A DOUBLE for Denis Murphy was the highlight of a good day’s racing as the Bray Harriers held their meeting at a sunny Tinahely.

The master of Ballyboy Stables got his day off to the best possible start with a win in the opening four-year-old maiden.

Eight went to post and all the pre-race word was for Murphy’s charge Break My Soul (6/4 -1/1 favourite), the only filly in the line-up.

The daughter of Doyen was a paddock pick beforehand and produced an eye-catching debut, jumping well and travelling strongly to lead before two out and score by a snug one and a half lengths from Electric Mason with Double Powerful a further six lengths back in third.

It was a professional performance by the filly who is following in the hoofprints of graded scorers Brandy Love and Telmesomethinggirl by making a winning debut against geldings in the spring campaign.

“She came off the late Pat Coffey’s dispersal sale – himself and his nephew Patrick, were a big part of the team for many years with loads of winners and it’s great to still have a connection with them now that they are both gone,” reported a delighted Murphy after watching his colours carried to victory.

When quizzed about the filly, he quipped with a smile: “She is very good. She didn’t look out of place against the boys there, did she?”

Murphy brought up his double in the open for novice riders as Lough Derg Spirit (1/2 - 4/7 favourite) was a warm order in this three-runner contest and he obliged with the minimum of fuss.

Content to track the pacesetting Solomn Grundy throughout, he asserted before two out to win by a comfortable three and a half lengths as Joey Dunne’s mount never gave favourite backers an anxious moment.

Wearing the colours of Mrs Catherine Murphy, the handler’s mother, Murphy explained that the Westerner gelding’s career had come full circle, as he had won a maiden for him at Athlacca in May 2016.

“We had him as a baby, then he was sold, and we bought him back for my mother. He has been consistent and is a good fun horse. We might try a trip to Aintree now [for the Foxhunters],” he said.

Six runners went to post for the five-year-old geldings’ maiden as championship leaders Colin Bowe and Barry O’Neill teamed up with Red Notice (3/1).

The chestnut son of Beat Hollow was the most experienced runner in the field, and he put that to good use as he stayed on well close home to beat Joie More by a neck.

Wearing the familiar black and green colours of Milestone Bloodstock Ltd, Bowe attributed the performance to the better ground that he encountered as he said: “We always liked him at home but he had been disappointing. That’s his first try on better ground and he has improved for it. We will try and get him sold now.”

Elusive Mae gets second win for Murphy and McElligott

THE Willie Murphy and Moira McElligott combination have been enjoying a good season and they recorded wins number six and three respectively for the season in the winners-of-two with Elusive Mae (7/2).

The daughter of Elusive Pimpernal had shown her liking for this venue at the January meeting when winning her maiden and she scored again under a brilliant tactical ride from McElligott.

In complete contrast to the front-running tactics that were employed in January, she was patiently ridden here in the six-runner field and delivered to perfection to challenge at the last and score by three quarters of a length from a gallant Old Style Humor.

“Ride of the year,” declared the delighted handler. “She took her time and let everything unfold in front of her, that was the plan going out.”

Target

When asked what next for The Three Counties Partnership-owned mare, Murphy put up the GAIN Mares’ Final as the next target for her.

Another Ballynoe bound for the GAIN final is the winner of the five-year-old mares’ maiden Fortune Dancer (2/1 - 6/4 favourite).

The Seán Doyle inmate had finished second on her latest start at Comea behind the smart looking All the Feels and was a six-length winner over the dead-heating pair of Lady Mags and Newmill Moll. Sent into the lead before two out, the Monbeg Partnership-owned chestnut was a ready winner under Jamie Scallan.

Doyle, training his 11th winner of the season was full of praise for the daughter of Soldier Of Fortune, as he said: “She had a good run the last day and improved loads from it. She is a mare that is well above average, and she might just turn up in the GAIN Mares Final. She is very smart.”

Forest Breezes

by his opponents

THE older maiden saw Forest Breeze (6/4 - 1/1 favourite) record an effortless 12-length win for the father and son team of John and Barry Walsh on their home turf.

Backed as though defeat was out of the question after two solid second placed efforts, the Quest For Peace gelding took up the lead travelling strongly before two out and won eased down from the long-time leader Linden Blaze.

The winning rider Barry Walsh, sporting the colours of his handler Dad reported: “He was due that and we fancied him today. He had run well the first day and then had two good seconds at Borris and Turtulla. We need to have a talk about what happens next, Sam Driver owns him, and I imagine he will be keen to try sell now. This is our local track, we’re only five minutes down the road so it’s great to win.”

Horse to Follow

Electric Mason (J.P. Brennan) - A son of Sandmason out of a Mutiplex dam, he was a very game second behind the very smart looking Break My Soul in the opening four-year-old maiden. While no match for the winner he had the measure of all his other rivals and can count himself unlucky to have met such a smart rival. He looks to be a winner in waiting.