AFTER looking as good as ever in landing the previous week’s Glencairn Stakes, the indefatigable Flight Risk duly followed up in the Group 3 Plusvital Ballycorus Stakes which he was winning for the second time in three years.

This victory marked the continuation of remarkable sequence of success in this race for Jim Bolger and Kevin Manning who were enjoying their seventh Ballycorus triumph – the first having come with Noora Abu all the way back in 1987.

The Jackie Bolger-owned eight-year-old had never previously recorded back-to-back successes but the authority of his victory last week meant that he was sent off the 10/11 favourite and once again he won well.

Flight Risk picked up smartly to take charge of this race entering the last furlong and he went to the line well to finish a length and a quarter ahead of Inverleigh with the ageless Gordon Lord Byron back in third.

“He’s really come right and we’ll keep him going as he’s had a relatively easy couple of years (owing to soundness issues). He could go for the Group 2 Minstrel Stakes at the Curragh next month,” said Bolger.

There was further joy for odd- on punters in the amateur riders’ maiden where Royal Illusion (8/11) struck for Willie and Patrick Mullins.

The Ballylinch Stud-owned dual bumper winner travelled through the race supremely well and when she eventually came off the bridle in the closing stages she did enough to get home by a length from Jerandme.

“The ground is as quick as she wants and with that in mind I didn’t want to get her off the bridle sooner than I had to. She travelled very well and I think she could come back in trip and easier ground would suit her better,” reported the rider.

Lyons moves up a gear

GER Lyons has been sparing with his two-year-old runners thus far but has been making waves with his occasional forays in the division. On Thursday he introduced a smart-looking newcomer in Justifier (9/2) in the seven-furlong Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden.

A third winner from four two-year-old runners for the trainer this year, this colt produced a nice effort under Colin Keane to get on top inside the distance and defeat the once-raced Potala Palace by a length. A first winner for freshman sire Free Eagle, Justifier is owned by Sean Jones and is out of a half-sister to Kew Gardens.

“We’ve been tender with our two-year-olds so far but hopefully there are all queuing up and ready to go now,” stated Lyons. “This is a lovely colt with a great temperament and I’d expect there is huge improvement in him. He’ll head for a winners’ race before moving up in grade.”

After Colin Keane landed the opener, Donnacha O’Brien struck back in the three-year-old mile handicap with a masterful effort on Cnoc An Oir (8/1) who came from last turning in to defeat Sky Seven by a head.

The manner in which the Joan Brosnan-owned filly pulled victory out of the fire here would suggest that blacktype is a realistic aim for this well-bred daughter of Born To Sea who is a half-sister to the dam of Magna Grecia.

Joseph O’Brien’s charge disappointed last time behind Foxtrot Liv at Killarney but this was much more in keeping with her first two runs.

The 81-rated Morpho Blue (13/8) took advantage of a good opportunity in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden over seven furlongs to continue Jessica Harrington’s good run of form.

The Sue Magnier and Diane Nagle-owned daughter of Mastercraftsman quickened up well for Shane Foley to lead entering the last furlong and finished two and a half lengths ahead of the staying-on Time Tunnel.

Henry de Bromhead registered his first success of the flat season with a back-to-form Roibeard (11/1) in the Fitzers Catering Rated Race.

The six-year-old, who was recording the a fourth career success, picked up well for Wayne Lordan over the last furlong and a half to get the better of the front-running Park Row by half a length. Roibeard carries the colours of the Carrodown Syndicate.

Some solace for Lavery

EASILY the most popular result of the night came courtesy of Galeola (20/1) in the mile and seven furlongs handicap which provided Sheila Lavery with some degree of solace just two days after she was dealt the cruellest of blows with the heart-breaking loss of Lady Kaya.

On her handicap debut and just the fourth outing of her career, this imposing four-year-old daughter of Rip Van Winkle won with something to spare under Robbie Colgan.

This filly, who is owned by the trainer’s brother John, will certainly be adding to her tally in the coming weeks.