The red-hot form of the Ellen Doyle yard continued on Sunday, as she registering an across the card double which began with success in the opening division of the Tattersalls Ireland four-year-old geldings’ maiden for the newcomer Lucky Flight.
The son of Linda’s Lad made all in the hands of Luke Murphy and extended his lead when pulling clear of the field from the fourth-last fence, to ultimately return home a distance in advance of Dubai Key.
“I am delighted with that as we were so unlucky at Corbeagh last week. We were quite hopeful coming here. We thought he was looking good and we had a bit of a fancy for him, so I’m delighted with that run there,” said Ellen Doyle, who later went on to win a division of the four-year-old geldings’ maiden at Boulta with another newcomer, On the Short List.
It was also a good day for rider Luke Murphy who added to that success with a personal double of his own which was completed in division two of the Tattersalls Ireland four-year-old geldings’ maiden aboard the Denis Murphy-trained Vinnie’s Getaway.
Their victory was aided by both Rewritetherules and Florrie Web coming down at the second last and last fence respectively whilst in front at the time.
Winning handler Denis Murphy said: “Luke (Murphy) said that he was very green and he was just letting him coast home to finish fourth. He had done a good piece of work up in the Curragh during the week, so we said we would either run him now or it was a case of leaving him until he was five, so we chanced running him, but he was too green.”
The Sean Doyle-handled Outonpatrol lived up to the promise she had shown on her debut at Dromahane last month when running out a six-length winner of the Burgage Stud four-year-old mares’ maiden.
Jamie Scallan, who guided the daughter of Stowaway to victory, took up the running approaching the straight and kept on gamely from the last for a comfortable victory over Mrs Davies.
Winning handler Sean Doyle said: “She has improved loads since her run at Dromahane. We have been very lucky with the Stowaway Beneficial cross with the likes of The Worlds End and I’m delighted for Jamie (Scallan).”
Robert McCabe’s Proper Ticket, who had finished second at Ballinaboola last month, went one better on Sunday when taking the Midland Veterinary Tullamore five-year-old mares’ maiden in a thrilling finish.
The daughter of Gold Well responded well to her rider Aaron Sinnott’s urgings, when staying on well in the closing stages to deny Be My Dream and Barry O’Neill by a short head.
“She is the only one in training with me. She ran well the last day and I thought this track might suit her so I waited for it. I might go to one of the sales with her now,” said the Enniscorthy-based handler.
Reigning champion rider Barry O’Neill reached another career milestone when recording his 500th point-to-point winner aboard the Johnny Kinsella-handled Definite Warrior in the John Joseph Hanlon – Horse Trainer five-year-old geldings’ maiden.
He is only the fourth jockey to achieve this feat and joins the likes of Derek O’Connor, Jamie Codd and John Thomas McNamara.
Definite Warrior put his Lingstown fall behind him with a comprehensive victory over Victory Echo and Kevin Corrigan.
Majella Kinsella mother of the winning handler said: “John was hopeful for this lad coming here. He had shown a lot of promise and he always thought a lot of him. He was a bit green on his debut when he was fourth and then he fell at Lingstown, so we were hopeful coming here. The horses are going well and he will hopefully be sold now.”
Longhouse Music was the first horse this season to win four races in a row when winning the Goffs Property novice riders open lightweight in the hands of Eoin Mahon.
The daughter of Gamut took up the running approaching the second-last and kept on well for a five-length victory over Samanntom.
Winning handler Sam Curling said: “That was lovely, she did it very well. She is improving the whole time and loving it. Once she stays in one piece, we will keep her going at that now.”
The concluding Walsh’s Homevalue Hardware six-year-old and upwards maiden was claimed by the ultra-consistent Ask Harry.
The son of Helissio has been a model of consistency for connections, rarely finishing out of the placings.
Winning owners Tom Power and Annette Lawlor were rewarded for their patience, as the six-year-old kept on well from before the last for a two and a half-length victory over the Liam Kenny handled Ted.
The victory was also a boost for young rider Kevin Corrigan who registered his second winner between the flags.
