The first of nine contests produced an impressive display when Mount Ida took the opening division of the Devenish Nutrition four-year-old mares’ maiden in the hands of Mark O’Hare.
Owned and trained by Jerry Cosgrave, the daughter of Yeats was getting off the mark at the second time of asking, when getting the better of Dime A Dozen by two lengths, following a protracted battle.
“She was very impressive there and quickened away well, she will be sold now,” said the winning handler.
The second division of the Devenish Nutrition four-year-old mares’ maiden saw The Cull Bank carry the colours of William Bates to victory, as the Mark Scallan-ridden daughter of Yeats got the better of the promising Tokyo Getaway by four lengths.
Having her fourth start, the imposing sort was following up on a fine run at Lingstown last season and winning handler Brian Jordan said: “she is a proper mare, she just jumps and gallops and we will sell her now.”
Jamie Codd enjoyed a treble on the day, with Chantry House getting the Wexford rider off the mark in the second division of the My Dream Boat four-year-old geldings’ maiden.
Owned by Eric Elliot, the gelding travelled very strongly into the contest down the back, before staying-on well to beat the promising Envoi Pierji by three quarters of a length.
“We think he is a very good horse. He came originally from Willie Codd’s, so Jamie knew him,” said the winning hander Cian Hughes.
The Dermot McLoughlin-trained debutant Laughing Trix, brought up a quick double for Jamie Codd when taking the Colorman five-year-old mares’ maiden.
Given a patient ride, the Riverstown Racing Syndicate-owned daughter of Court Cave swept through to dispute turning in, before digging deep in the closing stages to see off Airgead Suas by a length. “She will improve from that and she might go for a winners’ race now,” said McLoughlin.
Former rider Jamie Flynn saw his colours carried to victory in the second division of the Declan Gannon Builder five-year-old geldings’ maiden, when Presenting Europe brought up the treble for Jamie Codd.
Having just his second start, this well-bred sort battled gamely in the closing stages to dead heat with the Jack Hogan-ridden Mossy White.
The former is trained by Jim Dreaper, and Flynn said: “We might sell him now, he will improve again and should make a fine staying chaser.”
Mossy White, who on his fourth start, was just joined in the shadow of the post, was another winner for in-form handler Denis Hogan. According to connections, he is also sales bound.
Rob James enjoyed a double on the afternoon, opening his account in the first division of the My Dream Boat four-year-old geldings’ maiden aboard the Pat-Doyle trained Silver Hallmark.
Sporting the colours of Michael Fitzpatrick, the son of Shircocco travelled very smoothly into the contest from mid-division, before going on to win by three lengths from the staying-on Willie Butler.
“He looks a nice horse, he has a great attitude and did that well. He will head to the sales now,” said the Tipperary handler.
Having taken a four-year-old maiden at Punchestown last spring, Madiba Passion took the Tattersalls Ireland winner of one, providing Rob James with a double in the process.
Making his seasonal reappearance, this French-bred son of Al Namix bounced out and made every post a winning one, before quickening clear to record a two-length success from Myrons.
This likeable sort was carrying the Monbeg Syndicate colours and handler Donnachadh Doyle said: “I think this lad is very smart, he could be anything and I would say we will go to the sales now.”
Anthony Fox teamed up with handler Shark Hanlon to take the opening division of the Declan Gannon Builder five-year-old geldings’ maiden with the debutant Speak Of The Devil.
Always up with the pace, the imposing son of Mahler jumped and travelled well throughout, before staying on dourly to get the better of long-time leader Generator City by a length.
The Rachael O’Neill-owned chestnut is likely to head to the sales now and Hanlon said: “I have always liked this lad, we have been waiting for a bit of soft ground, and missing out the fences was no help to him as he jumps great.”
The concluding Pillo Hotel Ashbourne older maiden for novice riders, went the way of the Alison Murphy-trained Windor Vixon, who was getting off the mark on her 20th career start.
Having just her third start for the Tae For Four Syndicate, the seven-year-old picked up the running from the half-way point under Thomas Reilly before quickly going clear.
To her credit, the daughter of Kayf Tara stuck to her task well in the closing stages to see off Glacial Shadow by six lengths.
“She deserved that, we were expected her to be there or there abouts today and we will probably stay pointing now,” said the winning handler.
