ROSS O’Sullivan and Ricky Doyle kept their good run of form going at Sligo when 16/1 chance Let’s Go La Fichad got up in the final stride of the RSS Record Storage Service Maiden Hurdle, over two and a quarter miles, to touch off Willie Mullins’ French import Koliath De Couely by a head.

The successful five-year-old, by Kargese’s sire Jeu St Eloi, is owned by John Rowney’s Tinnahinch Construction Limited in partnership with Marie Therese Wall.

It was a fifth winner in the space of five days for Doyle, who remarked: “He hasn’t been the easiest to deal with and wears the hood for a reason.

“He battled well to the line and we’ll see what kind of mark he gets.”

Alan King, who rode fourth-placed Lilac Lady, picked up a four-day ban for careless riding after an incident with over a circuit to go.

More drama

Led up by his trainer Aidan Melia, Timurshah followed up a six-length win at Clonmel four days earlier when making most for a four-length victory in the Crawford Tiles And More Handicap Hurdle over two and a quarter miles.

Michelle Connolly’s five-year-old, sent off 11/4 favourite having got in as a reserve, was once again partnered by Conor Smithers, who enthused: “He got a lot of confidence from his last win and, whatever Aidan has done with him, he’s really turned the corner now.

“Going into a better grade might help him, because he could take a lead.”

Also getting in as a reserve, market drifter Glin Road Boy came from a long way back to finish second on his first start for Charles Byrnes, whose son Cathal stated at a subsequent running-and-riding enquiry that he was satisfied with the ride until the last, after which he would have liked to have seen jockey Tom Kelly being a bit more forceful up to the line. The trainer escaped sanction, but Kelly was banned for 14 days for insufficient effort and the horse was suspended for 60 days.

THE Stephen Mullins & Sons Mares Maiden Hurdle, over two and a quarter miles, was for previously unplaced horses, and it resulted in success for 28/1 chance Cherry Red.

Owned and trained by David Christie, the daughter of Ocovango was handy throughout and led after three out to beat Clash Gold by four lengths.

Rider Ben Harvey explained: “She was unlucky in a point-to-point one day and had a good run in a maiden hurdle won by Facile Vega a few years ago.

“It’s only her third run for David, so he might have a bit of fun with her through the summer.”

Easy winner

Trained by Gordon Elliott for Ray Stokes, Raydamann (10/3) was a ready winner of the Yeats Irish Whiskey Claiming Hurdle over two and a quarter miles.

The Aga Khan-bred son of Sea The Stars defeated Eye Eye by eight lengths and jockey James Smith reported: “Gordon said to be handy, in the first three or four. He winged three out, so I let him on and he did it easily.

“I’ve been just under the 15-winner mark for the last couple of seasons, so this series of races is good for the likes of me.”

Fourth-placed Phoenix Arizona was claimed by Kerry trainer David O’Sullivan, while Mayo-based handler John Cullen acquired fifth home Woodstream Lad.

Back-to-back

Larkins Lane followed up a win at Limerick in the Knocknarea Handicap Hurdle for Philip Rothwell and the Old Misfits Syndicate.

The Dylan Thomas mare came from off the pace and took over from fellow 4/1 joint-favourite Brave Josee after the last to score by two and three-quarter lengths.

“I didn’t want to be so far back, but I was turned sideways at the start,” said jockey Shane O’Callaghan.

“She can be a little bit hot, but seems in a good vein of form at the moment and a stiff two and a half miles like this is perfect for her.”

AFTER coming from well back to take the Glasshouse Hotel (Q.R.) Handicap Hurdle over three miles and two furlongs, the locally-trained Ilbdare (10/1) returned to a good reception.

Billy Coonan’s mount got up close home to beat Sphagnum by a length and three-quarters in the colours of Peter Wall from Castlerea in Co Roscommon.

“He likes it here and, for a flat-bred horse, stays very well,” said trainer Mark McNiff.

“He had to come wide into the straight, but doesn’t like being around horses anyway. There’s no forcing him; you have to let him find his feet and wait on him to go.”

Tough as teak

McNiff was confident of a big run from Circus Hill in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares (Pro/Am) Flat Race, but the well-backed second favourite couldn’t find a way past Pets Georgina (8/1) in the finale over two and a quarter miles.

The latter, trained by John Ryan for owner/breeders Loughlin and Brigid Harte, raced keenly and improved to lead six furlongs out before staying on well to fend off Circus Hill by a length. The winner tightened up the second when drifting left late on, but kept the race after a stewards’ enquiry (two-day careless riding ban for Josh Halford).

“She had a really good run in a novice hurdle at Kilbeggan and is unnaturally tough,” said Ryan.

“She did a good bit wrong there and pulled her way to the front, but still had enough to stay there. She’s out a of a good mare (Missyspet) that the Hartes raced to three races, and will go back hurdling now.”