HAVING already produced a Grade 1 mare in Honeysuckle, Jerry Cosgrave certainly looks to have another nice type on his hands in the form of Ballela (5/2 – 4/1) who ran out an impressive winner of the five- and six-year-old mares’ maiden.

Ridden by Mark O’Hare and carrying the colours of Liam Cosgarve, the daughter of Shantaram showed a nice turn of foot on what was her debut, coming home 15 lengths clear of Mullaghmore Wave.

“Two of my sons and a brother of mine own her so it’s a family affair. She is for sale now if there is anybody about to buy her. We thought a lot of her at home, but we thought she would like softer ground and thankfully she handled that well. Myself and Mark have certainly had a few decent winners together over the years,” commented the successful handler.

Cormac Doyle saddled his third winner of the season, courtesy of Oscar Elite (3/1 - 6/1) who took the five and six-year-old geldings’ maiden in good style. Bouncing back to form, the Monbeg Farm Racing Partnership-owned gelding saw off a host of challengers on the run to the final fence, before quickening up smartly to record a five-length success over Here We Have It.

Afterwards the Wexford handler commented: “He looked good there, he had a lovely first run in Dromahane and we fancied him the last day in Ballycrystal. He wasn’t right afterwards, so we gave him a couple of weeks off and we were confident coming up here today. If this lad doesn’t go for a bumper he will go to one of the sales.”

Abbey best in the auction

GREENROCK Abbey (6/1 - 4/1) took the opening four-year-old auction maiden for owner/handler Denis Murphy. With race conditions stating that horses must have cost €25,000 or less as stores, the debutant was well within the qualifications he cost €10,000 at the Tattersalls Ireland August NH Sale last summer.

Ridden by Luke Murphy, the son of El Salvador picked up nicely turning in, only to idle a little on the run to the line, coming home a length clear of the rallying Monkstreet. Representing the absent handler, Liam Gahan said: “He was good there, my brother Paul Gahan and Denis Murphy own him. We liked this lad at home, he is a lovely horse and he will head to one of the sales now.”

On his second start for Marshall Watson, Well Bill (4/1) recorded his second career success in the winners of three contest. Having finished second around here back in January, the nine-year-old reversed the form with Like A Demon to record a six-length success in the colours of Claire Watson.

Providing rider Daire McConville with his eighth career winner, the son of Oscar battled gamely in the closing stages to record his first victory in almost three years. With the winning handler on duty at Gowran Park, his father Keith stated: ‘The last day he was a bit short, but he was spot on today. He might go to Downpatrick in a couple of weeks for a Hunters Chase. My wife owns him and my son trains him so you can’t get much better than that!’

Back-to-back wins for Turley

HANDLER Paddy Turley enjoyed success in the adjacent winners’ race for the second year in succession when saddling the Andrew Pearson-owned Double Smart to victory. A maiden winner around Kirkistown back in the Autumn, the eight-year-old was once again ridden by Declan Lavery here.

Having raced second for much of the contest, the daughter of Flemensfirth overcame a good tussle with the eventual runner-up Dento Des Obeaux to win by four lengths. “She is in foal to Order Of St George. She will hopefully go to the track now. I am in the middle of getting my trainers’ licence so if that comes through on time and we haven’t run out of days to run her she will go for a mares’ maiden hurdle,” commented Paddy Turley.

The Wilson Dennison-owned Tardree (3/1) never saw another rival when taking the concluding six-year-old and upwards maiden for novice riders. Ridden by Paddy McGuigan the free-going son of Mahler quickly opened up a ready advantage and was almost a fence clear by the half-way point.

On his ninth attempt, the six-year-old showed no signs of stopping in the closing stages coming home 15 lengths clear of Gigiplan Two Seven.

“He had loads of solid form, he has been unlucky a couple of times. He has had a couple of operations for his wind and that probably helped him too. Paddy gave him a great ride; he isn’t easy and can be a bit keen. A couple of our horses were a bit sick, but they have all galloped to the line today, so I’m delighted. If he isn’t sold, he will go for a winners’ race,” said handler Colin McKeever.

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In-foal winner

FOLLOWING her success in the adjacent winners’ race, Double Smart was reported to be in foal to Order Of St George. Having been covered 14 days previously, connections have a further 106 days to race the well-bred daughter of Flemensfirth, as according to IHRB regulations mares can only compete in races during their first 120 days of pregnancy.

14 rider bans

A TOTAL of 14 riders received a two-day suspension following an incident resulting in a false start during the five- and six-year-old geldings’ maiden, with only two riders escaping a sanction. Unless appealing, riders are set to miss the 15th and 21st of this month.

El Salvador first

EL Salvador sired his first winner from just his second point-to-point runner following the success of Greenrock Abbey in the four-year-old maiden.

Standing for €1,500 at Killack Stud, the son of Galileo won the Irish Cesarewitch for Aidan O’Brien and was rated 108 in his prime.

Horse to Follow

Mullaghmore Wave (A. Fleming): She stepped up nicely on her debut to finish second here under Jordan Gainford, behind what looked an above average winner. Although her jumping will need to improve, she certainly looks like maiden-winning material.