DANNY Murphy made the perfect start to a second stint at training in Ireland, with his Ocean Baroque claiming the most valuable prize at Cork on Wednesday, the Irish EBF Auction Series Nursery Handicap.

The first leg of a brace for Conor Stone-Walsh, the Caravaggio grey was sent off at 9/2 and, fitted with cheekpieces for the first time, he was settled behind the leaders.

Getting to the front a furlong and a half from home, the €17,000 yearling purchase was soon ridden and kept up the gallop in the closing stages, ultimately winning by a length and a quarter for owners John Kirkland and Jim and Geraldine Ryan.

Murphy, who recently worked as assistant trainer to Kieran Cotter, said: “I only got my licence last week and this was my first entry. I’m on the Curragh now in Rossmore Cottage Stables and I’ll be busy at the sales.

“I trained in Ireland from 1989 to ‘94 and I’ve trained over 1,000 winners abroad, winning some good races such as the Singapore Gold Cup.”

Second double

Stone-Walsh completed the second double of his fledgling career when guiding the Munster Racing Partnership-owned Run Forrest Run to a convincing success in the Mallow Handicap.

Returned a 4/1 joint-favourite, the Micky Fenton-trained five-year-old came from off the pace and surged to the front over a furlong out, stretching clear in the closing stages to win by three and three- quarters of a length.

“The track probably didn’t play to his strengths at Listowel, but he loves six furlongs and that ground, so everything played to his strengths today,” the Co Wexford apprentice disclosed.

The Denis Cullen-trained Zephron (11/2) was also in action at Listowel last week and while second there, he went a place better in the concluding Follow Us On Twitter Handicap.

Drawn out wide and towards rear early on, the Ivawood bay made gradual progress on the outer under Leigh Roche and was ridden to the front with over a furlong to race.

Soon pressed by Breezy Zoff (9/2 favourite), he battled on gamely in the closing stages, seeing off the market leader by half a length.

“He is a good genuine handicapper on soft ground and if Garry (O’Gorman, handicapper) isn’t too hard on him, hopefully he’ll go in again,” winning owner and on-course bookmaker Colm White remarked.

THE Listed Irish Stallion Farms EBF Navigation Stakes looked an open race on paper, but it transpired to be a rather one-sided affair, with Foniska dominating from the front.

Out of Group 2 winner Bocca Baciata, the Jessica Harrington-trained bay didn’t go unsupported and went off a 12/1 chance (from 25s) in the colours of Flaxman Stables Ireland.

Ridden by Shane Foley, the 97-rated bay increased her advantage from the two-furlong pole and soon had all her rivals in trouble, going on to score by a convincing three lengths.

“She has enjoyed making the running in the past,” said Foley. “She had a good run in the Salsabil on deep ground and I think the ground is key to her. Her work has really come on in the last couple of weeks and we were quietly confident today.”

Benefit

Bonbon was another to benefit from prominent tactics, as she made the breakthrough on her third start in the opening Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden.

Always towards the head of affairs, the Joseph O’Brien-trained 8/1 chance was pushed along and gained a definite advantage over a furlong from home.

Soon ridden by Wayne Hassett, she increased her lead in the closing stages, coming home two and a half lengths to the good in the colours of the Glamour and Glory Syndicate.

“She had a nice run first time out and at Naas the last day, she seemed to hang on good ground,” Sean Corby, representing O’Brien, commented. “The ground today probably helped her a lot and she did it nicely.”

While predominantly associated with O’Brien’s Owning Hill setup, Dylan Browne McMonagle broke new ground by partnering Helpmeout (8/1) to victory in the Follow Us On Social Media Handicap.

Teaming up with Willie McCreery for the first time, the Co Donegal pilot gave the four-year-old chestnut a patient ride.

She made good progress between horses from early in the straight and really powered home when ridden from a furlong out, going on to prevail by three quarters of a length.

“That’s my first ride for Willie so a massive thanks to the owners (Redpender Stud) for giving me the leg up,” the winning rider enthused. “I didn’t go for her until the furlong pole but when I got stuck into her, she picked up well and won nicely at the line.”

OUT of Group 2 winner Eziyra, who was third to Enable in the Irish Oaks of 2017, Ezeliya justified market confidence in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden.

Owned and bred by the Aga Khan and an encouraging fourth on debut at Leopardstown, the Dermot Weld-trained bay came with her challenge on the outer from the two-furlong pole.

She edged to the front inside the final 150 yards under Chris Hayes and asserted close home to beat newcomer Welda by a length.

“I was impressed because everything went wrong really. She half-fluffed her lines coming out of the gates, we went no pace and it was a three-and-a-half furlong sprint-mile,” Hayes reflected.

“She handled that ground quite well and will be a lovely filly for 10-furlongs in the spring.”

While Ezeliya was a well-supported 11/10 favourite (from 5/2 early), Expressova proved friendless with punters in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Handicap and was returned at 50/1.

Trained by Sheila Lavery and owned by her brother John, the €130,000 yearling purchase failed to make an impact in three starts as a juvenile and off an initial mark of 65, she was settled in midfield.

Fitted with a first-time tongue-strap, she picked up well when ridden from the furlong pole and swept to the front inside the final 100 yards, coming home a length and three quarters to the good.

“We thought she was a nice two-year-old and while she ran well the first day, she never progressed,” Colgan divulged. “She still has to fill out a bit and seemed to go through that ground well.”