

There was a further 90-length gap back to the only other finisher, with the remaining five contenders all pulling up.

“Josh has been waiting to ride her for two years. He was injured when she ran the first time,” Berry, who also owns the successful bay, revealed. “Derek (O’Connor) rode her that day. She damaged her muscles there, and Derek looked after her well; he knew something wasn’t right.

“It’s nice to have a double at the home track, and it’s lovely for Josh as well, as it’s his first double.”

ANOTHER uncle and nephew successfully combined in the five-year-old geldings’ maiden, with Doujadou (2/1 - 5/4 favourite) striking for Benny Walsh and Barry Stone.

In front when carried out five fences from the finish on his latest start at Damma House, the French-bred grey was completing a double for Stone.

In a share of the lead from four out, the €34,000 Tattersalls July Store Sale purchase gained an outright advantage before the second last and soon went on, ultimately easing to a 24-length win in the colours of Denis Hayes.

Stone had earlier claimed the first division of the four-year-old geldings’ maiden, partnering debutant Blue To You (3/1 - 2/1 favourite) to a narrow win in this nine-runner heat.

Out of a half-sister to 2021 Champion Chase heroine Put The Kettle On, the Robert Tector-owned and trained bay raced in mid-division and blundered at the fourth.

Dug deep

Briefly short of room from two out and soon pushed along in a close third, he edged to the front before the last and, while making a slight mistake there, dug deep on the run-in to hold off Uncle Scrooge by a neck.

“We were expecting a good run today. The lads (KK Agri Ltd) bred him, and he went to the sales, but they didn’t get enough for him, thank God!” Tector remarked.

“We had a half-brother called Sign Again and we won a four-year-old maiden with him at Ballysteen. He went on and won twice for Charlie Longsdon.

“He is a tough horse and will learn a lot from today.”

Another debutant claimed the second division, with the Paul Pierce-trained A Sight To Sea (6/1 - 4/5 favourite) justifying strong market support under Luke Murphy.

Easing up

Clearly not content with the slow early pace, Murphy sent his mount to the front after the fourth, and the pair never saw another rival from there, eventually easing to a six-length win in the colours of the Blackhall Stables Partnership.

“We fancied him big time. He was our golden ticket for the year,” Andy Pierce, son of the winning trainer, commented.

“His work has been great, and he was at Monksgrange a few weeks ago, where he came up the straight on his own. We’ve had sleepless nights since waiting for this!

“Hopefully, he’ll head on to the Goffs Newbury Sale now.”

EARLIER on the mark at Cork and Punchestown respectively, Chemical Energy (1/1 - 2/1 favourite) completed a cross-card treble for Gordon Elliott in the open over the banks course.

Sixth in the Cross Country at Cheltenham in March and successful on his point-to-point debut at Tinahely last month, the Noel and Valerie Moran-owned nine-year-old proved a class above his rivals.

Taking closer order before six out, Barry O’Neill sent the chesnut victor to the front after the penultimate obstacle, and he soon went on, coming home six lengths clear of the always prominent Fralimonti Bilbery.

“He was brilliant and foot-perfect everywhere,” O’Neill enthused. “The race went according to plan, and he loved it because he sprinted down to the last. I’m sure Gordon has a plan for him now.”

Owned and trained by O’Neill’s brother Jim, Jigsaw Juke (4/1 – 6/1) led home nine rivals in the concluding six-year-old and upwards maiden.

A €42,000 Tattersalls Derby Sale purchase, the Jukebox Jury six-year-old tracked the leaders under Alan Harney, improving to the front before four out.

Pressed by Cebu City before the final fence, the chesnut victor kept finding for pressure and beat his aforementioned rival by a length.

“He jumped well, and I’d say he’ll go for a winners’ race now,” Harney divulged.

“I’m based with Donnchadh Doyle and ride out there in the mornings, but I go to Jim’s in the afternoon four or five times a week.”

Horse to follow

Flying Ace (D. H. O’Connor): This €6,000 Tattersalls May Store Sale purchase almost provided O’Connor with a dream start to his training career.

Finishing a close third in the race won by Blue To You, he can be expected to step forward from this initial experience, and it’ll come as no surprise if he manages to go a few places better on his next start.