JOSEPH O’Brien maintained his slender lead over Michael Halford at the head of the winter season standings as Dark Vader emerged as the evening’s star turn with a smooth success in the three-year-old six-furlong conditions race.

In the colours of Dan Hayden, Justin Casse and the All In Line Partnership this 90-rated son of Dark Angel was adding to his victory in a seven-furlong maiden at this track in late November. A step-up to a mile just before Christmas proved a bridge too far for this colt but back in distance he produced a quality display.

The heavily supported 2/5 favourite, whose form on turf last year yielded three placings in maidens won by a trio of subsequent pattern race winners, made all the running for Declan McDonogh. Over the course of the last furlong and a half, he readily brushed aside the 84-rated Power Ahead for a resounding two and a quarter-length triumph.

“He quickens well and really helps you as a rider. My lad was loving it in front and put the race to bed nicely. He’s very effective over six and seven furlongs and he had some nice form on grass. He’s a likeable horse,” said an impressed McDonogh.

Michael Halford, who went close to scoring with Simsir at Meydan the previous evening, was also on the mark as Arcanears won the six-furlong handicap to record his second victory of the winter. The improving and well backed 11/8 favourite travelled nicely for Ronan Whelan and knuckled down well to get the better of Tommy Taylor by three-quarters of a length. The three-time winner is owned by his breeder Carol Roper and could well add to his tally over the coming weeks.

After catching the eye with a close third to Hieroglyphic before Christmas the James Barrett-trained Abby Hatcher (11/4) took another step forward in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden over seven furlongs.

The daughter of Acclamation, who is owned by Orpen Horses Limited and Darragh McCarthy, had no difficulty with a stall 15 draw. She moved to the front for Rory Cleary with over a furlong to run and hit the line with three-quarters of a length to spare over the newcomer Orchid Gardens.

“Hopefully she might be able to get blacktype and she might be back here in the spring for a listed race. She was a bit green in front but went about it well,” commented Cleary.

Gamble landed for Jon’s supporters

A NUMBER of course specialists made their mark over the course of the evening and among them was Conor O’Dwyer’s Jon Ess in the seven-furlong handicap. Now a four-time course winner, the Brinkleys Syndicate-owned six-year-old was as big as 20/1 in the morning but sustained support throughout the day saw him returned the 4/1 favourite under Billy Lee.

The first-time visored Jon Ess struck for home with around a furlong to run and he defeated Gougane Barra by a length and a quarter.

One horse trainer William Ross, who was due to start a new job at the start of this week, sent out Everyhouronthehour (11/4) to record his second success of the winter season in the first divsion of the 45-65 rated mile handicap.

The €3,500 yearling purchase, who is also owned by Ross, was ridden by Tom Madden and he got home by half a length from Irish Ambassador.

“He’s a smashing horse and we’re getting a great kick out of him,” stated a delighted Ross. “He should stay further and hopefully we can look forward to a good summer with him.”

The second division of the mile handicap went to a potentially progressive sort in Adnap (7/2) who struck for Dermot McLoughlin and Conor Maxwell. The Sean Gallagher-owned five-year-old was making just the eighth appearance of his career and he duly confirmed the promise of his second to Miracles In May at the start of the month.

He was the last horse off the bridle and appeals as one that can add to his three-quarter length victory over Theoneyouare. Gary Halpin, who rode the fourth-placed Silk Cravat, picked up a six-day whip ban for his efforts.

Kelly’s good fortune

IT was an evening of mixed fortunes for Shane Kelly. He missed the winning ride on Parkers Hill as he was unable to make the weight but he was earlier successful on Noel Kelly’s Wild Shot (100/30). Another polytrack specialist, the Cathal McGuckin-owned Wild Shot had the race in safe keeping shortly after moving to the front inside the last quarter of a mile. He finished with two and a half lengths to spare over No Trouble.

Ben Coen stepped in for the chance ride on Johnny Murtagh’s Parkers Hill (14/1) in the mile handicap. This Paul Smith-owned four-year-old bounced back from an unplaced run earlier in the month.

He took the measure of the front-running Shawaf over the course of the last furlong to prevail by half a length with Bucky Larson third.