THE return to action of the former National Stakes hero Thunder Moon lent this fixture a considerable degree of interest but the Group 1 performer was upstaged by a resurgent Pretreville in the seven-furlong conditions race.

Although the latter went off at 12/1 after finishing down the field in two starts for Adrian McGuinness last autumn, he had plenty of quality French form to his name. He is a former Group 3 scorer with his Group 2 efforts including a second to Persian King, and he also boasted three wins from his four starts on the all-weather in France.

The second longest-priced runner in the race, the Ronan Whelan-ridden Pretreville could be yet another talented sort to resurrect himself for a switch to the McGuinness yard.

After challenging Meishar from over a furlong out, the Shamrock Thoroughbreds-owned seven-year-old took that rival’s measure with over 100 yards to run and he got home by a length and a quarter from Thunder Moon who was having his first run since October.

“He was making a little noise so we did a wind operation on him,” said McGuinness. “He’ll either go to Doha for the race Bowerman won last year or to Dubai on the Super Saturday card. We have new French owners in along with Shamrock Thoroughbreds, so I’m delighted.”

Sangria scores

Joseph O’Brien struck with Sangria in the three-year-old handicap where she appeared to relish the step up to a mile. This Emily Magnier and Linda Shanahan-owned daughter of Gutaifan was an especially deserving winner of this race as she was stripped of victory here in early November on a technicality as a result of her rider drawing an incorrect claim.

The 9/2 shot, who was wearing cheekpieces for the first time, was produced by Jake Coen to lead inside the last furlong and enjoyed a clear-cut two-length triumph. The winning rider was recording his first success for O’Brien.

Lady sings

Gavin Cromwell has already a number of quality flat fillies through his hands and the trainer might have another nice prospect in Singsong Lady who landed the seven-furlong Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden.

An unplaced debut in a Naas maiden in September saw this Nora Byrne-owned daughter of Cotai Glory returned at 25/1 but this was a vastly better effort here.

She was conspicuous with how she was travelling on the outside of the field early in the straight and once Conor Maxwell asked her to raise her effort she responded well. Singsong Lady got on top to score by three-quarters of a length.

Angel propels Comer’s season to Sky high

AN already excellent winter campaign for Luke Comer got even better when the owner-breeder-trainer’s Angel In The Sky struck at 22/1 in the first division of the 45-65 rated mile-and-a-half handicap.

The relatively lightly raced seven-year-old was winning for the second time in 14 career starts and was produced by Sean Davis to hold every chance from early in the straight. The outcome of this race still hung in the balance inside the last furlong, but Angel In The Sky went to the line well to score by three-quarters of a length from the 50/1 chance Lariat, with the 66/1 shot Paddytheirishman a further short head away.

Smart Kalmira steps forward

THE second division of the 12-furlong handicap was won by a progressive type in the Shane Crawley-trained Kalmira, with a length and a half success.

After starting out her career with two bumper runs followed by three maiden outings on the flat, the Kalanisi mare was evidently expected to step forward for the switch to handicaps as she was backed from as big as 8/1 earlier in the day into 3/1.

The six-year-old came between horses for Niall McCullagh to make her challenge heading towards the final furlong and defeated Trump Card in cosy fashion.

The winner is owned by the Eyeroller Syndicate, who have also enjoyed plenty of success with the Crawley-trained Tartlette.

Ajax hat-trick by three trainers

AJAX Tavern (10/1) pulled off a result that could well be unique to Irish racing as he made it three wins in succession for three different trainers in a useful-looking six-furlong handicap. On his initial Irish outing, the Sam Ewing-ridden gelding won a claimer here at the start of December for Denis Hogan after which he was claimed by Ger O’Leary.

He then won a claimer on his debut for O’Leary earlier this month and after which he was claimed by James McAuley who produced him in fine shape for this where he made much of the running and defeated No Speed Limit by a length and a half.

Jewels sparkles

THERE was a gamble landed in the first division of the 45-65 rated mile handicap where Run The Jewels made a winning debut for trainer Sean Cahill. This Thomas James-owned son of Lawman showed promise on his handicap debut at Gowran Park back in August and on just his fifth career start was backed from 10/1 earlier in the day into 9/2.

Particularly impressive was the manner in which he overcame a tardy start that left him looking on from the rear for most of the race. He still had it all to do with a quarter of a mile to run but without Nathan Crosse ever having to get too animated, he picked up one rival after another in rapid succession before striking the front late on. At the line he had a growing length and three-quarters to spare over the 100/1 chance Five Zeros.

Sarah’s scholar

SARAH Lynam got off the mark for the winter season as Royal Scholar, in the colours of her uncle John outpointed Persian Wolf, trained by her father Eddie, in the second division of the mile handicap. Now a dual winner and placed twice from his last five starts, Royal Scholar (100/30) was partnered by Shane Crosse.

“He got very upset in the stalls the last day and that’s probably the reason why he didn’t run so well (eighth behind Mulgrave). He likes the all-weather and a mile is a good trip for him and he seems to do well with a little gap between his races,” reported the trainer.