JESSICA Harrington’s Jetz indicated that he could develop into a novice hurdler of some substance this winter as he accounted for a couple of quality bumper winners from last season in the two and a half-mile maiden hurdle.

The Gerard McGrath-owned and bred five-year-old showed an encouraging level of form in four runs earlier this year but his return from six months off would suggest that he has progressed well since he was last seen.

After making a considerable amount of the running, the Robbie Power-ridden gelding responded well to pressure to deal with both Monbeg Worldwide and Canardier in the straight. Jetz went several lengths clear after the second last and kept on strongly to finish five lengths ahead of the triple bumper winner Monbeg Worldwide.

“He had problems with his back last season and he did hang left the whole way today,” reflected Power. “He did jump a lot better though and he’ll definitely be better going left handed.”

Harrington and Power added to their tally when Magic Of Light (4/5) secured the two-mile, five-furlong beginners’ chase which was restricted to horses rated 116 or less over hurdles.

The Ann and Alan Potts Limited-owned mare, who won the final of the Martinstown Series at Punchestown last April, ground her rivals into submission from the front. She stretched clear from the penultimate fence to defeat Tinos Tank by six lengths.

“The further she goes the better she is, she stays very well,” reported Power. “She loves fences and really attacks them and on very soft ground you’ll see a better mare.”

The much improved Poormans Hill was an odds-on favourite to bring up a five-timer in the lady riders handicap chase but he was denied by 20/1 chance Witness Of Fashion. Trained locally by Pat Rooney and ridden by American-born Jeannie Cook, who also won on her previous ride, Drakaina, at Limerick last month, the son of Witness Box produced a very game display.

The always prominent Witness Of Fashion was strongly pressed by both The Bay Birch and Poormans Hill from before the last but the 11-year-old, who tends to reserve his best for this track, kept pulling out more. He held off the favourite by a neck to win his first race since New Year’s Day 2016.

“He surprised me as I thought that he’d need the run,” declared Pat Rooney, who intends to turn out his charge back at this track on Wednesday. “He was never really right last year. He got injured early on and I never got him back as he was minding himself all season. The softer the ground the better for him so I was glad to see a bit of rain last night. He got a great ride from Jeannie.”

INTERESTING

An interesting two and a half-mile conditions hurdle saw the Willie Mullins-trained Chateau Conti get his season off to a bright start as he outpointed The Storyteller. The winner made a taking Irish debut last season when picking up a Cork maiden hurdle but he couldn’t build on that and was pulled-up on his final two runs last season.

It was all change on his return to action as the Ruby Walsh-ridden 2/1 chance pounced on the 142-rated The Storyteller at the last and quickened clear to score by two and a quarter lengths. Chateau Conti carries the colours of Edward O’Connell which have been worn with such distinction by Un De Sceaux.

Walsh reported: “That’s a good starting point to his season but we thought we had a good starting point with him last season too and it went downhill so we’ll see how we get on.”

As expected, the card began with a Gordon Elliott winner as Mitchouka justified 1/5 favouritism in the three-year-old maiden hurdle. The Gigginstown House Stud-owned gelding was looking to build on a pleasing second on his Irish debut at Thurles last month and cruised to the front for Davy Russell turning for home.

An awkward jump at the second last gave momentary concern but he was immediately back on an even keel and he was unextended to finish 10 lengths ahead of Tenth Amendment.

“He’s done that well and he’s come on from his first run. He’ll come back here for the Grade 3 juvenile hurdle next month,” stated Elliott.

Donnie Hassett’s first winner for two years landed quite a gamble as Shar Whats Therush was backed from as big as 33/1 in the morning into 9/1 before securing the 80-102 rated two and a half-mile handicap hurdle.

In a first-time tongue tie, the four-year-old stepped forward markedly on his previous efforts and he brushed aside the favourite, Artic Pearl, after the last for a decisive four and a quarter-length triumph.

“He was second in a point last season but he pulled a muscle after that and then he was just very green on his first few runs on the track,” remarked Hassett. “

I thought he’d run better than he did at Listowel last time but he was green in his first handicap and Philip Enright said he was a different horse when we tried him in a tongue tie in a bit of work a few weeks ago.”

On her first outing for Peter Fahey, Roja Dove (8/1) made a victorious return to these shores in the 80-95 rated handicap hurdle.

The Jeremy filly hadn’t won for almost two and a half years and lined up off a mark of 81 having been as high as 124 at her peak but she might well climb the weights again on this evidence.

Roger Loughran drove her into a commanding lead after two out and the pair had more to spare than the winning margin of a length and a half might suggest.

“I’m delighted for the lads (First Times Twenty Six Syndicate) as they paid a lot of money for the first horse they had with me and he never made it to the track and they had no luck with another one either,” reported Peter Fahey.

“She’s leased from Noel Doyle and she will eventually go back to him for breeding. At home she’s been working well but in a lot of her races in the UK she’s been behind the bridle so today was a fact finding mission.”

Brassil injury

CONOR Brassil suffered a broken right leg after falling from Demi Plie.

ACTING STEWARDS

C.P. Magnier, W. Flood, L. McFerran, P. Caffrey, P.D. Matthews

Horse To Follow

GLENABO BRIDGE (O. McKiernan): This gelding was a well-backed 8/1 chance for the handicap won by Roja Dove and he ran creditably on his first outing since February to finish fourth. He should progress.