LAST Friday week was a red-letter day for amateur Daire McConville who recorded his first racecourse success when winning the second division of the two-and-a-half-mile handicap hurdle at Fairyhouse on the always-prominent Boogily Lane.

Daire (23), who has eight point-to-point wins to his credit, is in his final year studying civil engineering at the University of Ulster, Jordanstown. He was accompanied to the Co Meath meeting by his father, and the horse’s trainer, Stephen (a builder in Portadown), with whom he rides out each morning. They have five horses in work with elder brother, and former amateur, Michael, coming in from his job in construction to help out when needed.

Boogily Lane, who is a 10-year-old by Tikkanen, was bred by the late Johnny Vance and is the second of just three recorded foals out of the Rashar mare Ninaprettybalerina who won three point-to-point races under Vance, two at Necarne Castle.

There were also National Hunt wins for Caoilin Quinn and Conor Orr (one apiece), two for Danny McMenamin and three for Brian Hughes.

Keenan’s double

On the flat, Co Sligo-born Darragh Keenan recorded a double at Newcastle last Friday week and a double for Co Donegal’s Martin Harley at Lingfield on Saturday included victory in the Listed Spring Cup on the Peter Charalambous-trained Apollo One.

The Sean McElroy-bred six-year-old gelding Killer Kane (by Oscar out of Native Idea, by Be My Native) initiated a quick double for trainer Colin Tizzard and jockey Harry Cobden when winning his maiden on his third start over hurdles at Exeter on Tuesday.

On the flat there was a mile maiden success at Dundalk on the Friday evening for the Jessica Harrington-trained, Shane Foley-ridden Jungle Cove. That four-year-old Mastercraftsman gelding was bred by Max Ervine and is the fourth of five foals, and fourth winner, out of the Navan maiden winner Purple Glow (by Orientate).

“I NEVER imagined when this started last year that we would still be in the same situation exactly 12 months on,” commented Down Royal chief executive officer Emma Meehan ahead of the track’s second St Patrick’s day meeting behind closed doors on Wednesday. “However, we are delighted that elite sport can continue as the industry supports so many local jobs. I am feeling increasingly hopeful that, due to the strong vaccine roll-out here and proposed lifting of restrictions, that Down Royal will be in a position to welcome some form of public come summer.”