AFTER settling for the runner-up position in the first two editions of the race, Enda Bolger struck gold in the McSweeney Arms Hotel Killarney National Handicap Chase as the Mark Walsh-ridden Cantlow pounced late.

Fresh from a second in Punchestown’s La Touche Cup, the J.P. McManus-owned Cantlow was quite at home switching back to regulation chasing and his stamina was a notable asset in this three and a quarter miles contest.

Cantlow (8/1) latched on to the heels of the leading group turning for home. He was still only sixth jumping two out before then clearing the last in a share of fourth.

The front-running Your Busy, the 2014 winner, was clinging on grimly but he succumbed to the relentless Cantlow in the dying strides. Tulsa Jack took third while First Lieutenant, who was trying to concede upwards of a stone to his 14 rivals, was an honourable fourth.

“Mark said they went fast and he took his time. It’s great to have a good sub, Frederici (fifth) was our main hope but he didn’t seem to see it out,” said Bolger. “He’ll probably get an entry in the Galway Plate now.”

Grade 1 regular Clarcam and Jack Kennedy upstaged fellow Gordon Elliott-trained and Gigginstown-owned runner The Game Changer in the Grade 3 Laurels Pub & Restaurant An Riocht Chase. The first graded conditions chase to be run at Killarney attracted just four runners but all of them had either won or been placed at Aintree last month.

Clarcam (100/30) jumped really well and he saw off the front-running Viconte Du Noyer after two out. From here on Clarcam always seemed to have the measure of The Game Changer who didn’t jump as well as he can and a slight error at the last after which he went down by two and a quarter lengths.

Mark Walsh teamed up with Dressedtothenines (9/1) for an all the way success in the Kelly Brothers Sliabh Luachra Hurdle to lead home a one-two for J.P. McManus.

Eddie Harty’s charge hadn’t shown much in four starts over since returning from a two-year absence in December but the former Grade 2 winner relished the switch the smaller obstacles. The favourite, Hidden Cyclone, could not challenge following an untidy round of jumping while Bright New Dawn faded from two out which left Give Me A Break to finish a near four-length second.

“She’s been very disappointing over fences but Mark said she loved being back over hurdles today,” reported the owner’s racing manager Frank Berry.”

Owner Barry Connell also ended the day with a double and he could have plenty to look forward to with Product Of Love (3/1) who was an impressive winner of the lady riders’ bumper.

The Rathcannon point-to-point winner made all the running and had his rivals toiling in vain from early in the straight. He finished with 16 lengths to spare to give Aine O’Connor her first winner in just under two years.

“He looks very smart and he loved what he was doing. He got a super ride from the front and, having spoken to Barry, I’d say we’ll keep him for the winners’ bumper at Galway,” stated Alan Fleming.

Earlier, the Connell-owned Cape City Boy claimed the two and three quarter miles maiden hurdle for Shark Hanlon and Denis O’Regan. The 7/4 favourite did make a few errors during the course of his round but the chasing Work Du Breteau compromised his chances with a couple of late mistakes which allowed Cape City Boy to prevail by a length and a half.

“He’s a big, relaxed, lazy type of horse and he’s a chaser really, he probably won’t spend too long over hurdles. He’ll stay in for the summer and ground on the soft side of good, like it was tonight, is perfect,” declared Hanlon.

O’KEEFFE FAMILY

Hard Station (4/1) produced a fine display from the front in the Dan Linehan’s Bar And B&B Hunters Chase to strike for trainer Joe O’Keeffe and jockey Johnny Barry. The seven-year-old, who boasted a compelling piece of form in his Ballyarthur victory over the subsequent dual hunter chase winner Hurricane Ben, never saw another rival before a three and a quarter lengths win over Mountain Lough.

“The ground is starting to tighten up so we might put him away until the autumn,” reported the trainer. “His dam is a half-sister to Newmill and it’s been an O’Keeffe family for 40 years – my grandfather bought the great-grandam back in 1963.”

The terrific form of the John Kiely yard continued as Conduct Yourself (8/1) took the Robin Parke Memorial Handicap Hurdle on her first outing since November. Brian Hayes produced the Tramore maiden hurdle winner to pick off the front-running Ballyadam Brook after the second last and Conduct Yourself soon scampered clear.

John Kiely’s last 17 runners have yielded six winners and eight placings. The daughter of King’s Theatre carries the colours of Maurice Griffin.

“I thought she’d take this run and we’ll give her a chance to get over this before deciding where to go,” reported the trainer.

Consharon Boy, whose racecourse debut yielded a victory in a point-to-point bumper at Gowran Park, followed up in the two and a half miles maiden hurdle. David Splaine made most of the running on the Zagbreb gelding and when the favourite Improver emptied out after the second last Buckeye Shan was left as the only danger. Consharon Boy (2/1) held him off and he finished with three and a quarter lengths to spare.

“He went to the sales (at Punchestown) but didn’t sell,” declared Terence O’Brien whose gelding carries the colours of Tomas Ahern. “He’ll tip away over hurdles now and once the ground is okay he’ll go for a novice.”

Acting Stewards

P. Barry, P. McLernon, M. O’Driscoll, O. Kearney, S. Quinn

HORSE TO FOLLOW

ITSNOTHINGPERSONAL (E.J. O’Grady): On his first outing since December he finished a creditable third in the handicap hurdle won by Conduct Yourself. He can make his mark in a handicap at some point.

Charm inquiry

THE raceday stewards referred an inquiry into the performance of Davids Charm in the opening maiden hurdle to the Turf Club.

The John Joe Walsh-trained and Ambrose McCurtin-ridden gelding stayed on into third behind Consharon Boy after which the stewards looked into his running and riding.

After hearing evidence from the trainer and jockey as well as receiving a report from the veterinary officer that Davids Charm was blowing hard post race, had returned with a graze to his right hind cannon and a cut to his left hock, the stewards forwarded the matter to the Turf Club.