TRAINER Dermot Weld’s recent revival in form continued at Limerick on Saturday as his Aga Khan-owned newcomer Kayhana (7/1) landed the opening Irish EBF Median Sires Series (Fillies) Maiden, under jockey Chris Hayes.

Weld and Hayes had teamed up for classic glory with Homeless Songs last month and following Giladah’s Leopardstown win on Thursday, completed consecutive wins with Kayhana, who quickened smartly to score a one-length win over All Things Nice.

Hayes said: “We liked her a lot but she hadn’t a pile done, just a couple of half-speeds. She’d stick her head above water for you going up the Old Vic and I was quietly confident she’d run a big race. She handled conditions well and surprised me how professional she was considering the amount of work she had done. She will improve a lot.”

Marhaba strides on

There was one other maiden race on the card, the concluding Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden, which provided the only winning favourite on the day in the Ken Condon-trained Marhaba Ashmayme (6/5 favourite).

Ridden by Bill Lee, the son of Caravaggio made virtually all and stayed on well to beat Blackberry Jack by one and three-quarter lengths.

Condon reported: “Recently we’ve used blinkers on Warren Beach and this horse as we felt maybe they were leaving a little behind at the races and we’re not getting to see their true ability.

“He used himself very well today and got into his stride. He is a real good mover with a good action and seemed to float on that ground. It’s our first winner for the owner (Jaber Abdullah) as well and I’m sure he’ll be pleased as he is a homebred. We’ll keep going while the ground is in his favour and look for a conditions’ or rated race next.

“Bill is riding very well and is making the calls at the right time.”

THERE were no less than five races unimaginatively titled the ‘Limerick Racecourse Handicap’ and the most valuable was the one-mile €16,500 5.00pm race which was won by champion jockey Colin Keane on the Brian Duffy-trained, Magic Lads Syndicate-owned Magic Chegaga (15/2).

A maiden winner for her breeders Moyglare Stud in 2020, the daughter of Teofilo notched a fourth career success when she improved to lead in the closing stages for a head defeat of runner-up Mazagran.

Duffy wasn’t present and Keane later said: “She was a very progressive filly last year and looking through her videos, she travels very well but today I thought she was only doing enough. Thankfully she had her head down at the right time.

“It is a local success to us as all the lads who own her are from Trim and it is a pleasure to ride a winner for them.”

Brave Cnodian

The opening Limerick Racecourse Handicap was won by the Willie McCreery-trained Cnodian, also at 15/2, who scored under jockey Nathan Crosse and owner/breeders Noeleen and Rory O’Toole.

McCreery reported: “She is tough as nails and Nathan gave her a lovely ride and did exactly what we said. He jumped and went forward, sat in the pocket and she quickened up and did it well. If you could get more horses like her you’d be laughing as she is all heart. She is not overly big but tries hard and that’s all you can ask of any horse. Noeleen and Rory bred her so I’m delighted for them and they have been patient with her.”

Karpino first

Thirty-five minutes later, Qatar Racing’s Deceit caused a 28/1 upset in the one-mile, three-furlong handicap, providing her late sire Karpino with a first success at stud.

Winning trainer Johnny Murtagh wasn’t present but winning jockey Shane Kelly said: “She had a good run the first day but has taken a bit of racing as she is a bit of a baby and the step up in trip, with a tongue-tie on, helped. I think she will progress.

“She needed the few runs she had and was dropping into handicaps today.”

THE father and son team consisting of trainer Andy, jockey and Andrew Slattery combined to win the following handicap over the same distance with Aingeal Dorcha (4/1), who managed to score a one-length success over I Have A Voice, for the successful Men Of Forty Eight Syndicate.

Slattery senior stated: “I thought he left too much to do at Gowran the other day as he was third-last turning in and met some trouble. The forecast was for rain and I was hoping for some and it didn’t come, but we took our chance.

“We’ll keep to one mile, two or four furlongs and hopefully he could go to some of those big handicaps at the back end. He is a lovely big 16.2hh horse and if the owners would let me - they didn’t last year - I‘d love to jump him.

“If he was by a top sire at the Derby Sale he would make a fortune.”

Trainer Denis Hogan and owner Joe Kelly combined to win the 4.25pm handicap with Church Mountain (7/1), who benefitted from an enterprising ride from jockey Daniel King.

The son of Pride Of Dubai broke well from his outside 18 draw and made all, extending his lead before the home straight, before holding the challenge of runner-up Mary Salome by two and a quarter lengths.

Afterwards Hogan said: “You’d call 18 a bad draw but not with him as he doesn’t like traffic around him. If he is drawn low and misses the break, it is hard to get him going. He had won twice in Galway and hopefully will go back there.

“Dan (King) is super value off those weight but I don’t like him doing light as he is a big lad now and is going jumping. He has finished school and is with me full-time for the summer and has already had hurdle rides.”