THE talented Paloma Blue ended a lengthy spell without a win as he claimed a quality BoyleSports-sponsored conditions chase which was, in truth, one of better chases run in Ireland over the last few months.

Of the seven runners, five were rated in excess of 140 and the highest-rated runner in the race was this Henry de Bromhead-trained and Chris Jones-owned gelding who was good enough to finish fourth in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham a couple of years ago.

Almost two months after running a respectable third to Peregrine Run in a Grade 3 at Killarney, the Rachael Blackmore-ridden gelding was dropping back to two miles which was the trip that provided him with his most recent success at Leopardstown in December 2018.

The well-backed 2/1 favourite travelled nicely and took charge on the approach to the straight as the pace-setters Ornua and Djingle began to struggle.

Western Victory, who ran especially well after winning a mares’ beginners’ chase at Roscommon last time, led the chase in the straight but was still three lengths adrift at the line.

“It’s nice for him to win again. I’d say we will aim towards the Fortria Chase at Navan in November and possibly he will head to Gowran before then for the Grade 2 PWC Chase in early October,” declared the trainer who was sending out his fifth winner in seven days.

Rapid Response (7/4), who chased home Western Victory at Roscommon on her penultimate start, was a dominant winner of the BoyleSports-sponsored beginners’ chase over an extended three miles. This race was for horses rated 116 or less over hurdles and it was turned into a procession by Paddy Kennedy’s mount who relished her first try at this trip.

She sauntered clear of the field from the turn-in and extended that advantage all the way to the line to come home 19 lengths ahead of Ozzie’s Way.

Jessica Harrington trains the six-year-old for Alan and Ann Potts Limited and she looks a mare who is really going to prosper over fences over the next few months.

IT was an excellent afternoon for Liz Doyle who notched up a double for a pair of owner-breeders and the first of these winners came courtesy of Yabo in the second division of the BoyleSports-sponsored mares’ maiden hurdle.

A first winner for Sean Flanagan since he returned from a fractured sternum sustained towards the end of July, Yabo (3/1) was never out of the first two. This Dylan Thomas mare lost the lead to Westcoast Tiger at the last but she rallied splendidly to shade a bobbing finish by a nose. In the colours of locally-based breeder Ned Power, she was delivering on the promise she showed to reach the frame in a couple of heavy ground bumpers last winter.

Flanagan picked up a two-day whip ban for his efforts.

Liz Doyle’s double was completed by Blaze A Trail (10/1) and Sean O’Keeffe in the Download The BoyleSports App Handicap Chase over two and a half miles which saw the rider’s claim reduced from 5lb to 3lb. After struggling to make an impact in beginners’ chases this gelding was trying his hand in handicap company for the first time and he edged into a clear lead turning for home.

Just as he did so Gold Sun emerged as a huge threat on the outer but that one fell when holding every chance two out which left the Jack Kidd-owned and bred gelding to score by six and a half lengths.

Bright start

Meanwhile, a bright start to the season for Bryan Cooper continued as The Sliding Rock (7/2), who crept into the race as a first reserve, made a winning start over hurdles in the first division of the BoyleSports-sponsored two-and-a-half-mile mares’ maiden hurdle.

The Gordon Elliott-trained bay assumed control of the race turning for home and found plenty for pressure to see off Lady Rocco and, lastly, Where’s Bunny. The daughter of Shantou had been placed in two of her four outings in bumpers and she carries the colours of the trainer’s long standing patron Caren Walsh.

“She’s a grand mare who stays well and I thought she jumped quite well for a mare having her first run over hurdles. She should be able to improve on this,” stated the trainer.

NEWRY-based trainer Sean McParlan made the journey to Wexford a worthwhile one as Deadheat (7/1) captured the 0-109 rated BoyleSports-sponsored extended three-mile handicap chase.

This seven-year-old, a half-brother to the Grade 1-winning Great Field, was once a decent jumper in France and was making just his second appearance on an Irish racecourse following a third at Killarney the previous week. Noel McParlan was on board his father’s charge who took the measure of Cushinstown Finest after two out and went on to defeat Top Question by a length.

Gotthenod returned to the form that saw him win a Kilbeggan maiden hurdle last season as he sprang a 40/1 surprise in the BoyleSports-sponsored 80-102 rated two-and-a-half-mile handicap hurdle.

Dot Love’s charge had dropped 12lb in the weights since making her handicap debut last summer but she turned in a vastly improved effort under Simon Torrens.

She seemed sure to be picked off by the recent Ballinrobe winner Dave And Bernie turning for home but fought off that one after the last and got to the line two and a half lengths in front of Rebel Waltz.

The daughter of Famous Name is owned by Tommy Ward. The winner will stay hurdling for the time being but will go chasing during the winter.