THE good prize that had threatened to come his way long before now finally arrived for Jessica Harrington’s Discordantly in the Grade B TRI Equestrian Handicap Chase.

As he went in search of his first win since October 2020, the Robbie Power-ridden eight-year-old never missed a beat. He jumped superbly in a forward position as Jerandme cut out the running and finally moved past that rival jumping the last fence.

After establishing a useful lead on the run-in, the Odd Fellows Partnership-owned 14/1 chance kept on well to hold the rallying pacesetter by a length and a half.

“I’d say the cheekpieces made a big difference to him and possibly this two-mile, five-furlong trip is what he wants. We had viewed him as a stayer but this might be a far better trip for him,” reported the trainer’s daughter Kate.

“The nice ground helped him too and he came on plenty from his run at Fairyhouse last month which was his first since he got a fall in the Welsh National which caused him to miss a few weeks.”

Fighting well

Fighting Fit continues to look like a horse on the up after landing the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Rated Novice Chase over two miles. Phillip Dempsey’s charge was turning out two months on from a cosy success at Naas and again won with something to spare for J.P. McManus.

There were still a few with prospects at the last where Bythesametoken fell when holding every chance but Fighting Fit moved ahead on the run-in and Luke Dempsey never had to get too animated for the well-backed 13/8 favourite to defeat Kalkas by a length and a quarter.

There is a good prize to be won with this gelding before the end of the season.

Whiskey Sour running sweetly

THE talented Whiskey Sour, previously a Grade 1 winner over timber and a premier handicap winner on the flat, secured his first success since December 2017 in the Anton O’Toole Hurdle over two and a quarter miles. The Willie Mullins inmate took advantage of a marked drop in grade. He made all the running for Paul Townend and responded well to the challenge of Gallant John Joe early in the straight to draw away again for a commanding 15-length success. The 4/7 favourite carries the colours of Luke McMahon.

“He enjoyed himself, the race suited and the ground suited. The further up the straight we came, the better he was going,” said the winning rider.

There was another good effort on show at the end of the card where Ballybawn Belter (13/2) made a winning debut in the TRI Superstore (Pro/Am) INH Flat Race for Liz Doyle and Jody Townend.

This daughter of Valirann is related to a number of smart French jumpers. She travelled well to lead early in the straight and struck to her task over the last furlong to see off fellow newcomers Joshua Des Flos and The Four Sixes by one and three-quarter lengths and a neck respectively.

“My head lad James Rath bought her at the Land Rover Sale and he’s done most of the work with her. She’s always been super,” remarked the trainer. “I really fancied her today and knew she’d handle a nice bit of ground. I’m just thrilled for the owners, James and Rachael (Rath).”

Battling Ballykeel responds to pressure

AFTER drawing a rare blank at Navan the previous afternoon, Gordon Elliott struck back in the opener as Ballykeel captured the Donohoe Marquees Maiden Hurdle over two and a half miles.

The Brendan Scully-owned gelding started off on the track with a fifth to The Nice Guy in a useful maiden at Naas in January. He jumped nicely throughout for Jack Kennedy and knuckled down splendidly under pressure in the straight to see off Chiricahua who seemed poised to take his measure nearing the last.

At the line, the son of Presenting had a length and a quarter to spare.

“He came forward from Naas and I like the way he battled there. He’ll win again over hurdles and should make a nice chaser when we switch him to fences,” declared the trainer.

Game cherry

Elliott then struck with Cute Cherry (12/1) in the mares’ handicap hurdle over two and a half miles. A winner on testing ground at Clonmel in the autumn, the daughter of Fame And Glory loomed up menacingly for Jack Kennedy as the runners left the second last behind them. The recent Punchestown winner Indie Belle made the winner pull out all the stops but a willing Cute Cherry battled hard to get home by a neck.

“I was worried the ground might be a little dry for her but she was fine on it. She’ll get further so we’ll look at moving up in trip before the end of the season,” said Elliott whose charge is owned by Jamie Lawson Maher and Caren Walsh.

The trainer was denied a treble when Reine Machine (8/1) made a successful start over hurdles in the TRM Equine Nutrition Mares Maiden Hurdle over two and a half miles to deny Hollymount.

Jonathan Sweeney’s charge, who had reached the frame in bumpers on her first three starts, was under strong pressure from Jamie Codd nearing the turn in but responded generously and got upsides the strong travelling Hollymount at the last.

Machine makes it

Reine Machine continued to pull out more on the run in and the Elizabeth Ann Higgins-owned seven-year-old defeated her aforementioned opponent by half a length.

“I just shouldn’t have run her at Punchestown last time as the ground was too soft and she’s a good ground mare,” reported the trainer. “It’s great for the owners as they’ve put plenty of time into her and Jamie’s just a class act.”