DEREK O’Connor’s only ride on the card, Cinammon Roll (2/1 - 4/5 favourite) created a favourable impression on debut in the first divide of the four-year-old geldings’ maiden.

The first foal out of a five-time winner in France, this Sam Curling-trained bay was given a patient ride by O’Connor, making steady progress from four out.

Edging right after getting to the front on the run-in, the Alan Harte-owned victor kept going well to see off fellow debutant Daly Boy by a length, with the always-prominent Sleedagh just a neck away in third.

“He is a lovely horse and was just about ready to go. He was very green when he hit the front,” Curling reflected. “Alan bought him as a two-year-old and he’ll head to the sales now.”

After saddling the runner-up in the opening divide, landowner Matthew Flynn O’Connor claimed the second divide with Top Guy (7/4 - 1/1 favourite).

Second at Ballingarry in May and a faller on his return to action at Ballindenisk the previous Sunday, this Court Cave bay raced in mid-division under Brian Lawless.

Making progress on the long run after four out, he got to the front before the next and extended his advantage when ridden from the last, easing to a 10-length win.

Tough horse

“He was still going well when he fell last weekend and he finished second last season. He’s a tough horse and he’ll go to the sales at Cheltenham now,” owner, trainer Flynn O’Connor reported.

A trip to the sales is also on the cards for Sallyville Lady (5/4 – 4/6 favourite), after her easy win in the opening four-year-old mares’ maiden.

Providing Eamonn Doyle with his third success, the front-running bay was left clear when Kinginthefield, who had just improved to dispute the lead, slipped up on the approach to three out.

The Rob James-ridden victor subsequently sauntered to a 10-length success, with just three of the nine starters managing to complete the course.

“She’s a beautiful mare and is owned by cousins of mine, Declan and Hugh Doyle [Mossy Fen Stables Partnership],” the winning handler disclosed.

“The plan was to go out in front and ride her like the best mare in the race. We picked her up at the Tattersalls May Store Sale and she’ll head back to the sales now.”

JUST a few days after picking up the point-to-point prize at the annual HRI awards, David Christie tasted further success with Winged Leader (2/5 - 1/2 favourite) in the novice riders’ open.

Registering an unprecedented 14th win in a row, the John Hegarty and Jennifer O’Kane-owned 10-year-old attempted to make all under Josh Williamson.

Joined by Milan Forth before three out, the reigning champion point-to-pointer made a slight mistake at the next, but soon regained an outright advantage, eventually coming home four and a half lengths to the good.

“He is unreal, what can you say about him,” Christie enthused.

“He waits and waits now and when something comes to try and beat him, he pulls out more. If they had gone 10 seconds quicker per lap, he would have been even better.

“He comes out squealing and bucking and I’m conscious that while he’s well, we’ll keep motoring.”

Odds-on defeat

There was an odds-on reverse for favourite backers in the five-year-old and upwards geldings’ maiden, with the Donnchadh Doyle-trained Matty’s Getaway (5/1 - 10/1) leading home stable companion Catalani (7/4 - 4/7 favourite).

Failing to complete in two starts last season, the successful Getaway-sired bay led early under Alan Harney and regained the lead before the eighth fence.

While briefly looking vulnerable when the market leader improved into second after three out, he soon went on again and had five lengths to spare at the line.

“I thought he was a lovely horse last season, but he disappointed,” Doyle, who trains the winner for the Monbeg Syndicate, remarked.

“Young Alan gave him a lovely ride and they got into a lovely rhythm.

“The dam [Shadow Eile] was a good mare and I have a full-brother to him at home.”

DONNING her own silks, Pandora Briselden (5/1 - 4/1) guided I Masked Du Potier to victory in the concluding winners-of two.

Beaten by just half-a-length on his first start for Briselden at Moig South last month, the Pat Doyle-trained chesnut was never far from the pace in this nine-runner heat.

Coming with his challenge before the last, the Masked Marvel six-year-old ultimately outstayed the front-running Longhouse Star on the run-in, with a length and a half between them at the line.

“He finished second the first time for me and I should have won on him that day, but I was a bit inexperienced,” Briselden, who was registering her second success in the saddle, divulged.

“He knows what he is doing, he is very straightforward.

“Susie and Jack [Doyle] have been very helpful, and they’ve told me what to do with him. I listened to them this time and it’s paid off.”

Nine also lined-up for the five-year-old and upwards mares’ maiden, with Crohan Lady (7/2 - 4/1) coming out on top under Cal Shine.

Owned, trained and bred by Ardfinnan-based James Condon, the Fairly Ransom six-year-old put in a career best performance to finish third the previous Sunday at Ballindenisk.

Coming to challenge the front-running Richieandsams Lady before the last, the bay victor then had a scrap with Our Girl Sal on the run-in, eventually getting the better of that rival by half-a-length.

“We had high hopes coming here, the ground probably went on her last week,” Condon commented.

“We’ll give her a break now and hopefully there will be more to come with her in the new year.”

Horse to Follow

Diamond Flush (Colin Bowe): Despite being the stable second string, this James Dunne-owned home-bred made good late progress to finish a never-nearer third in the race won by Top Guy.

The first foal out of a sister to 10-time winner Threeunderthrufive, it’ll be interesting to see if he can build on this effort.