A MASTER class in waiting tactics from Ruby Walsh saw Rupert Lamb stage a major revival in his fortunes as he landed the Grade C Download The Free Racing Post Mobile App Handicap Hurdle.

Rupert Lamb needed to improve from an unplaced run at Galway as he went in search of his first win since November 2013 and the switch to waiting tactics worked the oracle on the Madeleine McMahon-owned gelding.

The grey, who made a bad mistake early on, was still at the rear of the main group turning for home but in just a few strides he eased his way into contention after three out and he led jumping the next. The Willie Mullins representative then established a useful advantage which enabled him to account for Draco by three and three-quarter lengths.

“We thought that he was well handicapped on his chase form but he’s let us down,” said Walsh. “We changed tactics today and rode him similar to Bellewstown when he was a bit unlucky behind Tempo Mac. Willie has changed his regime since Galway too and it all worked out today.”

LORDAN DOUBLE

It was a good evening for Wayne Lordan who registered a double which began on Tommy Stack’s Current State in the Kelly Foley & Co. In Association With Lloyd Fitzpatrick Accountants Rated Race over a mile.

As she looked to bounce back from a luckless outing at Galway, the daughter of High Chaparral was returned the 6/1 outsider of the four-runner field. The patiently ridden Current State, who carries the colours of long time Stack owner Peter Piller, came through from last to challenge entering the last furlong and she picked up well to defeat Emperor Bob by half a length. The favourite Jinsha Lake was back in third on his second appearance of the meeting.

“She stays well and will probably get a mile and a quarter,” reported the jockey. “Tommy likes to have a winner down here and he kept her fresh after Galway where she was going to run well until she got badly hampered.”

TOP WEIGHT

Lordan then followed up on Hudson’s Bay (8/1) who shrugged off top weight in the Benchmark Hospitality Handicap over a mile and three quarters. This was a first career success for the five-year-old who looked a horse of major potential when he reached the frame in a Dundalk stakes race on his debut in October 2012.

The free-wheeling Ballyadam Brook initially built up a commanding lead but he petered out in the straight while Hudon’s Bay’s steady effort carried him into the lead with over a furlong to run. He then contained He’s Our Man by a length and a quarter.

“The trip and ground suited and he’s learnt to settle which has helped,” commented O’Mara, who bought the gelding last autumn. “He’s schooled well over hurdles and that’s where his future will lie. I’m delighted for his owner Bart Murphy who is over from San Francisco and is here with all his family tonight.”

Shay Barry notched up his first success for J.P. McManus with After Rain (10/1) in the Plaza Hotel Maiden Hurdle. The Al Namix gelding, whose owner enjoyed a treble at Kilbeggan, was fourth when odds on for a bumper here in May and he then disappointed at Sligo last month. On both occasions he raced too freely.

After Rain travelled powerfully for Barry Geraghty and looked a likely winner from the turn in provided he was able to sustain his effort. This race did witness a couple of fallers at the last two flights but this made no difference to the result as After Rain ran out an easy nine-length winner.

“He’s hard on himself but they went a good gallop which helped and Barry was confident going out that he’d get him to switch off. Hopefully he’ll improve,” stated Barry.

THREE WINNERS

John Oxx and Declan McDonogh ended the meeting with three winners following Gelenschik’s front-running success in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden over a mile and three furlongs. The Moyglare Stud-owned daughter of Dalakhani had shown a solid level of form to be placed behind on her first three outings and she was a 4/5 chance to get off the mark here.

Avizare, who chased the winner throughout, looked a threat at one point in the straight but she was brushed aside and went down by three and a quarter lengths.

“I decided to take the sting out of them as she stays well,” stated McDonogh. “The ground was a worry but they have done a good job on it. We also had to negotiate a photographer who was hanging over the rail with over a furlong to run. I couldn’t believe she was there.”

The well-backed Jefferson Davis (9/2) was far too good for his five rivals in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Nursery. Kevin Prendergast’s charge took full advantage of an initial mark of 75 under a patient Chris Hayes. The Silverton Partnership-owned winner made good progress from the rear to get into contention in the straight and the race was as good as ever when he led with over a furlong to run. He handed out a five lengths beating to the top weight Dancing On Air.

“He’s a nice horse. We fancied him earlier in the year but he was probably racing on the wrong trip and the wrong ground. He was on a reasonable mark tonight and the boss put a visor on him,” declared Hayes.

TWO WINS

Pace And Passion (8/1) made it two wins from her last three outings in the Martinstown Opportunity Handicap Hurdle. The Thomas Farrell-trained mare landed in front on the line at Bellewstown last month but this was much more clear cut as Jody McGarvey sent her into the lead after two out. The Fruits Of love mare, who is owned by Pierce Molony and John Murphy, had a good look at the last and lost valuable momentum but recovered well to fend off the rallying Exhibit Five.

“She was a bit unlucky at Cork last time when she got caught in a pocket. Today she just idled a bit coming to the last but that’s her. She’ll go for something similar,” reported Farrell.

ACTING STEWARDS

P. Barry, M. O’Driscoll, M. McMahon, O. Kearney, P.D. Matthews

HORSE TO FOLLOW

DANCING ON AIR (A.P. O’Brien): This filly was beaten five lengths into second in the nursery but she deserved to finish closer having been pushed wide turning for home and she came up against quite a well treated rival.