EASILY the race of the day at this fixture was a superb edition of the Bluegrass Hunters Chase and this contest could well have signalled the emergence of a new force in this division in the David Christie-trained Dylrow.
Previously a three-time winner on the track for Robert Hennessy, Dylrow recently made a winning debut for the Christie yard in a point at Kirkistown but he was taking a quantum leap in terms of class for this race.
Jordan Gainford was on board this 25/1 shot who is owned by Belfast-based Ray Nicholas and the young rider was amply rewarded for a patient effort in this two-and-three-quarter-mile affair.
At various stages in the straight, the former Cheltenham winner Black Hercules, the Grade 1 scorer Edwulf, the very useful hunter Coastal Tiep and Billaway threated to prevail. However, the day belonged to the quietly ridden Dylrow who pounced at the last for a one-length victory over Billaway.
On this evidence, the winner could be a major contender for some top hunter chases later in the season.
Dermot McLoughlin and owners Slattery Bloodstock, who have already enjoyed some good days with Canardier, could have another nice prospect on their hands in Opposites Attract who bagged the INH Stallion Owners EBF Maiden.
This son of Gold Well came into this two-and-a-half-mile affair off an excellent third to Longhouse Poet at Navan several weeks previously and built on that in decisive fashion. The 15/8 favourite subdued the front-running Legacy Thor after two out and soon opened up a decent lead for Conor Maxwell to score by eight lengths. There should be more to come from this gelding.
After winning the inaugural final Red Mills Auction Hurdle series with Zero Ten, Emmet Mullins and owner Annette Mee could have a lively contender for this season’s finale in Russian Diamond.
This five-year-old was returned the 5/4 favourite for the Red Mills Irish EBF Auction Maiden Hurdle on his first outing since beating Risk Factor in a Galway Festival bumper and he turned in an assured effort under Mikey Fogarty. Russian Diamond had this race sewn up from the second last and recorded a comfortable five-and-a-half-length win.
Memorable return visit for Walsh
A RETURN to the track where he rode his first winner on the opening day of the season yielded another day to savour for the promising 7lb claimer Eoin Walsh who notched up a double.
Walsh’s initial success came courtesy of Magic Sea in the Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Hurdle.
This four-year-old was returned a well-backed 9/1 chance to give Banbridge-based trainer Sarah Dawson her first victory since he won a nursery at this track in September 2017 and he rewarded his supporters with a clear-cut success.
The Anthony Passmore-owned gelding finished with some 15 lengths to spare over Rossmore’s Pride.
Walsh then followed up on Sean McParlan’s Drummallagh Rocky in the 0-102 rated Metcollect Handicap Chase who ended a three-and-a-half-year spell without a win. The Martin Ward-owned and bred 16/1 shot made all the running and lasted to defeat Pegase Amour by three lengths.
Farouk D’Alene looks powerful
ON a busy day for Gordon Elliott across all three Irish meetings, the trainer made his presence felt at Down Royal with two winners. The double was brought up by a potentially exciting prospect in the Gigginstown House Stud-owned Farouk D’Alene in the Proparamedics (Pro/Am) Flat Race.
The winning pointer was returned at 4/6 for his racecourse debut and he turned in a powerful front-running effort under Jamie Codd to defeat fellow newcomer Mig Des Taillons by 17 lengths.
Very promising
This very promising son of Racinger is likely to have just one more run this season.
Elliott got off the mark for the day with Isle Of Destiny in the Armstrong Memorial Irish EBF Beginners Chase for horses rated 116 or less over hurdles.
Donoghue on board
Keith Donoghue produced the John Doyle-owned mare to lead coming from two out and the 11/1 chance galloped on strongly to dish out an 11 lengths beating to Theatre World.
UCELLO Conti was found to be slightly lame after pulling up in the hunters chase.
Whip bans
IN the same race J.J. O’Neill picked up a two-day whip suspension for his efforts on the fourth-placed Val De Ferbet.
James O’Sullivan was given a three-day whip ban after partnering Behind The Curtain into second in the auction maiden hurdle.
Dillon Maxwell was given a one-day whip suspension after guiding Mr Bolt into sixth in the handicap chase won by Drummallagh Rocky.