LAYFAYETTE (94) crowned a superb week for Noel Meade landing the Irish Lincolnshire on the opening day of the turf season at the Curragh.

It paid to be drawn low with four of the first five home housed in stalls one to five with the exception being eye-catching runner-up Maker Of Kings.

Chris Hayes was able to take a position just behind the leaders and could be seen travelling strongly as the field approached the two-furlong pole.

Once given the room to manoeuvre, the four-year-old seized his opportunity, running down the equally well-drawn Comfort Line and Star Of Cashel. Maker Of Kings (94) was the big closer having had to wait for the gaps to appear.

The other performance to note was that of Mirann (91) who will no doubt to stepping up in trip after this promising first outing of the season.

The opening maiden went the way of Jim Bolger’s Missing Matron (74) who could be named the winner some way from home.

The feature of the performance was the closing sectional of 37.5 seconds which was only bettered by the 101-rated Downforce (37.2) in the following race.

Midlands National

Following a chastening Cheltenham Festival, the Marstons Midlands Grand National at Uttoxeter on Saturday offered some partial respite to a beleaguered home team with victory going the way of the Jonjo O’Neill-trained Time To Get Up (63).

However, according to the clock, the race to concentrate on with the future in mind was the novice chase earlier on the card won by Ask Me Early (70).

Harry Fry’s gelding arrived on something of a recovery mission having been pulled at Sandown. Rider Sean Bowen was happy to track the leader Shanty Alley (69) who led the field at a good gallop. With three fences to take, notable gaps were materialising as Bowen and his grey partner posted the fastest closing sectionals of the day, coming home 1.2 seconds faster than the two-and-a-half-mile handicap later on the card.

The seven-year-old is a strong stayer and may well be one for either the Welsh Grand National or the Midlands back here next season. Brianstorm was smuggled into the race late on to deny the fading Shanty Alley the silver medal his efforts deserved. The Venetia Williams-trained gelding and he can win again if the ground stays soft.