WITH prize money of €20,000, the Vince Power Memorial Handicap Chase was the feature on this seven-race programme, and it was the locally trained Clarens who came out on top.

Racing mainly in second place under Darragh O’Keeffe, the 10/3 chance (drifted from 15/8 early) was left in front when Willywampus unseated five fences from the finish.

While strongly pressed by Itsalonglongroad on the run to the penultimate obstacle, the Miracle Racing Syndicate-owned victor found plenty for pressure in the closing stages and despite a slight mistake at the last, he had two lengths to spare at the line.

Just four of the seven starters managed to complete the course in this near two-mile heat, with Be Fierce falling at the sixth, hampering Red Striker who subsequently unseated.

“It’s brilliant that they put such good prize money on for that type of race,” winning handler John Flavin enthused. “He had top-weight and is not that big, but he is as honest and you couldn’t fault him.”

Justified

There was just a length and a half between the first four home in the QuinnBet Beginners Chase, with Serienmond justifying 10/11 favouritism in the colours of the Giddy Up Boy Syndicate.

On his first try over the larger obstacles, the Gavin Cromwell-trained five-year-old raced in mid-division under Keith Donoghue, taking closer order from three out.

Pushed along into a narrow lead before the next, where the front-running Florance crashed out, the grey victor was kept up to his work all the way to the line, holding off the late effort of Belle The Lioness by three quarters of a length.

“It’s good to win with him first time out over fences. He had the rating to win the race,” Donoghue commented. “Hopefully he can keep progressing, but he is probably one that will be put away now.”

ON his first try over fences, Aussie Warrior initiated a double for Phillip Enright, as he led home 11 rivals in the opening Curraghmore Beginners Chase.

In the care of Tom Hughes, the Australia-sired six-year-old touched 28/1 in early shows, but came in for sustained market support and was returned an 11/2 chance. Hampered at the fourth and gradually warming to his task, he improved to lead with a circuit to go.

Soon skipping clear and not fluent four out, the Pat Byrne-owned bay saw his advantage reduced approaching the penultimate fence, but he kept on well for pressure to hold off the late effort of Penalty Try by a length and three quarters.

Hughes was on lead-up duties, with his father Pat, who was a highly successful trainer in his own right, later stating: “He had a long break and came back a bit stronger.

“He won as a four-year-old and last year he was second twice. We ran him in a few races close together and I’d say it knocked too much out of him.”

Completed

Second to Bambino Fever at Punchestown on New Year’s Eve, Derryville completed Enright’s brace in the Walsh King Accountants Mares Maiden Hurdle.

On her first start over flights, the Sam Curling-trained five-year-old was well-supported from early shows of 5/1, eventually going off favourite at 7/4.

Settled behind the leaders, the John Hogan-owned victor came with her challenge approaching two out and was ridden to lead before the last.

While not fluent there, she extended her advantage on the run-in and led home the Willie Mullins-trained Sugar Cookie, with three and three quarters of a length between them.

“She deserved that. I’d say she will learn a lot from today and hopefully she can win another one or two during the summer,” Enright divulged.

Love conquers all

Mullins later claimed the concluding QuinnBet (Ladies Pro/Am) INH Flat Race with impressive debutant Love Me Tender (1/2 favourite).

Owned and bred by his wife Jackie, the Doctor Dino four-year-old was settled behind the leaders on the outer and improved to challenge with two furlongs to go.

Soon gaining an outright advantage, the winner readily drew clear when pushed along inside the final furlong, coming home eight lengths to the good.

“He was very impressive and I know he probably didn’t beat much, but he couldn’t do much more than that,” winning rider Jody Townend disclosed.

TOM Harney saw his claim reduced to 5lb, after he guided Mags Nelson to victory in the QuinnBet Handicap Hurdle. A never nearer fifth on his handicap debut at Cork, the Ross O’Sullivan-trained six-year-old came in for good market support and was returned the 2/1 favourite (from 6s early).

The winner of a point-to-point when in the care of Ciaran Fennessy, the Rathmoy Syndicate-owned bay was sixth with a circuit to go.

Making good progress into second approaching two out, he was pushed along to challenge Menas Miracle before the last and ultimately outstayed that rival on the run-in, with a length and a half separating them at the line.

“He is after finding his own level now and is a lovely horse,” O’Sullivan, who was registering his second winner in the space of three days, remarked. “I’m delighted for Tom. He is down to 5lb now and it’s a nice achievement for him.”

On fire

Bowensonfire also came home a length and a half to the good, with this Gordon Elliott-trained five-year-old taking the six-runner SIS Supporting Irish Racing Handicap Hurdle.

Beaten into second when odds-on at Ayr in February and starting off in handicap company in this two-mile heat, the KTDA Racing-owned victor was returned at 5/2.

Racing in second under Finn Brickley, the €88,000 Arkle Sale purchase was ridden before the last, and found that bit extra to gain an outright advantage on the run-in, keeping on well to see off the game effort of Hasten Slowly.

“He didn’t jump with much fluency over four and three out and I was a bit worried then coming down the hill, but to be fair, he put his head down and galloped,” Brickley, who was registering his second win since turning professional, reflected.