AS is so often the case at Graun Hill, course specialists came to the fore, with both Rochestown and Prince Of Air winning their respective races for the second year running.

Despite late scares, the Brendan Walsh-trained Rochestown snatched victory from the jaws of defeat in the QuinnBet.com Handicap Chase.

Registering a fourth win at the seaside venue, the 13/2 chance tracked the leaders under Phillip Enright and was pushed along in third on the approach to two out.

Hampered by the fall of 5/2 favourite Lilian Bland at that penultimate obstacle, the David O’Meara-owned bay recovered quickly to challenge before the last and despite a mistake there, he rallied on to beat General Clermont by a neck.

“He loves it here and we are running out of races for him now, he’ll be going up in the handicap,” Walsh remarked. “We knew he was in good form today and that’s Phillip’s first winner for me since I took over the licence.”

Course hat-trick

Prince Of Air’s (7/2 joint-favourite) third course win came in the concluding SETU Student Race Day Tomorrow April 14th Handicap Chase.

Now two from three since switching to Charles Coakley, the eight-year-old made virtually all under Shane O’Callaghan, with his task made that bit easier by the independent falls of Arthor (7/2 joint-favourite) and Single Edition at the sixth.

Pressed before two out, where he pecked on landing, the 98-rated victor was soon ridden and kept on well in the closing stages to hold off the effort of Onebrightbluerose by half a length.

“He loves it here, but we were worried because he hadn’t been out in a while,” Coakley said of the Eleven Grumpy Men Syndicate-owned bay.

“We will stick with chasing because he seems to be enjoying himself and he might go for a stronger race somewhere now.”

THE race to be crowned champion conditional looks set to go right down to the wire, with Alex Harvey maintaining his push for the title by registering a brace.

Now five off Tiernan Power Roche, the Co Dublin native struck first aboard Long Gone (10/3), who took the opening Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Maiden Hurdle by a length.

There was a dramatic conclusion to this eight-runner affair, with Russellsbelle and 1/2 favourite Qualimita falling independently two out when still very much in contention.

At the head of affairs with Sea Of Doubt from flag fall, the Declan Queally-trained victor gained a narrow lead away from that penultimate flight and she maintained her advantage all the way to the line.

“We had a bit of luck two out, but the riders and horses are up and that’s the main thing,” Queally reflected. “It’s great to pick up the €5,000 bonus and I’m delighted for her owner John Bates and his son Gilmer, they are great supporters.”

Double up

Harvey doubled his tally on the well-supported Clarens (5/1 from 12s early) in the QuinnBet.com Rated Novice Chase, with just two lengths separating the field of four at the finish.

Making virtually all, the John Flavin-trained eight-year-old was strongly pressed before two out and and joined by Enjoy The Dream approaching the last. Getting away from that fence the quicker, the Miracle Racing Syndicate-owned victor kept finding for pressure on the run-in and was half a length to the good at the line.

“It was a great jumping performance, he was the horse with the least experience over fences, but he was on springs today,” Harvey enthused.

“He got his own way in front and I just let him bowl away.

“He’s a tough horse and very genuine and John has done a brilliant job with him.”

Closing in

Second to Power Roche in the conditional riders’ standings, John Shinnick moved to within two of the lead after partnering Fairyland Opera to a facile success in the Adare Manor Opportunity Maiden Hurdle.

A runner-up on recent starts at Navan and Naas respectively, the Lorna Fowler-trained six-year-old was widely expected to deliver, going off the clear 10/11 favourite in the colours of Valerie Cooper and her daughter Diana.

Racing mainly in fourth, the Elusive Pimpernel mare made smooth headway to the front after three out and increased her advantage from the next, eventually coming home 12 lengths to the good.

“That was great, she absolutely deserved it,” Fowler commented.

“We stepped up in trip today and they either stay or they don’t and they either handle Tramore or they don’t, and she managed both just fine. She’s a gorgeous filly and I hope she keeps progressing now.”

A HALF-brother to the mighty State Man, Soir De Garde (2/5 favourite) opened his account in the QuinnBet Maiden Hurdle, as he easily brushed aside eight rivals.

Placed in two bumpers and starting off over flights, the Willie Mullins-trained seven-year-old tracked the leader on the outer under Jody Townend, improving to the front from four out.

Skipping a few lengths clear after the next, the Joe and Marie Donnelly-owned bay readily increased his advantage approaching the final flight and had 10 lengths to spare at the line.

“I got a dream spin around. He was a bit skew ways over the first and then settled into it lovely. It all went to plan,” Townend explained.

Regarding the ladies amateur riders’ title race, she added: “I’m one ahead now and finally on the right side of it.”

Stumblin In was another to justify favouritism, as she claimed the QuinnBet Handicap Hurdle for the father and son team of Pat and Jack Doyle.

Challenge

Well-supported from 6s to 7/2, the Michael Fanning-owned six-year-old made progress to challenge before two out and was pushed along to lead approaching the final flight.

Ridden on the run-in, the successful Shantou mare ultimately came home two and a half lengths clear of Mullanour.

“That was lovely. She was in season when third at Wexford and we probably shouldn’t have brought her to the north then,” Doyle disclosed.

“That was a weak race and I was told by mentors to keep yourself in the best company and your horses in the worst!”