DARRAGH O’Keeffe registered his 11th win in less than a fortnight, when guiding the Robcour-owned Aspire Tower (4/9 favourite) to success in the T.C. Cullen Memorial Novice Chase.

Twice successful in Grade 2 company over flights, the Henry de Bromhead-trained nine-year-old made virtually all and kept on well in the closing stages to beat Ta Na La by four and a quarter lengths.

“He has his own way of jumping. When he meets one spot on or a bit long he is very good. When he gets in tight he can be a little bit awkward,” Robbie Power, representing de Bromhead, explained. “He is in at Tattersalls later this month and someone is going to have a lot of fun with him.”

The stewards later enquired into the running and riding of Ta Na La, with Ted Walsh and Shane O’Callaghan found in breach of Rule 212.(A) - in that the rider was not seen to have attempted to obtain from his mount timely, real and substantial efforts to achieve the best possible place. O’Callaghan was suspended for 14 days and ordered to forfeit his riding fee, while Walsh was fined €3,000 and Ta Na La banned from running for 60 days. Walsh has lodged an appeal, to be heard on Monday.

Third time lucky

Hello Jean (4/7) also justified odds-on favouritism in the concluding Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares’ INH Flat Race. Placed on her first two starts, the Willie Mullins-trained five-year-old improved into second approaching the straight.

While briefly short of room on the inner from the furlong pole, the Declan Brennan-owned bay edged to the front inside the final 150 yards and kept on well from there to beat Apples Jane by two and a quarter lengths.

“She had two good runs and she’s as tough as nails,” winning rider Jody Townend reflected. “She probably wants further, but she’s tough out and galloped all the way to the line.”

BILLIONAIRE businessman Denis O’Brien saw his colours carried to victory for the first time in the Support The Irish Injured Jockeys Fund Handicap Hurdle.

His Our Soldier led home 12 rivals in this three-mile contest, with Phillip Enright keeping this Edward O’Grady-trained six-year-old wide throughout.

Emerging to the front on the approach to the straight, the 7/1 chance (from 10s) needed to be kept up to his work all the way to the line, holding off the late effort of Duke Silver (4/1 favourite) by three-quarters of a length.

“He is a nice stayer come chaser in the making and he likes the better ground,” O’Grady revealed. “It’s the first horse I’ve had for Denis O’Brien and so I’m very pleased.”

Narrow victory

Recently crowned champion conditional, Tiernan Power Roche opened his account for the new campaign when guiding Splendid Choice (6/1 from 10s early) to a narrow win in the Slaney River Handicap Hurdle.

The Michael Hannon and Alan Wright-owned bay made good progress on the outer from the third last and swept through to dispute the lead on the approach to the final flight.

Jumping that obstacle in unison with A Nod To Getaway, he outstayed that rival on the run-in, with just a neck between them at the line.

“He made a very bad mistake at Sligo last year and went wrong behind,” winning trainer Philip Rothwell disclosed. “Since then, he was sixth and fourth and now he has won, so he has built confidence.”

Riggs on the up

A step-up in class could be on the cards for the Paul Butler and James Byrne-owned Riggs, after his win in the SIS Supporting Irish Racing Handicap Chase.

Bridging a long gap between drinks when successful at Downpatrick just eight days previous, the Peter Cluskey-trained 10-year-old was sent off at 14/1.

Despite a mistake at the third last, the Liam McKenna-ridden bay swept to the front on the outer approaching the next and eased to a six-and-a-half-length win.

“He has had a few problems and it took us a while to find them,” Cluskey divulged. “We were thinking if he done well today that we might look at the Connacht National or maybe the Midlands one.”

THE well-backed Kilbuny Supersonic (10/3 favourite from 8s early) provided trainer Richard O’Hara with a first track success in the opening Wexford Racecourse Mares’ Maiden Hurdle.

Close in second before getting to the front after the fourth, the Delton Syndicate-owned five-year-old soon established a clear lead.

She had matters under control approaching the straight and ultimately eased to an 18-length win under amateur rider Luke Murphy.

“She just keeps going at the same pace and stays going forever,” O’Hara’s father and namesake reported. “I organised the Delton Syndicate and the last winner we had here was Fissure Seal (in 1992). He won in Cheltenham and the Punchestown Gold Cup when it was a handicap.”

Making all

There was further Deise County success in the Forth Mountain Trails Mares Handicap Hurdle, with Lilian Bland (7/1) registering a third win from her last five starts.

Owned and trained by Niall Hennessy, the nine-year-old made all under Richie Deegan. Not fluent two out and soon pressed by Rose Boum, she proved game on the run-in, pulling out more to win by a length and a quarter.

“She’s unbelievable and was very tough again today,” Cappoquin-based Hennessy enthused. “She’ll continue to mix it between hurdles and fences.”