KILCARRY BRIDGE, who put together a string of fine runs in valuable handicaps towards the end of last season, claimed another good prize for trainer John Ryan with an all-the-way triumph in the McHale Mayo National Handicap Chase.

A winner of the Coranna Handicap Hurdle on this card three years ago, the Donagh Meyler-ridden 10-year-old was looking to add this race to his Grade B handicap chase win at Gowran Park in March. That win was achieved on heavy ground but the good to firm going, which led to a number of withdrawals throughout the evening, held no fears for the 8/1 chance.

The ground reduced the initial 13-runner field to 10 contestants, of which three pulled-up through the first half of the race. For his part, Kilcarry Bridge bowled along in front and he found plenty under pressure from the second last to contain the always prominent Aranhill Chief.

At the line, the Darraugh’s Choice Syndicate-owned gelding had a length to spare over Steve Mahon’s gelding, with Definite Ruby a further length and three-quarters back.

“If he hadn’t been carried out to his left in a good handicap chase at Punchestown he would have gone close to winning (finished fourth to Woodland Opera) and I thought he’d a great chance tonight,” said Ryan. “We have both this horse and Kylecrue for the Kerry National but if this horse gets into the Galway Plate he will run there.”

FOX HEADING BACK TO GALWAY

A tilt at the Galway Hurdle is on the agenda for Swamp Fox (8/1) who edged out Polar Present in the McHale Coranna Handicap Hurdle. Joe Murphy’s charge was 16lbs higher than when landing the Listowel Lartigue Hurdle in September but a good showing in a smart Killarney handicap earlier in the month pointed to a bold showing.

Furthermore, the former course winner was reunited with Barry Browne for the first time since the pair struck gold in the amateur rider’s handicap on the opening night of last year’s Galway Festival.

As the runners were waved past the bypassed last flight, Swamp Fox, who carries the colours of Tom Egan, made his bid on the outer and he soon led before holding the rallying Polar Present by a short-head.

“He’s a good, tough, genuine horse who will be aimed towards the Galway Hurdle,” reported Murphy, who hit the crossbar in a couple of group races at the Curragh on Guineas weekend. “He might get an entry in the good handicap hurdle at Killarney prior to Galway and he’ll be going back on the flat too.”

TWO IN TWO FOR DIESEL

Fresh from her victory in Monday night’s feature Is She Diesel (7/2) achieved the notable distinction of making it two wins in as many days in the McHale Pro Glide Mower Range Rated Novice Hurdle over two miles.

The improving five-year-old, who carries the colours of local owner Paul Mullins, once again hurdled well and crucially she produced a much better jump at the last than the challenging Dorans River. This enabled Sean Flanagan’s mount to prevail by a length and a quarter.

The disappointing favourite, Fridaynightlights, was found to be clinically abnormal after pulling-up well before the final flight.

“She stayed down here last night and that has helped her a little bit. It was a worry coming back so quick as we didn’t know how much last night had taken out of her,” commented Fahey. “It’s nice to get two good pots with her and we’ll probably be heading to Galway after this.”

Tom Gibney notched up his first success of the new season as Penance (10/1) took advantage of a critical late error by the front-running joint favourite Timi Roli in the McHale-sponsored two and a half-mile maiden hurdle.

The Jonathan Moore-ridden Penance, who was under pressure sooner than several of his rivals, was given a chance when Timi Roli went out to his left and produced a clumsy jump at the last. This cost the last-named valuable momentum and, while he did recover, Penance came with a sustained charge in the straight to get on top late on.

“I never intended running him on ground like this but my horses were sick in January and February and he was one of the worst affected so he was late getting going,” reported Gibney, who trains the winner for the River Stream Syndicate. “We had to have a go after his last run (second to Dorans River) and he’s handled the ground but that will be it for the summer.”

Paddy Kennedy made it three winners from his last eight rides as Jessica Harrington’s useful hurdler Modem (7/1) bagged the near two and a half-mile McHale Fusion 3 Plus Beginners Chase.

In a race where several of his rivals were undone by their jumping, Modem turned in an assured round of fencing. The Turlough Blessing-owned gelding was left in front when Fire In Soul crashed out with five to jump and he was then able to keep Roconga and Rathvinden at bay. The latter was still a threat at the last but Modem produced the quicker jump, which allowed him to go and win by two and a quarter lengths.

“That was a good performance and he should stay a bit further. As he’s gotten older he’s gotten lazier so a run on the flat at the Curragh on Sunday sharpened him up,” stated Kennedy.

Tower Bridge (7/4) followed up a promising debut fourth at the Punchestown Festival with a smart display in the McHale-sponsored bumper. Joseph O’Brien’s charge faced a decent rival in Special Ted who reached the frame behind Red Jack in a good bumper at Easter but he was much too strong for the odds-on favourite. The Tom Hamilton-ridden gelding quickened up well off the last bend to pull five and a half lengths clear.

“He handled the ground well and picked up well, I thought he was going to have to battle turning into the straight. He’ll head for a winners’ bumper now,” reported J.P. McManus’ racing manager Frank Berry.

MEADE PRAISE FOR COOPER

Noel Meade was full of praise for Bryan Cooper after he got Billy Flight (8/1) home in front in the McHale-sponsored 80-95 rated handicap hurdle over three miles and a furlong. The Gigginstown House Stud-owned gelding had it all to do from the rear of the main group with two to jump but Cooper deftly got his mount into contention and Billy Flight powered home from the last to defeat Kilganer Queen by five and a half lengths.

“He is a slow horse and Bryan has given him some ride. After the last day both myself and Eddie (O’Leary) wanted to pull the plug on him but Bryan said to give him another chance, that he was staying on his races and that he needed to drop in class,” declared Meade. “He’ll be going to the sales in September but he will run away until then.”

Injuries

A NUMBER of jockeys took heavy falls and were stood down for the remainder of the card. David Mullins sustained a suspected wrist injury when he was unseated going to the start of the Coranna Handicap Hurdle. Kevin Sexton was also left with a possible wrist injury following a couple of falls. Paul Townend was reported to be bruised after his tumble from Akito, while Bryan Cooper took a knock to his shoulder when Fire In Soul fell.

Lame

RETOUR En France was found to be lame after pulling-up in the early stages of the Mayo National.

Overweight

J.P. O’Sullivan was given a one-day ban for weighing in 1.1lbs overweight on the fifth-placed Generous Bond in the handicap hurdle won by Billy Flight.

Acting Stewards

R. Groarke, D.H.Gavin, N. Rooney, R.W. Brabazon, H. Hynes

Horse To Follow

BORDER CONTROL (J.P. O’Brien): Shaped up well on his debut to finish third in the bumper. He won’t have too much trouble making his mark in a similar event this summer.