FOR the second time this season, Ontario crossed the line in front in a maiden but unlike last month at Fairyhouse the Aidan O’Brien-trained colt was allowed to keep his victory in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden.

This two-year-old son of Galileo, who was demoted for causing interference last time, was the 2/5 favourite to become the sixth consecutive winner of this race for the Ballydoyle trainer and he swept into a clear lead for Wayne Lordan entering the last furlong.

However, he was all out at the line to hold Snowy Owl by a short head and possibly a return to seven furlongs will show this colt off to best effect this year.

“It’s pretty soft ground out there and a mile is a long way for two-year-olds on it but it’s nice the horse has got that after the last day. I think he could progress very well over the winter,” declared Lordan.

Lightning strikes

The other two-year-old race on the card provided trainer Paddy Hayes with this first winner since he landed the 2019 Bishopscourt Cup at the Punchestown Festival as Lightning Jock struck at 16/1 in the Foran Equine Irish EBF Auction Maiden.

After a really pleasing debut fourth at Cork last month, this Charles McIntyre-owned son of Lawman left Fran Flood’s yard and he confirmed that initial promise under Shane Foley.

Picked up

Lightning Jock launched a sweeping effort on the outside of the field approaching the straight and he sustained that to account for Lightning Boltz by two and a half lengths.

“He’s done it well. He picked up very well and handled the ground well and Paddy and Alan, who ride out in Jessie’s, liked his chances today,” stated the rider.

Shane Foley then brought up a double when Dark Voyager won the 50-70 rated McDonagh Capital Investments Handicap over just short of a mile and a half. This Willie Mullins-trained and Jackie Mullins-owned son of Raven’s Pass found only Flying Scotsman too strong here at the start of the week and he went one place better here.

Foley could even afford to take his time and wait before committing his mount to the front which he eventually did in the straight .

The 13/8 favourite was a rather comfortable three-length winner over Allora Yeats.

Double for Ryan as Rain King and Sirjack Thomas deliver

DONNACHA O’Brien and Gavin Ryan were out of luck with Snowy Owl in the opener but in the MansionBet-sponsored three-year-old maiden over a mile, The Rain King (15/8) justified his position as favourite.

This colt didn’t appear to step forward from his placed debut when only seventh to Delphi at the Curragh but the form of either of his first two runs looked sufficient and he had plenty to spare in defeating Roundel by two and three-quarter lengths.

“He was a bit disappointing last time but this looked a good opportunity and he’s done it well and the ground was no problem for him.

“We’ll see how he is rated before settling on plans,” commented the trainer.

Double

Ryan then made it a double on Sirjack Thomas in the O’Leary Insurances Handicap. Just like Ryan’s Tuesday night feature winner Saltonstall, this five-year-old is trained by Adrian McGuinness for Dooley Thoroughbreds and he was breaking an 11-month, 16-race losing spell.

The well-backed 11/2 chance didn’t enjoy the smoothest of runs at a vital point on the approach to the straight but to his considerable credit he recovered well and he finished strongly to edge out the 7/2 favourite Annexation.

“He worked with Saltonstall last week and it was a cracking piece of work,” reported McGuinness. “He will go back hurdling at Listowel I’d say but we’ll give him another go on the flat before then.

“We thought he wanted good ground but it doesn’t look like it.”

Progressive

The progressive Next In Line followed up a win at Gowran Park the previous week with a smart-front running effort in the MansionBet-sponsored three-year-old mile handicap.

James Barrett’s charge had to overcome a wide draw and a drop in trip but she showed in the front from the outset for Luke McAteer.

The daughter of Excelebration kept on well in the straight when she was pressed by Soaring Monarch to carry the day by a length and a quarter for the Formula Four Syndicate.

“I told Luke to make her stamina count and I knew when she met the hill that she would keep going.

The winning three-year-old was declared to run at Sligo yesterday (Friday).