ON her first start since her brilliant display in the Mares’ Novice Hurdle at Cheltenham, Concertista made a hugely impressive return in the Grade 2 Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Hurdle.

The Willie Mullins-trained six-year-old was returned at 6/4 to win her first race in Ireland and at all stages of the race Paul Townend exuded the utmost confidence on the Simon Munir and Isaac Souede-owned daughter of Nathaniel.

As the race began in earnest turning for home, Townend was still sitting motionless and he had yet to ask Concertista for her effort as she jumped the last flight in second. On the run-in, the market leader barely needed to be nudged out for a cheeky one-and-three-quarter-length success over Minella Melody, with 14 lengths back to Queens Brook.

“The two-and-a-half-mile trip was no problem to her and I’d imagine she will go on to Christmas now. Whether she will have to take on the boys I don’t know” declared the champion trainer.

Poise

Earlier, Monkfish’s chasing debut in the Jim Ryan Racecourse Services Beginners Chase simply could not have gone any better. The Albert Bartlett winner oozed class and poise throughout this race as he jumped well and efficiently and travelled with the utmost ease. He had any amount to spare at the finish where passed the post four lengths clear of stablemate Ontheropes.

Obviously, tougher tests will soon lie in wait, but Willie Mullins and Susannah Ricci couldn’t have asked for any more from the 1/3 favourite in this two-mile, five-furlong affair.

“Paul was very pleased with him. His jumping looked very good and I’d say he has grown up a good bit since last year. We will look at Christmas with him too,” remarked Mullins.

Hook Up, who was highly tried in two runs last season, gave Mullins and Townend their third winner of the day in the first division of the Kettles Country House Supporting Fingal Ravens GAA Maiden Hurdle.

Bold effort

The Susannah Ricci-owned daughter of No Risk At All produced a bold effort from the front and by the time a well-strung-out field neared the straight, her only danger was likely to come from Gars De Sceaux. That one was quickly beaten off before the second last which allowed the winner to come home a dozen lengths clear.

“I was keen for Paul to let her about her business early and get her jumping and the mare had the same idea.

“We tried holding her up last season which didn’t suit her. I’d imagine we will look to run her back at Christmas,” commented Mullins.

“She’s not the biggest mare but she seems to have a nice engine.”

Impact Factor has plenty of improvement in reserve

IMPACT Factor (11/1) was produced in great shape for his first run since May 2019 as he turned the two-mile Grade B Easyfix Equine Handicap Chase into a decidedly one-sided affair.

Jessica Harrington’s talented charge moved to the front for Sean O’Keeffe with three to jump and from the next this eight-year-old held a commanding advantage. Another good leap at the final fence put the seal on a nine-length triumph for this Robcour-owned son of Flemensfirth.

“He missed last season with a little injury and we’ve done plenty of slow work with him but he haven’t pushed any buttons with him so that was a nice surprise. There’s plenty of improvement in him,” reported the trainer’s daughter Kate.

Twoney’s triumph

It was a day to live long in the memory for rider Emma Twomey who made her first ride over fences a winning on Henry de Bromhead’s Kavanaghs Corner (14/1) in the Rybo Ladies National Handicap Chase over two miles and five furlongs.

Twomey (24) produced the strong-travelling 11-year-old to tackle the bold-jumping Braeside at the final fence and the pair took charge on the run-in to score by three-quarters of a length.

The Bridget O’Flynn-owned Kavanaghs Corner was recording his fifth career success and his third since coming to Ireland.

“He jumped brilliantly for Emma and I’m delighted for her. Emma has been with us on and off for years and wanted to come back and give the race riding a go. She’s been doing great and I’m delighted for her, the horse and the owners,” remarked de Bromhead.

Plenty to look forward to with Keskonrisk

THERE were some nice types on show elsewhere on the card and Joseph O’Brien has plenty to look forward to with Keskonrisk (6/5) who pounced late in the second division of the Kettle Country House Supporting Fingal Ravens GAA Maiden Hurdle.

A winner of a bumper here on New Year’s Day for Timmy Hyde, this Mike Grech-owned son of No Risk At All produced a taking effort under J.J. Slevin on his first outing since then to run down Indigo Breeze after the last and score by a short head.

“He’s a lovely horse and he will improve. J.J. said he travelled very well and while it took him a little time to get going he does have a turn of foot. He’s done it nicely and you’d like him,” declared assistant trainer Brendan Powell.

Charging home

Noel Meade took the wraps off a smart-looking type in Highland Charge (12/1) who bested the Mullins-trained odds-on favourite Reality Cheque to make a winning debut in the Willie Elliott Memorial (Pro/Am) Flat Race.

The Gigginstown House Stud-owned son of Fame And Glory showed a fine attitude for Pat Taaffe as he dug in splendidly under pressure over the furlong and a half to take the measure of the front-running favourite.

The winner shifted left and hampered the runner-up in the closing stages but a stewards’ enquiry made no change to the result, although Taaffe picked up a two-day suspension.

“He’s a lovely, big horse who was just very backward and he didn’t show much last year but he has improved plenty. I would imagine he will stay in bumpers this season,” reported Meade. “Pat is riding out for me two days a week and I think he rides very well and he’s a lovely young man who should do well.”

Three wins

Barry Connell’s King Alex achieved the notable feat of notching up three wins in succession in the Irish Racing Industry Fundraiser For Children’s Health Foundation Crumlin In Memory Of Pat Smullen Handicap Hurdle.

The improved six-year-old made almost all the running for Mark Bolger and recovered well from clouting the second last to defeat Millen To One by seven and a half lengths.

The victorious 7/2 joint-favourite could now switch to fences for an opportunity handicap chase on the final day of Leopardstown’s Christmas meeting.