RACHAEL Blackmore narrowed the gap to just four (95-91) behind the sidelined Paul Townend in the jump jockeys’ championship when partnering a short-priced treble on the Henry de Bromhead-trained trio The Cathal Don, An Taibhse and Cavalry Master.

The Cathal Don set the ball rolling for Blackmore in the opening two-mile maiden hurdle with Richard Frayne’s Westerner gelding leading after two out and driven out on the run-in to hold fellow 6/5 joint-favourite The Greek by half a length.

“He was a bit disappointing in Limerick but much better there today,” the Grand National-winning jockey reported. “He enjoyed the track and the ground, and hopefully there will be more days to come now.”

Convincing

The Dermody family’s One For Luck Syndicate had their orange and black colours carried to a convincing success by evens favourite An Taibhse in division one of the two-mile–three-furlong maiden hurdle.

The daughter of Flemensfirth jumped well and was just pushed out to score by four and a half lengths.

“She had two lovely runs on heavy ground and she really enjoyed the better ground today. These colours have had a great year and if this one is half as good as Put The Kettle On she’ll be going well,” said Blackmore.

Minella Times won his maiden hurdle at Kilbeggan and so it was appropriate that Blackmore and de Bromhead were responsible for the winner of the Congratulations Minella Times Beginners Chase with Cavalry Master, who scored in impressive fashion.

The 5/4 favourite headed another Gigginstown-owned gelding, Momus, at the third last and the grey son of Milan soon took control for an easy nine-and-a-half-length verdict over Blackhillsofdakota.

“He handled the step up in trip (to two miles and six furlongs) really well. I think he prefers the nicer ground and he also won a bumper around here,” said a delighted Blackmore.

JAMIE Codd is getting plenty of help from the powerful Cullentra House Stables in his bid to regain the amateur riders’ title, and he drew level with great rival Patrick Mullins with a double aboard Buddy Rich and Felicidad.

Buddy Rich recently joined Denise Foster from Martin Brassil’s yard and he took advantage of a good opportunity in division two of the two-mile–three-furlong maiden hurdle. The 8/13 favourite was never too far from the pace and asserted before the last to readily beat Goldwin Magic by five and a half lengths.

“He had good experience and we’d have been disappointed if he hadn’t done that,” said Codd before adding: “It’s for a new owner (John Keegan) in the yard and it’s nice for him to do that. He loves the ground and he’ll jump a fence as well. He’s a nice horse for the summer.”

Codd, who won the amateur championship four years ago, joined Mullins on 45 winners with just the five-day Punchestown Festival remaining of the season when Felicidad made a flawless start over fences in the two-and-a-half-mile mares’ beginners’ chase.

The 5/2 chance added to a Listowel maiden hurdle win last year taking control before the last to beat Reine Fee by four and a half lengths.

“She was the highest rated over hurdles coming into it and she schooled very well at home. Kenny Alexander and Peter Molony very kindly let me ride her and I’m very grateful to them and the lads in the yard,” said Codd. “It was a good start over fences. She handles that ground and I’m sure she could keep going over the summer.”

LONGFORD trainer Paul Flynn also had an evening to remember as he sent out a 1214/1 double with Ask Dee and Soi Cowboy.

The Damian Collins-owned Ask Dee belied odds of 80/1 when taking the three-mile handicap hurdle in great style. The lightly raced nine-year-old took command on the final circuit and kept on really well on the run-in to beat Land Jet by six lengths.

“Paul has always been very good to me and it’s great to ride a winner for him,” said Jack Wildman, who was riding his third winner. “I rode her work a few weeks ago and she worked very well but her form before today wasn’t great.

“She was plenty keen with me early but when she went in front she dropped the bit and I was able to get a breather into her. I thought jumping the second last that she might tie up as she hadn’t run for so long but Paul has done a great job with her.”

Denis O’Regan was seen at his best when giving Soi Cowboy a beautifully patient ride to bring up the Flynn double in the two-and-a-half-mile handicap chase. The easy-to-back 14/1 chance made good headway from well off the pace on the long run between the final two fences, getting up close home to deny front-running Thegoaheadman by a length and three-quarters.

“He was unlucky in Downpatrick where I thought I was just getting into it (fell three out). He learned from the fall and came home well today. He’s very free but switched off and credit to Paul – his horses are in good order,” said O’Regan.

Toms Courage provided the Burke family with a nice success in the two-mile handicap hurdle, the 5/1 chance making good headway to challenge at the last before keeping on well to beat Bold Emperor by a length and a half.

Martin Burke, who rode the seven-year-old for his brother John in the colours of their sister Elaine, said: “He’s after turning a corner this year. He fractured his knee last season after finishing third in Cork and was out for a good while.

“We always thought a lot of him and I’d say he’ll be fairly good when he goes over fences.”