DARA John O’Sullivan rode the first winner of his career when partnering Noble Name, bred, owned and trained by his mother Claire O’Connell, to land the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares (Pro/Am) INH Flat Race.

Coming through to head Barra Rua over two furlongs out, the 6/1 chance stayed on strongly to beat the closing Run For Mahler by two and a quarter lengths.

“It was great,” said O’Connell. “She came on nice and slowly. She won her point-to-point and then had a couple of runs in bumpers, she was improving all the time. We’re absolutely delighted. It’s a great prize with the fillies bonus and everything.

“That’s Dara’s first winner, he’s 17 and he’s back to school now in September to do his leaving cert. It’s home-bred; horse and jockey! It’s a day to remember.”

Good fortune for new owner

Fortunate Lighting got off the mark on her second start for Thomas Coyle with a cosy success in the featured Lighthouse At Clifford Electrical Handicap Hurdle. Alex Harvey produced the 16/1 shot to lead going to the last and she stayed on strongly on the run-in for a five-length success.

“I’m delighted, Philip (McGee) is a new owner to the yard,” Coyle said. “We have two horses for him and Lunar Landscape was second for me as well.

“I always thought she was decent. If you go back to her bumper form, she could do that. It’s the first time she’s had a nice weight on her back and that’s why we went for a higher grade. She probably wants a little bit more of a cut in the ground, but chasing is her game, she jumps like a buck.”

Important silks

The Donnacha Duggan-owned and trained Ballykinlar followed up on his recent Kilbeggan win when taking the Kilcawley Construction Rated Novice Hurdle. Eoin Staples produced the 7/2 chance to challenge at the second last and drew clear from the final flight to record a five-length win.

“He was always a nice horse, but was just a bit unlucky,” said Duggan. “He should have won his five-year-old maiden on his second start, only he fell three out. If he keeps improving, we’ll probably go for a beginners chase with him.”

WILLIE Mullins registered an opening race double at Sligo on Thursday evening, with Mount Sinai getting favourite-backers off to a flying start, when staying on best under Brian Hayes to win the Westcare Home Care Claiming Hurdle.

Sent off even-money favourite, the Triple Lock Partnership-owned mare came through to lead entering the straight, before going away to win by two-and-a-half lengths. She was subsequently claimed by Shark Hanlon for €4,000.

Hayes said: “It was a great bit of placing and it’s job done; to come here and try and win that race and get a few quid. She was very well treated at the weights, but it’s not always as simple as that. She did everything right.”

Progressive mare

Forty Kay came from off the pace under Paul Townend to complete the brace in the Martin Reilly Hyundai Mares Maiden Hurdle. Sent off 17/2, the Blue Blood Racing Club-owned mare led at the last, keeping on close home to score by three and a quarter lengths.

Townend reported: “She’s improving away and hopefully will improve again. She had been showing nice work, improving work, but it was a good find at the same time. Hopefully she can improve away and find her level.”

A WINNER over course and distance on his stable debut for Cian Collins last July, Torquay Road (7/2 favourite) scored for the first time since when landing the Sports Information Service Handicap Hurdle. The gelding travelled strongly under Danny Gilligan, before moving through to lead after two out and stayed on well to beat Lodilomoco by two and a half lengths.

“It was great to get it, he deserved it,” said Collins. “He had great runs and the form worked out very well, they were tougher races than you’d think for that grade and he was unlucky to bump into them. He had course form here and it was another great ride by Danny. He could go for another handicap hurdle or he might jump a fence, he’s a good solid jumper. We could travel to England, he has loads of options. He’s owned by a big owner in the yard, Kevin (McConnell), so it’s great to get a winner for him, as he’s a big supporter.”

Flat next for Ffrench

Phillip Enright delivered the Sam Curling-trained Lord Ffrench with a well-judged ride from off the pace to win the Mulhern Leonard Chartered Accountants Maiden Hurdle.

Owned by Mark Byrne, the five-year-old was well-supported from 4/1 into 13/8 favourite to open his account. Moving third after the penultimate flight, he led early on the run-in and stayed on nicely to win by one and a quarter lengths.

“He had good bumper form and he’s been very unlucky; he got knocked down the last day he ran and had been a bit keen a few days, but he settled well there today,” said Curling.

“It wasn’t much of a race, but he did it well. Hopefully he’ll go forward.

“He’s in on the flat next week and will probably go there, he’s a flat-bred kind of a horse - he’s a handy little lad.”