THE featured Grade 3 Kevin McManus Bookmaker Grimes Hurdle was won by 18/1 chance Fils D’oudairies in the hands of Jack Kennedy who returned to race-riding after his latest injury enforced absence only last weekend.

Formerly trained by Joseph O’Brien and Nicky Henderson, the Saint Des Saints gelding raced close to the pace in the Grade 3 contest before taking over two out and was ridden out to beat Sharjah by two and three-quarter lengths.

Winning trainer Gordon Elliott’s representative Ian ‘Busty’ Amond said: “It was a nice surprise because on ratings we thought he had no chance. Jack said he was always happy, he jumped and travelled well and was happy turning in.

“He has come right the last couple of runs, has won two races since David L’Estrange bought him so he has been lucky for him. David has plenty of horses in the yard so it is nice to have one like that.

“He’ll go to the Galway Plate now and the American Grand National is also on the agenda but he’s won a good prize today whatever happens.”

Back to form

Watch The Weather (15/2) bounced back to form in no uncertain fashion when bolting up under Rachael Blackmore in the Pierce Motors Handicap Hurdle.

Progressive last year but unplaced in his previous three outings, the Sean Connors-owned gelding led two and bounded clear to beat Shanwalla by an eased-down nine lengths.

Winning trainer Ray Cody said: “he had been doing everything really well at home last year but since he ran last, we got his palate fired. At home recently he wouldn’t blow you away with how he was going and I said to Rachael that he’d either win or run brutal.

“The last day Rachael rode him, she said he stopped under her and while he scoped perfectly, obviously the operation was what he wanted. He is back the way he should be - he is a very good horse when he is right, he is a really good horse.

“He will get a fair penalty for that and the plan is now to go to Galway. What he will eventually make is a right chaser as he is brilliant to jump.”

DUAL bumper winner The Big Doyen got off the mark over jumps when easily justifying 1/4 favouritism in the two miles and four furlongs maiden hurdle.

Sean Flanagan steered the Money For Jam Syndicate’s gelding to a front-running, unextended 16 lengths victory over Keeffelee.

Winning trainer Peter Fahey reported: “Things didn’t work out for him last season, he was second in a good few maiden hurdles, ran in some competitive races and ended up having a hard season.

“Things didn’t work out in a valuable handicap at Fairyhouse and he came back wrong but the time off freshened him up.

“He is keen and forward-going but enjoyed tipping away in front today. He’ll go to Galway for a hurdle next and then we’ll see what happens but he might head on over fences afterwards.”

Three-year-olds

The first three-year-old maiden hurdle of the season went to 16/1 chance Spinning Web, trained by Mags Mullins for the Barrow Vale Syndicate.

The Fascinating Rock gelding was off the bridle from three out but responded well to Danny Mullins’ urgings to lead close home for a half-length success over Doctor Nightingale.

Winning rider Mullins said: “He was a little bit silly on the flat and I think the hurdles have woken him up. His last run on the flat at Gowran wasn’t too bad and he took a minute to catch on to it today but once he did, adapted very quickly.

“Hopefully through the rough-and-tumble of a hurdle race, that will have him brave enough to win on the flat.”

AMATEUR rider Harry Sexton steered Katherine (25/1) to an emotional first success in the two-mile handicap hurdle for his father Adrian, who was notching a second success in his second stint as a trainer.

The six-year-old mare, owned by Marc Salmon, raced prominently and battled to a neck success over Big Island.

The winning trainer explained: “I had some very good horses, had lots of winners but gave up training for 10 years and we moved to Australia.

“We came home two weeks before the lockdown and one of the reasons was Harry wanted to have a go at being a jockey.

Jockey Sexton, 18, was emotional and reported: “I finished my last Leaving Certificate exam two weeks ago, I want to stay at this game but I’m not too sure my mother will be impressed!”

In a sweat

Walk In Time worked up quite a lather of sweat before the Cappawhite Plant Hire Handicap Hurdle but it had no impact on the six-year-old’s performance as she landed the spoils under 7lb claimer Cian Quirke.

The half-sister to three winners moved smoothly into contention at the second-last and was soon in command. At the line she was three and a half lengths in front of Emily In Paris.

Winning trainer Harry Kelly said: ”She was highly strung in her early days but is a nice mare who is well handicapped. I’m delighted for John O’Dwyer who owns her and bred Rock On Ruby.”

Crooked Tannie (4/1) was a facile winner of the four-year-old bumper under Patrick Mullins.

The multiple champion amateur made all and kept wide throughout on the Mount Nelson gelding who cruised home by 14 lengths from Master Otis.

Cian Collins trains the winner for Mr R Sherlock and said: “We’ve always thought a lot of him but things didn’t work out great the first two runs. Patrick kept it simple today and he did it very easily.

“He is a big raw four-year-old and I’d say he’ll grow into a nice horse next year.”