KEITH Donoghue has got the new jumps season off to a bright start and made it seven winners in as many days when partnering a 467/1 treble, highlighted by the surprise victory of Bardenstown Lad in the featured Kilbeggan Handicap Hurdle.

The Black Sam Bellamy gelding won five times over hurdles for John McConnell but had been very disappointing over fences since joining Gavin Cromwell this year and finished tailed off at Tipperary the previous week.

However, the switch back to hurdles certainly rekindled the Derek Kierans-owned nine-year-old who was prominent throughout in this three-mile event and defied odds of 25/1 when rallying gamely on the run-in to peg back Lisnamult Lad by half-a-length.

“His last couple of runs over fences he didn’t want to know about it and he had no race the other day in Tipperary as he made no effort at all. He just doesn’t seem to enjoy chasing,” said a surprised Cromwell.

“He was entered at Doncaster (Sales) next week, but I’d say there might be a change of plan. I’ve no idea where he’ll go next but that’s a nice prize to get.”

Initiated treble

The Cromwell-trained If You Let Me initiated the Donoghue treble when making an impressive start over hurdles in the William Hill Play Responsibly Maiden Hurdle.

This two-mile contest was for horses who had run at least three times and not been placed in the first three and the Deirdre McGuire-owned gelding came here off three bumper outings.

The well-backed 7/2 chance travelled smoothly to lead approaching the final flight before cruising clear to beat Lynchy Boy by an effortless seven lengths.

Cromwell said, “It was a nice opportunity and he jumped really well and loved that (good to yielding) ground. We fancied him a few days in bumpers and he just didn’t find anything off the bridle and you’d wonder if something came to him what there would be there. Hopefully that will give him a bit of confidence and he’ll be campaigned over the summer.”

KEITH Donoghue had to work a lot harder for victory on Run For Harry in the William Hill Epic Boost Handicap Hurdle.

The Gillian Callaghan-trained 3/1 favourite made most of the running and rallied strongly on the run-in to deny Flidais by a length and a half.

“He’s been there or thereabouts the last few times and it’s great to finally get the head in front,” said Callaghan, who trains the son of Champs Elysees for her brother-in-law Pearse Callaghan.

“He’s entered up in Punchestown, but we’ll see how he comes out of that and he’ll have a summer campaign. Keith gave him a great ride. He has the size and scope so hopefully he’ll jump a fence in time.”

Kells-based Callaghan later completed her first domestic double when The Dasher Conway (12/1) just got up in the shadow of the winning post to score in the William Hill Extra Places Daily Handicap Chase.

The front-running Sargent Lightfoot appeared to have poached a decisive lead approaching the final fence but the Ask gelding finished strongly under Donagh Meyler to score by a head.

“In fairness to Donagh he gave him a super ride. He made a mistake but crept his way back into it. He was in great form and had a good run in Punchestown where he ran on well from the last and we thought back in grade this evening would suit him,” said Callaghan before adding:

“It’s been a great day. That’s my first double in Ireland. I had a double before in England.”

MARK Walsh also enjoyed a good evening when partnering the J.P. McManus-owned pair Win Some Lose Some and Haveigotnewsforyou to land both divisions of the William Hill Epic Value Maiden Hurdle.

Win Some Lose Some (8/1 overnight and backed on track from 11/2 into 3/1) appeared to have an impossible task before the last in division one, but finished with such a flourish between horses on the run-in that he had a length and a half to spare over Two Become One.

“It was probably a weak race but he picked up the pieces and Mark said the better ground probably helped him. I’d say he’ll stay around for the summer,” said trainer Padraig Roche.

Haveigotnewsforyou provided trainer Colm Murphy with a welcome change of fortune in division two as the easy-to-back 14/1 shot just got the better of the front-running Gaucher in the closing stages by a neck.

“He’s a big baby who had a nice run the first day and has improved from it. He didn’t seem to mind the ground, so we’ll dream on and make a plan.”

Further success

Enniscorthy trainer Paul Nolan has a lengthy association with owner Kay Browne, notably landing the Grade 1 Hennessy Gold Cup with Joncol back in 2010, and they enjoyed further success with Jasmin De Cotte in the Cooke’s Bar And Restaurant Caragh Beginners Chase.

The 2/1 favourite confirmed the promise of his debut over fences at Down Royal last month when holding off the challenge of Hunting Brook by half-a-length.

“He jumped well and it helped having the rail after the last,” said Nolan. “He’s definitely better over a fence and the penny is dropping with him. He was too free over hurdles, and I’d say the further he goes will be an advantage.”

Made all

Custom Taylor justified evens favouritism for trainer/rider Declan Queally in the concluding bumper, making all and ridden to assert inside the final furlong for a four and a quarter lengths verdict over Rocco Boyo.

“He made a bad mistake at the first in his point-to-point and his jumping fell apart, but I felt he had a bit of boot and class and I said to Dr Corkery (owner) we’d go for a bumper. We’ll have a bit of fun hurdling with him hopefully,” said Queally.

Charlie Mullins was given an eight days whip ban after finishing third on Rubies Or Gold.