GARY Carroll bagged a double at the rescheduled meeting at Bellewstown on Thursday on a red-letter day for rookie trainer Ian Donoghue.

The local handler made the breakthrough under rules when Tellthemi’mhere stayed on stoutly to land the Lougher Stables Handicap on the card.

Carroll got a good tune from the Belardo filly in the closing stages as she chased down Elmos Fire to record a length-and-a-half win at odds of 15/2.

It was a first ‘track’ success for Donoghue who has saddled a few point-to-point winners in recent years and he said afterwards:

“It’s nice to get it. We thought we had a few ready when I got the licence first, I think the first seven all finished in the prize money.

“We didn’t really think it would be her. She was bought in an online sale, we said we’d buy her and see what she is and she might go jumping. She probably will end up going jumping.

“She’s fit, she galloped last Friday around Dreapers on that ground with four-year-old point-to-pointers. We knew she’d stay, we weren’t worried about that.

“There are a few lads involved along with my dad (Michael).

“It’s nice to get off the mark, my main business would be pre-training and breaking for Gavin Cromwell, and John McConnell as well.”

Double up

Carroll went on to double up on the Cromwell-trained Theonewedreamof in the mile-six handicap.

The 7/4 favourite was produced to lead two furlongs out and kept on well in the closing stages to post a half-length win over Too Bright.

“She didn’t travel very well early but gets the trip well. She stuck at it well and she was game,” said Cromwell, who trains the French Navy filly for the Golfcrest Syndicate.

“She was probably in front soon enough and I thought she might have pulled herself up but she stayed going well. I’ve no plan but she can mix it.”

JAMES McAuley revealed that he is making hay as the rapeseed grows following his success with Tawaazon in the Bright Software Handicap.

The Invincible Spirit gelding has been a revelation since joining the yard and recorded his third win from four starts for the Naul handler.

Colin Keane tracked the leaders on the 11/10 favourite before sending him on over a furlong out to record a length-and-a-quarter win from It’ll Do My Day.

“That was brilliant. He’s tanking through races now and keeps surprising us,” said McAuley. “Our yard is absolutely surrounded by rapeseed so we’re keeping busy now because everyone says when you get that your summer could be gone. We’ll keep them busy and if it starts affecting them at least they’ve been tipping away. He’ll rock up at the Curragh next weekend again.”

Keane went on to complete a double on the card when the Ger Lyons-trained Star Kissed justified her short price in the concluding Compas Stallions Maiden.

The Newtown Anner-owned daughter of Sea The Stars had been narrowly denied on both starts last season and went to post an 8/13 shot in the mile-and-a-half contest.

She led over two furlongs from home and kept on well through the testing conditions to post a length-and-a-half win over Douglas Dc.

“That’s job done. We were delighted that the race was put back as there are no races for four-year-old and upwards maidens until, I think it’s the 8th of May,” said assistant Shane Lyons. “I’m not saying she’s ground dependent but she’s a big filly and would appreciate a cut. We were very worried that we’d have to wait for so long for the next maiden.

“The whole objective was for her to come today and get her maiden out of the way and then progress. Onwards and upwards with her and the aim is blacktype.”

POLAR Bear burst through in the final furlong to land the spoils in the feature race, His Majesty’s Cup Rated Race.

Sam’s Xpress took them along in the five-furlong contest but was pressed by Escaping Thejungle inside the final furlong.

Polar Bear came between the pair to launch his challenge, under Shane Foley, and the 100/30 shot got on top inside the final 100 yards to post a three-quarters-of-a-length win over the latter.

Assistant Kate Harrington said: “We’re very happy with him. He’s been gelded over the winter and Shane felt that he really wants to do it now.

“He took a while to get his head in front last season but he’s gotten an awful lot stronger over the winter.

“We’ll step him up gradually and he’s a nice horse for his connections (Fiona Carmichael) to have fun with. Stepping up in trip will be no problem and I think he goes on any sort of ground.”

Cosy winner

Rhythm King revelled in the testing conditions earlier on the card when running out a cosy winner of the INPBA On Track Bookmakers Handicap over the extended seven furlongs Gavin Ryan led two furlongs out on the 5/1 shot and he was soon in control, going on to post a three-and-a-half length win over Secret Sauce.

Mark Fahey, who trains the winner for Clare Lennon, said afterwards: “He’s a grand horse, once the ground is soft. He really needs soft ground.

“He won well in Gowran in soft last year and was unlucky in Galway. He won very well here today and he’s something to look forward to.”

Confidence

Ben Coen’s confidence that Fast Tara would handle the ground was well founded as she ran out a cosy winner of the opening Irish Stallion Farms EBF Median Auction Maiden.

The Johnny Murtagh-trained filly went to post 7/4 favourite and led two furlongs out for a length-and-three-quarters win over Hokusai.

She was welcomed by a big crowd of owners from Syndicate Racing in the enclosure.

Coen said: “Being by Fast Company I was confident enough coming here on that ground. She seems to have strengthened up from last year. I probably hit the front too soon but there was nothing bringing me there.”