JACK Hackett proved a popular local winner of the featured Entegro Handicap Chase and in the process completed a double on the afternoon for talented claimer Mark McDonogh.

The Ciaran Murphy-trained 3/1 favourite was never too far from the pace and asserted approaching the last to beat Grangeclare Native by five and a half lengths. “He won a beginners’ chase here and has run well over hurdles here even though he’s not a hurdler. I’d say we met a very well-handicapped horse the last day and we were hopeful today,” said the Mullingar handler.

“He hasn’t been the easiest to train the last year but, in fairness, Sean (Reilly, owner) has been very patient and given me a free rein. We’ll definitely think about the Midlands National now. He needs a bit of time between his races but it should fit in. We had blinkers on before and we just said we’d put the visor on today to change things around.”

Tricky Slope

McDonogh also landed the opening two-mile, two-furlong Adare Manor Opportunity Maiden Hurdle aboard The Gradual Slope, owned by his father and namesake and trained near Kilworth by Sean O’Brien. The 7/4 favourite drew clear along with Scenic Look from the penultimate flight and got well on top in the closing stages to beat that rival by 11 lengths.

“He’s been running over longer trips so we were happy enough to take it up early. He’s a tricky horse and it takes a lot to train a horse like that. He stayed at it well and deserved that win,” said the winning rider before adding, “Sean has done a fantastic job and his horses are in great form. He puts a lot of time and effort into them and deserves all the rewards.”

McDonogh and O’Brien were unfortunate not to also take the following Kilbegganraces.com Novice Hurdle with Rockanrye, who held about a three-length advantage when blundering at the final flight. McDonagh did well to keep the partnership intact but it gave his rivals an unexpected opportunity and He Fitz In, who was kept wide throughout and was only fourth before the last, finished strongly under Danny Mullins to score by half a length for a 33/1 shock.

“He’s a bit claustrophobic so I gave him a bit of space. He’s like me – he likes a bit of time to himself to think about things! Going to the last I thought he had a chance. He’s a tough horse and even in Wexford the last day he battled hard to the line,” said Mullins of Cathal McDaid’s six-year-old.

GORDON Elliott continued his phenomenal recent run of success making it 15 winners in the space of just 11 days as Call Me Lyreen took the New Midland Hospice Beginners Chase in runaway fashion.

The six-runner field was reduced to just four when Act Of God fell and brought down Evies Vladimir at the second fence, and 4/5 favourite Watch House Cross dropped away tamely and was pulled up before two out (reported clinically abnormal afterwards). Call Me Lyreen (5/2) took full advantage and drew well clear before the last under Jack Kennedy to score by all of 44 lengths.

Elliott’s assistant Lisa O’Neill said of the Lyreen Syndicate-owned gelding: “Jack got him into a lovely rhythm and he’s obviously improved from the last day and seemed to have a bit more confidence. Hopefully he can continue to progress over fences and there might be some big days in him over fences like there was over hurdles.”

Favourite Phil

Uncle Phil was all the rage in the Add Kilbegganraces On Snapchat Flat Race having filled the runner-up spot here on his debut and duly justified odds of 4/9.

Trained by Willie Mullins for Marie Donnelly, the Walk In The Park gelding took command well over a furlong out to easily beat Down Around by 14 lengths.

“He pulled quite hard and didn’t make it very easy for himself. He was entitled to win if he reproduced his run the last day.

“He had the experience of a run today and it probably stood to him,” said the winning rider Jody Townend afterwards.