RUNNER-up on his first two starts, Henry de Bromhead’s Lirakali (2/1) readily got off the mark at the third time of asking in the William Hill Challenge Series Maiden Hurdle over two miles and a furlong.
Second in a bumper last term and touched off by stablemate The Captain’s Word on hurdling debut at Gowran Park earlier in the month, Kenny Haughey’s five-year-old led before two out under Darragh O’Keeffe and scored by eight lengths from Jessbers Wish.
“We had a bit of a concern about the soft ground, but he seemed to handle it well,” said the winning trainer.
“There are a couple of nice novice hurdles coming up for him and the Royal Bond at Fairyhouse is a possibility.”
Irish National on target
Pat’s Legacy was a 20/1 winner on seasonal debut in the William Hill Challenge Series Irish EBF Beginners Chase over two miles, three furlongs.
Returning from almost six months off and having his first run over the larger obstacles, Paddy O’Hanlon’s mount was close up throughout and the Ronan Murphy-owned Walk In The Park gelding defeated Kir by three-parts of a length.
“He was a big raw horse last year and we just took our time with him,” said trainer Ian Donoghue.
“He’s strengthened up plenty for his break. We said he’ll need four runs for the Irish National, so that’s the first one out of the way!”
PAUL Nolan sent out the first four home in the Bet With Tote On Racing & Sports Maiden Hurdle over two and a half miles, with 33/1 chance El Bilo running out a facile winner under Jordan Gainford.
The winner had his task greatly simplified as odds-on chance Huntin Boots plunged on the approach to the first and unseated Jack Kennedy, and second-favourite Square Necker stopped quickly after a mistake three out.
From the latter juncture, the Jet Away gelding, owned by Manverton Limited, powered clear to win by 20 lengths from Well Friend.
“He jumped well for a horse having his first run over hurdles, he had loads of schooling done,” commented Nolan.
“I’d say that’s the first time I’ve had the first four home anyway, whatever about first and second, and it’s great to do it at my local track.”
Doubling up
Nolan had earlier taken the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Academy Hurdle over two and a quarter miles with Albert Dravins’ homebred The Two Degrees who made a winning debut at odds of 10/3.
Sean Flanagan’s mount looked held in third two out, but found plenty off the bridle to beat Hansel The Purse by two and a quarter lengths.
“He looked a bit raw in the parade ring, and I’d say he’s after growing a hand in the last month,” said Nolan. “His dam Tucanae was a decent sort of a mare for us, and I’d say he’s a nice horse going forward.”
Ben Harvey was given a two-day suspension for not pulling up Bay City Boy, who appeared to have no more to give and was tailed off when unseating him at the final hurdle. Harvey told the stewards that he felt it was more greenness than fatigue that led to the unseat.
Close finish
Having recorded her sole previous win on the corresponding card last year, Cathryns Ruby (5/1) defied an absence since March when taking the Download The Tote App Handicap Hurdle over two miles and a furlong
Ridden by Alan O’Sullivan, the nine-year-old daughter of Mahler went on with Crowsatedappletart between the final two flights and outpointed that rival by half a length.
“That was a little bit of a surprise, I thought she might need the run,” said trainer Pat Foley.
“I haven’t overworked her, because last season she wasn’t the strongest. In fairness to Gerard (Berkery, owner), he sent her back this season looking very strong.”
THE Gordon Elliott-trained Scalpnagoon (16/1) gained a breakthrough win over fences in the Jim And Kay Whitty Memorial Handicap Chase over two miles, three furlongs.
Michael Hanrahan’s six-year-old got up in the final strides under Sam Ewing to foil Kobalt St Georges by a head.
Assistant trainer Ian ‘Busty’ Amond, said: “He always runs his race, so it’s grand he’s got his head in front, and he was due one.”
Mist follows up
A maiden winner over course and distance on her previous outing in May, Dromana Mist followed up in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Hurdle over two and a half miles.
Outsider of the seven runners at 33/1, the Poet’s Word filly outstayed Diamond Tipp on the run-in to win by a length and a quarter in the hands of Alice Power.
“She’s probably only 80% fit and we thought she’d take the run,” said winning trainer Patrick John Kiely.
“My wife Sara, and a friend’s wife, own a leg of her each. Paul Quinlan is a man there with me, and ten of the lads working for him own the other half.”
Wisdom begins in wonder
Andy Slattery’s Socrates Smiled landed odds of 11/4 in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares (Pro/Am) Flat Race over two miles and a furlong.
Always prominent, the Blue Bresil newcomer, in the colours of the trainer’s wife Sharon, hit the front over a furlong out and went away to beat Certavi Et Vici by seven lengths.
“We couldn’t see her beat off her work at home,” said Ryan. “Even before her summer break, she was doing it in schooling races and she’s after coming forward physically for the time off.”