HAVING recorded a taking triumph at Castletown earlier this month, The Hard Hat (1/1JF) further confirmed he is likely to be a formidable force in open lightweight contests this season with an authoritative victory in the Renvyle House Hotel & Resort & MacDermot & Allen Solicitors open lightweight at Loughrea on Sunday.

The David Christie-handled gelding was never really troubled on this occasion to outpoint his main market rival Klassy and post his fourth success in points in the silks of the Sporting Pointers syndicate.

In the absence of trainer Christie, who was on duty at Navan, winning-pilot Rob James, who was initiating a double remarked: “He loves that good ground. I thought Klassy might get to him turning in but in fairness he quickened really well and winged the last and won on the bridle. He’ll win plenty of opens this year.”

The former novice-champion James concluded his brace in the following Jim Derwin winners of one aboard the admirable Kilna Shane (6/1). An encouraging runner-up at Toomebridge last month, the Gamut-sired gelding fared best late on in a contest where at least half a dozen horses held a chance as the field turned for home.

A similarly game winner of his maiden at Stradbally last term, the six-year-old was providing a welcome tonic to his owner Joseph Delaney. Fellow Ballacolla, Co Laois native Mark Quigley handles the winner and he explained: “I’m delighted for his owner Joe Delaney who couldn’t be here today as he’s under the weather and this will give him a great boost. I’d imagine we’ll probably go for a winners of two now in the next couple of weeks with Kilna Shane.”

The opening, The Costello Family four-year-old maiden, had earlier gone the way of the hooded Ryalex (3/1) who produced a polished front-running display to upstage short-priced favourite Scoresheet in the hands of Declan Queally.

A June foal, the Arcadio-gelding was acquired by his handler Kieran Purcell at the 2014 edition of the Tattersalls Ireland August National Hunt Sale and was fulfilling the promise he displayed on debut at Bartlemy last May.

Victorious Windgap, Co. Kilkenny handler Purcell, who shares the bay with Lissycasey, Co Clare native Aidan Nagle reported: “This is a lovely horse. The summer’s grass has done him all the good in the world. Declan was delighted with him and said he’d plenty left at the line. I am not sure what we’ll do with him next.”

Out of luck with Scoresheet, fellow Co. Kilkenny handler Eoin Doyle was later on the mark as favourite Good Man Hughie (2/1F) obliged in the concluding Easyfix & The Turf Club six-year-old geldings’ maiden. Given an exemplary ride by the capable Ray Cody, the Hugh Curtis-owned six-year-old stuck to his task well to dismiss the well-touted Carraig Thuathail by a couple of lengths. Mooncoin-located Doyle, who was completing a double on the day as he also struck with Swantykay at Cork, disclosed: “I think this fellow was just a bit weak last year. He’s a fine big chasing horse who will be even better in time. I’d imagine we’ll end up going to the track with him next.”

Eleven-time champion rider Derek O’Connor seldom leaves the Dartfield venue empty-handed and last Sunday’s fixture was no different, as he claimed the Rosshill Farm and Leah Haggerty five-year-old and upwards mares’ maiden aboard the Harry Kelly-handled Polly Manning (5/1).

Absent since departing on debut at Killaloe last term, the daughter of Milan was patiently ridden in typical O’Connor fashion throughout and had little difficulty in disposing of Bawnogues Bahri by nine lengths. “We weren’t sure if this mare had the experience for today but she’s a lovely mare with a future. We’ll mind her now.” commented Kelly of the Cork/Carlow-based All The Lads syndicate-owned five-year-old who hails from the family of high-class chaser Mac’s Supreme.

Co Cork raiders had visited the winners’ enclosure half an hour earlier as the nicely-supported Leg Lock Luke (5/2) collected the Pier Head Bar & Restaurant five-year-old geldings’ maiden under Eoin O’Sullivan in the colours of his father Eugene.

The Indian River five-year-old, an eye-catcher when exiting at the penultimate obstacle at Ballysteen last April, showed a likeable turn of foot in the closing stages to outpoint newcomer Breezemount by a length.

Lombardstown-located O’Sullivan senior was on saddling duties at Cork but the triumphant rider stated: “This is a very nice horse who was even a bit green there. We have always liked him. He hated the ground the last day in Athlacca but he stuck at it really well today.”

A family success

The victory of Ryalex in the opening Costello Family four-year-old maiden was certainly a family success, as winning owner Aidan Nagle was on hand to greet his winner in the company of his young son Alex amongst other family members.

Nagle explained how the Arcadio-bay acquired his name: “It’s a combination of my two sons’ names Ryan and Alex. Unfortunately Ryan isn’t here today but I’m sure he’ll be delighted. I’ve been involved in syndicates previously with Kieran and he’s a great fellow. We bought this fellow’s half-brother by Trans Island at the sales last year so it’s nice to have him to look forward to, too.”

The lads cheer in their winning lady

Undoubtedly the biggest cheer of the day was reserved for the victory of Polly Manning in the Rosshill Farm and Leah Haggerty mares maiden. The Milan-mare received a rapturous welcome from members of the six-strong All The Lads Syndicate as she returned to the number one spot.

A jubilant syndicate spokesman Eddie Magnier revealed: “That’s our first ever winner, it’s unbelievable. It’s all the more special as we bred her ourselves. We have a great bunch of lads involved in this syndicate from around Glanworth including my son and a friend of his from Carlow and it really is just mighty altogether. We will have some celebrations tonight.”