MACGILONEY, who has been such a splendid advertisement for the talents of trainer-rider Denis Hogan, made it nine career wins as he once again showed his liking for the demands of Ballybrit in the Deacy Gilligan Hurdle.

A winner of a three-mile handicap hurdle at the summer festival, the Michael Moloney-owned gelding then pulled up on his next start but he was restored to peak form here and coped splendidly with a drop in trip to an extended two miles and five furlongs.

Front-running tactics mightn’t have been ideal for Hogan’s charge but they were no barrier to success this time and he had plenty left in reserve for when it mattered most. He could afford to give the last flight loads of air before keeping on well to defeat Quirt Evans by just over three lengths.

The winner hampered the runner-up early on the run-in which resulted in Hogan picking up a two-day careless riding ban. Sadly, the odds-on favourite Jazzaway pulled up on the run-in with what proved a fatal injury.

“That’s not the way to ride him but I had no choice as there was no pace. This trip is even a bit sharp for him and he’s probably a horse for the summer nationals,” remarked Hogan whose versatile charge has been able to make his mark in the depths of the winter.

Hypnos again

Son Of Hypnos got on a roll when striking on the flat at this meeting last year and another visit to Galway in September yielded another victory for Kevin Smith’s charge in the 80-109 rated angloprinters.ie Handicap Hurdle over two miles.

The Shane Fitzgerald-ridden gelding got the second last flight wrong when looking to make his way through on the inner which meant that he had to switch out and circle the leaders turning for home.

He still had plenty to do from a share of third at the last flight but the 11/1 chance finished strongly to edge out Donthavetime in the final strides.

The winner is owned by the trainer’s father Kevin.

THE Tote-sponsored beginners’ chase was hit by a couple of notable non-runners but it still produced a likeable winner in Breakeven who added this two-and-a-quarter-mile affair to his bumper and maiden hurdle successes from last season.

On his first outing since April, the Tom Mullins inmate steadily recovered from an early mistake to produce a nice effort from the front under Sean O’Keeffe. He always looked to be in control on the long run for home before reaching the line just over two lengths ahead of the well-backed favourite Rightplacerightime.

“He got the job done without being too spectacular I thought. We could keep him on the go until Christmas and he might be back here for next year’s festival,” said the trainer.

Sean O’Keeffe was also successful on Tullyhogue Fort (7/1) in the first division of the 80-95 rated handicap hurdle over two miles, five furlongs.

Fort commands

A first winner since 2004 for Clare-based trainer John O’Neill, Tullyhogue Fort went to the front early on and produced a commanding display to win by six and a half lengths. This Aisling and Janeanne O’Neill-owned gelding could easily be placed to further advantage on this evidence.

A heavy fall at the first flight resulted in Philip Byrnes being taken to hospital for further assessment.

Molloy back

The other division of that handicap went to Mark Molloy who has recently returned to the training ranks and has now won with both horses under his care.

Molloy turned to crack amateur Derek O’Connor as he gave Farrawaybay (9/1) her handicap debut and the Baltilly Partnership-owned mare produced a strong finishing effort to nail Well Joey as the line loomed.

“Any day you win here is a special day and with Derek riding as well it’s a pleasure. We’ll keep it small and simple with this mare,” reflected Molloy.

Tide turning for Brouder

AN upswing in the fortunes of Gavin Brouder continued as he captured the Kenny Developments Maiden Hurdle on the James Nash-trained Hammersmith (3/1) who bounced back from an unplaced flat run at Down Royal three days previously.

This Michael and John O’Flynn-owned five-year-old, whose only previous success came in a six-furlong Curragh nursery, dominated this race from the front and finished 11 lengths clear of Clondaw Bertie.

“His work has always been very good and maybe he might get a bit of confidence back after that,” declared Nash. “He’s a fine, big horse who jumps well and wants really nice ground. It’ll get a bit tougher with him from here but it’s nice to go and win a maiden and there might be something for him in Listowel.”

Lady accelerates

De Lady In Red (2/1), who showed promise in two maiden hurdle runs in the spring, made a winning debut for Barry Connell in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares INH Flat Race.

Barry O’Neill’s mount, who travelled best of all before looking like she could be in trouble coming out of the dip, ran straight and true off the last bend on her first start since March and this was the decisive factor.

By contrast, her chief rival Jesina ceded ground when running off the last bend before continuing to look errant in the straight. De Lady In Red forged on in the closing stages to win by two lengths.

“She had very good hurdles form and we weren’t sure whether she’d be a bumper mare or not as she probably wants a trip. He had to go to the castle to pull her up so she’s probably done well to win over two miles,” remarked Connell who could send his charge over hurdles at Roscommon later in the month.

At a track where he has enjoyed some great days in the past, Michael Winters sent out Doldido to take the Kenny Developments Handicap Chase which provided the grey with the third success of his career. The 4/1 favourite was given a canny ride by Jordan Gainford to land in front on the line and defeat Twilight Girl by a nose.

“I told Jordan not to commit him to early as he might empty him up the hill and he’s given him an absolute peach. He’s a horse who likes nice ground,” remarked Winters.