IT was over two years since he last won a race but the returning Flight Risk showed that the considerable ability that has been in evidence throughout his career is still firmly intact as he swept aside his opponents in the Group 3 Oliver Brady Memorial Shabra Charity Ballycorus Stakes.

Back in April 2015 Flight Risk was a 50/1 winner of the Group 3 Gladness Stakes and though he was without a win since, he had run some fine races in defeat. Indeed his 30-race career prior to this had featured some 14 placings at group and stakes level and he turned out better than ever on his first run since being gelded during the winter.

An ultra-cool Kevin Manning bided his time off a searing early pace and Flight Risk (12/1) was still stone last nearing the last quarter of a mile. The Jackie Bolger-owned six-year-old was still going especially well though and he enjoyed a charmed run through on the inside rail which saw him strike the front at the furlong pole. From there he quickly dealt with the English raider Don’t Touch to score by two and a half lengths.

“We always knew that he had a big performance in him,” said Bolger, who may aim his charge at next month’s Group 2 Minstrel Stakes at the Curragh. “There is probably better to come when everything falls right for him. I’d say he could go up to a mile but he has run well over six furlongs too. That’s the first time he’s run well on that good ground and maybe he’s hardening up.”

Lethal Steps (5/2) could be a two-year-old with quite a future on the evidence of his debut success in the six-furlong Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden. In the colours of Redpender Stud man Jimmy Murphy, the son of Lethal Force didn’t enjoy the smoothest of passages and he had to wait for some room to make a meaningful challenge in the straight.

When he did get into the clear though the Colin Keane-ridden colt picked up very smartly to nail fellow newcomer Dawn Delivers on the line. There should be a lot more to come from Lethal Steps and a step up to stakes level should hold no fears for him.

“Physically he’s only coming now and seven furlongs is going to be his trip. I would have been happy with a positive run tonight,” declared Lyons. “He’s a horse we’ve always liked. He holds a couple of early closing entries and I think there is huge improvement in him.”

WORTH THE WAIT

Petticoat’s return to action was well worth the wait as she ran out a decisive winner of the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden and she may be able to hold her own at a higher level now. One of three Godolphin runners, the 9/2 shot was running for the first time since chasing home Aneen in a maiden at the Curragh in October.

Petticoat had half the field to pass at the top of the straight but she soon launched a sweeping challenge on the outer for Shane Foley and this got her to the front heading into the last furlong. She kept on strongly to finish with two and a quarter lengths to spare over Belle Boyd.

“She’s a big, tall filly and has just taken a little time to come to hand,” declared Halford. “She picked up in good style and you’d have to be impressed with that, they looked a nice bunch of fillies beforehand. She’s a smart filly and will be able to go another two furlongs.”

Poitin (12/1) notched up her sixth win for trainer Keith Clarke as she returned to form in the 10-furlong rated race. The vastly experienced six-year-old lined up looking for her first win on turf and put herself in with every chance nearing the last furlong. At this stage victory could have gone any one of four ways but Poitin answered Robbie Downey’s every call to edge out Rummaging by a neck.

“I was just hoping for a bit of spark from her tonight and she’s a bit better treated on turf than she is on the all weather. I must give a lot of the credit to Kenny McCrossan who looks after her every day at home,” commented Clarke, whose charge is owned by the Phoenix Bloodstock Syndicate.

O’DWYER IN GOOD FORM

Trump Card (13/2) continued Conor O’Dwyer’s good run of form by landing the Outcider Handicap over an extended mile and a half. The red-hot Billy Lee had the four-year-old well placed throughout and the pair struck the front over a furlong from home before keeping on well to defeat Ard Na Carraig by three-parts of a length. Trump Card is owned by the trainer’s wife Audrey and was giving O’Dwyer his first flat winner on turf.

“He’s a good, genuine fun horse and he’s been placed over hurdles so we’ll hopefully have plenty of fun with him over the summer,” remarked O’Dwyer. “He ran over a mile and a quarter at Fairyhouse last week and that trip was probably just a bit on the sharp side for him. Billy gave him an absolute peach of a ride.”

The card concluded with a dramatic amateur rider’s maiden where Miles To Memphis struck for Denise Foster and Lisa O’Neill but only after Constancio and James Dowling crashed though the rail a furlong from home.

At this point, Constancio was in front and looked to be holding on well but he went through the rail which left the Jules Sigler-owned Miles To Memphis (8/1) to finish six lengths ahead of Magna Cartor.

Happily both Dowling and Constancio emerged unscathed. Dowling later reported to the stewards that the horse ducked through the rails of his own accord.

“I’m so happy for this horse. He’s the most genuine horse I know and he just loves to gallop,” observed the winning trainer. “He’s won over hurdles doesn’t jump that well but he travels so well I’ve been looking forward to trying him on the flat. He’s my first winner here.”

Aidan O’Brien’s Auckland has come into his own since Leopardstown’s summer season got underway and he made it two wins within a month in the three-year-old mile handicap. A week after taking second in a 10-furlong handicap at this track, the son of Galileo and Airwave coped well with the drop back in trip.

When he switched out to challenge inside the last couple of furlongs the 2/1 favourite picked up well. Seamie Heffernan’s mount headed the top-weight Rock In Peace inside the distance and held the staying-on Allography by half a length.

Acting Stewards

T.Hunt, C. Magnier, P. Caffrey, M. Magnier, P.D. Matthews

Horse To Follow

LETHAL STEPS (G.M. Lyons): This colt is hardly an original choice following his maiden triumph. However, there was a lot to like about this debut effort and a step up in grade to stakes level should be on the way..