Report | Curraghmore 1st Apr 18

Luke Murphy dominated proceedings by partnering a sparkling three-timer and the 21-year-old got off the mark aboard the Liam Kenny-trained Rock On Carlos in the Laketour Stables, Tramore five-year-old geldings’ maiden. Rock On Carlos, absent since finishing seventh in Darsi In The Park's Lingstown maiden in November, benefited from frontrunning tactics and he seemed to have a battle on his plate when joined by patiently-ridden favourite Megalodon before the final fence.

Whilst Megalodon actually landed the faster here, Rock On Carlos was in no mood to be denied and he ultimately obliged by a length. Rock On Carlos is owned by the three-member Orphan Girl Syndicate that previously attained points success with the Kenny-trained pair of That Beats Banaher and Battle Anthem.

Pat Doyle is experiencing a stellar run with his team of four-year-olds' at present and the Suirview Stables operator continued his excellent run by winning the Goffs UK Aintree Sale four-year-old geldings’ maiden with Diol Ker.

The only one of the 10 runners to have had two previous outings, the Cragmore runner-up Diol Ker moved through to go second behind long-time leader Montagne D'Argent after three out. The winning son of Martaline went to the front with John Barry before two out and he asserted after this penultimate obstacle. Although landing somewhat steeply over the final fence, he still beat newcomer Modern Warfair by eight lengths.

"He's a lovely big raw horse and he should make into a smashing three-mile chaser, "commented Doyle of Diol Ker, a mid-April foal that was acquired by agent 'Mouse' O'Ryan for €75, 000 at the 2017 Derby sale.
 
Ard Chros seems to be on a clear upward trajectory and the Vinny Devereux-trained six-year-old supplemented his maiden success at Lingstown last month by recording a battling success with Shane O'Rourke in the Tattersalls Ireland Winner of One. Ard Chros disputed the running virtually throughout until headed two out. The winning son of Publisher however stormed back to the front on the inner before the final fence to contain favourite Blue Morpho by one and a half lengths.

Handler Devereux, who also captured the 2015 renewal of this same race with I Wonder Why, indicated that his father Jimmy's Ard Chros is now likely to be sold.
 
Luke Murphy posted his second success of the afternoon by landing the Killbarry Lodge Stud five-year-old mares’ maiden which attracted the biggest field of the day, aboard Ballybough Nora. The James Sheehan-trained Ballybough Nora, who made a pleasing debut by coming fourth at Tallow almost two months earlier, always travelled well and the daughter of Oscar eased to the front two out. She put the race to bed in literally a matter of strides after this penultimate obstacle to eclipse newcomer Just For Tara by three lengths.

"She's a lovely mare that would really want nicer ground and she seems the type that should win a bumper, "said handler Sheehan of Ballybough Nora, owned by Mrs Mary Kearns from Johnswell outside Kilkenny.
 
Luke Murphy, having partnered a two-timer at the Carrigtwohill fixture last year, brought up his hat-trick aboard the Bernadette Murphy-trained Ballinasilla in the Gain Horse Feeds six-year-old-upwards geldings’ maiden for novice riders.

The relatively lightly-raced Ballinasilla, who finished second at Ballinaboola in November, led until overtaken three out by Paschals Dream. Murphy though refused to panic and he brought the winning son of Golan back to lead on the approach to the last. Ballinasilla, whilst eased as the line approached, still disposed of Paschals Dream by three lengths.

"Luke gave him a great ride. He's the only horse that I have run so far this season and the plan now is that he will go for a winners race, "disclosed five-horse handler Murphy of her brother Peter's Ballinasilla.
 
23-year-old Faugheen native James English, who works alongside Joseph O'Brien, partnered a second career winner and his first of the season aboard owner/trainer Diarmuid Ryan's Mister Robbo in the Vincent Halley Racing, Billy Bourke Fishmongers & Talbot Hotel five-year-old-and-upwards confined maiden.

However, recent Ballynoe third Mister Robbo certainly had luck on his side as he was four lengths adrift of Glorious Diva and Shantou Article in third spot when the aforementioned pair both fell independently at the final fence. Mister Robbo, although then sustaining interference, was duly left clear to beat the only other finisher Arch Chancelor by four lengths.