THE angle of the sun meant that the first two maiden hurdles on the card didn’t present their contestants with the sort of jumping test that would ordinarily be the case but even so one couldn’t but be impressed with the effort of Delvino in the mares’ maiden hurdle.

In what looked a quality affair, Delvino lined up with impressive credentials having won a Down Royal bumper last March and before that coming second in a race at Navan where she finished a place in front of Ballyadam.

Despite this Dermot McLoughlin’s charge was allowed to go off at 9/1 but her display was more like that of an odds-on shot.

The Tilly Conway-owned daughter of Dylan Thomas travelled nicely throughout for Adam Short and on the long run for home – the two flights in the straight were omitted – she looked to have matters in hand. When she was asked to take the measure of the classy bumper mare Castra Vetera rounding the last flight, she did so in fine style and finished with four lengths to spare. She will be a formidable rival for any mare in the novice division this season.

“She relished the conditions. It looked a really competitive race but she is a good mare. Christmas will probably come too soon for her but in the new year she will hopefully be up to running well in some good races,” stated McLoughlin.

Willie Mullins ended the day with two winners and he unleashed another very smart-looking mare in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Flat Race in Take Tea. Patrick Mullins was on board this daughter of Flemensfirth, who is owned by his mother Jackie. The 11/8 favourite set off in front, cruised through the race on the bridle and was unextended in the straight to beat her discouraged rivals by 11 lengths.

“That’s what she’s been showing at home. Everything about her says she’s a blacktype mare. I don’t know whether the owner will want to breed off her or whether she’s for sale but either way she’s going to be exciting,” declared the winning rider.

Smart mare

Earlier, Willie Mullins and Paul Townend enjoyed a clear-cut success with Echoes In Rain (13/8) who returned from almost a year off in The Irish Field Supporting Irish Maiden Hurdle.

The field for this four-year-old only race set off at a crawl but Townend soon allowed the Barnane Stud-owned filly to stride on.

Only four flights had to be jumped and the dual French flat winner went an uncontested lead which saw her cross the line with 15 lengths to spare.

Connell on a roll

A FINE first season as a trainer for Barry Connell took another turn for the better after Espanito Bello ran riot in the Ballymore Beginners Chase.

A winner of a bumper and a maiden hurdle at this track, the 131-rated six-year-old was making his third appearance over fences and produced by far his best effort in a race where the sun meant that two fences in the straight were omitted.

Very few horses got involved as Coko Beach and the odds-on Lord Royal duelled for the lead but the Mark Bolger-ridden steadily closed in on that pair over the last mile. Lord Royal cracked turning which left Coko Beach in charge but the latter had no response as Espanito Bello (12/1) surged past to finish with 18 lengths to spare.

“He ran well behind Janidil here last month when he made a few novicey mistakes and he learnt from that,” reported Connell. “I think he could come back here for the Grade 3 Woodlands Novice Chase in January and I don’t think he’ll have any problem stepping up to three miles there.”

Oneknightmoreihope looked a handicapper on the up as he made short work of his rivals in the 80-95 rated Lawlor’s Of Naas Handicap Hurdle. A first winner on the track in two and a half years for owner-trainer Noel Glynn, the five-year-old son of Sholokhov was returned a well-backed 3/1 favourite as he looked to build on a recent second to Ballyshannon Rose at Limerick. Jack Gilligan, whose brother received a 10-day ban as a result of the running and riding enquiry which ensued from the winner’s Limerick run, struck for home after two out and the pair pulled nine lengths clear of the field.

Notable first

It was a day to cherish for trainer Louise Lyons as she recorded her first success as trainer when Epsion Du Chenet bagged the 0-109 rated handicap chase over two miles.

A former three-day event rider who represented Ireland at Olympic level, the trainer has steadily brought this gelding, owned by her partner Nicholas Teehan, to peak form.

Ryan Treacy was on board the 5/1 favourite who defeated Shopping Around by three lengths. Louise Lyons has previously pre-trained the likes of Shanahan’s Turn and Ten Year Ticket while this was a milestone success for Treacy as he was riding out his claim.

“I wasn’t sure if he was fit enough or if he’d handle the ground but he has really come on from his last run at Thurles when he was third and he’s after settling down a lot,” reported the winning trainer.

The last of the day’s maiden hurdles was confined to horses who had never previously been placed and victory here went to Margaret Mullins and her son Danny as Free Thought came good at the fourth attempt. The 100/30 favourite had run to a solid standard on her first three runs and she showed a good attitude here after striking for home before two out. Just when Ensel Du Perche and Pictures Of Home threatened to close in after the last the daughter of Mountain High pulled out more to score by half a length. The winner is jointly owned by his trainer and Gerard Mullins.