VISCHIO has been enjoying a fine time of things over the last year or so and Dick Donohoe’s charge made it five wins in 13 months in the Smart Move Properties Handicap Hurdle over two miles.

The five-year-old mare bounced off an unplaced run at the Galway Festival in great shape and from some way out Danny Mullins was exuding plenty of confidence on the Goatsbridge Syndicate-owned filly.

With the last flight bypassed due to Kate Derwin suffering a nasty fall on the previous circuit, the runners had a decent run from the original second last to the line.

At this stage Vischio was going very nicely and she readily quickened by the front-running Play The Game for a resounding seven-length triumph.

“She has been running well all summer really. It’s a local syndicate with family members and friends involved so it’s great to win down here at the festival.

“Listowel is a possibility now for some of those nice handicap hurdles but she could even go back on the flat,” reported the trainer.

Rowing home

Danny Mullins promptly added to his haul as he teamed up with his father, Tony, to strike aboard Rotten Row in the O’Neill’s Bar Rated Novice Hurdle.

The 25/1 shot had struggled somewhat after winning a Roscommon bumper on his debut a year ago but it was all change here. The five-year-old was among four that held every chance after two out and he picked up best of all after the final flight to see off Evenwood Sonofagun by two and a half lengths.

“He was slow to learn how to jump. He was running a good race the last day in Limerick and then he lost his stride around the third last,” remarked Tony Mullins.

“I’m delighted he won and I’m not surprised as he had been showing this at home. It’s mighty to win for his owner Robby O’Byrne to win at his local track. It’s as good as winning at Leopardstown at Christmas for him.”

NOEL Meade added to his winner at Leopardstown as Evergreen And Red justified 13/8 favouritism in the Velvet Cap Maiden Hurdle over two miles. A dual flat winner, the London Racing Syndicate-owned gelding boasted a rating of 118 after five previous outings over hurdles and he put his experience to good use by making the running.

Bryan Cooper’s mount wasn’t too fluent at the last and forfeited valuable momentum which handed all the initiative to Betty Dutton.

She was bearing down ominously as the line loomed but Evergreen And Red held on by a neck.

“We changed tactics on him today. He’s not the strongest of finishers so said we’d let him roll from the front and try and save a bit,” remarked Cooper. “He deserved it and hopefully he can build on that. If he’d jumped the last two well, he would have won two or three lengths.”

Faithful winner

Henry de Bromhead wasted no time making his presence felt at his local festival as he sent out a one-three in the Walter Halley Memorial Beginners Chase where True Faith justified 11/8 favouritism.

The Robcour-owned six-year-old had reached the frame on his first two starts over fences and made the most of a good opportunity in this near two-and-three-quarter-mile affair which was confined to horses rated 109 or less over hurdles.

The winner was produced with his by Rachael Blackmore approaching two out and a mistake there by the front-running Broken Ice handed the advantage to True Faith who retained control of the race thereafter to score by four and a quarter lengths.

He’s Leading Me On gets his reward

EASILY the most deserving winner of the evening came when Leslie Young’s He’s Leading Me On picked up the Mary Hearn Memorial Handicap Hurdle over an extended two and a half miles for Bryan Meade and Conor Mohan

The 3/1 favourite came here off a run of four consecutive runner-up efforts but made no mistake on this occasion. Conor McNamara’s mount shot to the head of the field between the last two flights for a commanding seven-length success over Jetango.

The winner could turn out again at Sligo on Wednesday.

The meeting at Leopardstown kicked off with something of a surprise and it was more of the same in the opener here as the 28/1 chance Elegant Lass bested the 6/4 shot Pythion in the two-mile Three Ireland Rated Novice Chase.

Lass surprises

Tom Gibney’s experienced mare took well to this new discipline in a race for horses rated 116 or less over hurdles. The Leonard Kinsella-owned and Eoin Walsh-ridden seven-year-old made much of the running and held off Pythion over the last two fences to carry the day by a length and a half and record the fourth success of her career.

Willie Mullins struck with his only runner of the evening as Kottayam landed the Flynn Hotels Ladies Maiden. The lightly raced seven-year-old was making just the fourth appearance of his career and this was his first in close to 15 months.

The Kilbeggan bumper winner was sent off the 11/8 favourite and showed a good attitude when it mattered to withstand last-furlong charge of Molly Wedger by a short head. The winner carries the colours of the Flynn & Gray Partnership.