AFTER hitting the crossbar on numerous occasions, Shane Markey registered that all-important first success aboard Found A Diamond in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden Hurdle on Thursday.

A never-nearer second when last seen at Cork, the Ross O’Sullivan-trained five-year-old clearly appreciated the step-up in trip to two and three-quarter miles.

While briefly losing his place approaching the straight, the well-backed 5/6 favourite (from 13/8 early) came with his challenge approaching the last and had a good scrap with Rebel Budz on the run-in, keeping on best to prevail by a length and a half.

“Shane deserves this and it was very good of Tommy Ward (owner) to give him the ride,” O’Sullivan reflected.

Markey added: “I’m 21, from Carrickmacross and I’m with Ross full-time. I try to get down to Enda Bolger’s on Mondays, where I do loads of schooling. I’ve come from the flat, so that schooling has been a great help to me.”

Favourite backers had to settle for minor honours in the opening Racing Again November 20th Beginners Chase, with Kotkito Bello (4/1) leading home Stoneyford Lady (3/1 favourite).

Found plenty

Racing mainly in second under Tiernan Power Roche, the Philip Rothwell-trained victor took over at the head of affairs two out and found plenty for pressure, coming home three and a half lengths to the good.

“We bought him cheaply. I had seen him run in points and felt he wasn’t staying three miles and thought he might be better over short trips,” Rothwell said of the Oliver Barden-owned five-year-old. “He looks a fun horse for the winter.”

Rothwell’s Game And Glory finished fourth in the www. thurlesraces.ie Handicap Chase, with the Mick Winters-trained River Vale (7/1) taking this 18-runner heat.

Always prominent under Shane Fitzgerald, the 100-rated bay was in front from six out, but was ridden and joined by Smallcraftwarning on the long run to the last.

Determinedly

Battling back determinedly, the successful son of Mahler regained an outright advantage away from that obstacle, keeping on well in the closing stages to prevail by a length in the colours of the Down To The Alley Syndicate.

“I was delighted with his fourth at Listowel. A Nod To Getaway finished third in that race and won earlier,” Winters commented.

“I was a bit concerned about the ground, but he jumped well and it’s great to give Shane Fitz a winner. He is a great jockey and a big asset.”

RACING off a career-high mark of 102, A Nod To Getaway (9/2) showed likeable battling attributes to claim the Littleton Handicap Chase over two miles, two and a half furlongs.

A model of consistency and registering his third win of the year, the Paul O’Flynn-trained eight-year-old was clearly suited by the strong early pace.

Taking over from the front-running Willywampus three out, he was ridden and joined by the strong travelling Howya Luveen on the approach to the final fence.

However, that Ross O’Sullivan-trained grey ultimately flattered to deceive, with the Darragh O’Keeffe-ridden victor eventually prevailing by a length and a quarter.

“He is a fiercely consistent horse and gives his running every day he goes out,” O’Flynn enthused.

“He’ll go on any ground, he is a tough old bugger, and his owner Denis Goold is very good to me.”

Six-length win

O’Keeffe had to settle for the runner-up berth, his third second-place finish of the afternoon, on Getaway Henry in the Two-Mile Borris Handicap Hurdle, with Destivelle (11/2) easing to a six-length win in a first-time visor.

On her second start for Ciaran Murphy, the Michael Byrnes-owned six-year-old was given a patient ride by Simon Torrens and made good progress on the outer approaching the straight. Improving into second before the final flight, the Vadamos bay surged to the front shortly after that obstacle and quickly settled matters.

“Shane Ryder (previous trainer) recommended us to the owner when he changed jobs, so I really appreciated that and he told us to come back here with her, as she likes this course,” Murphy revealed. “She ran a cracker the last day and we’re thrilled to win today.”

Bay Brook clipped heels and slipped up on the approach to the straight in this near two-mile contest and brought down Boston Bobby in the process.

After a subsequent enquiry, the stewards found John Shinnick, rider of Inchiquin Maid, guilty of careless riding and suspended him for five days.

ANOTHER daughter of Vadamos claimed the two and a half mile Ballagh Mares Handicap Hurdle, with Bynx battling to a narrow win under Sean Flanagan. Supported from 12s to 9s, the BTF Racing Club-owned bay raced in mid-division, taking closer order on the outer with over a circuit to go.

Battled back

Improving into a share of the lead on the long run to two out, she was ridden away from that flight and, while narrowly headed by Tir Og approaching the last, she battled back gamely in the closing stages, prevailing by a neck.

“We had planned to give her a break, and only for it being so near on nice ground that we decided to take our chance,” winning trainer Martin Hassett explained. “She is tough out and, when you have that, you always have a chance.”

Gamble

Owned by Claire Hartnett, Tom Conway and Daniel and Brendan Boland, The First Turn landed a gamble on debut in the concluding Irish Stallion Farms EBF Auction Flat Race.

Available at 8/1 in early shows for this 10-runner heat, the Sam Curling-trained four-year-old was eventually returned the 2/1 favourite.

Ridden by David Doyle and making good progress on the outer approaching the straight, the €8,000 Tattersalls May Store Sale purchase came with his challenge over a furlong from home.

Soon briefly impeded by eventual runner-up Lennon Grove, he quickened smartly to get by that rival in the closing stages and had three-quarters of a length to spare at the line.

“I thought he would be too green as it was his first time on grass and, while he is a lovely horse, I didn’t think he’d win first time,” Curling divulged.

“I won’t over-race him this year and there is plenty of improvement in him.”