WHILE the threat of frost forced an early morning inspection, it was a dense fog that played havoc at the first of two Borris House fixtures this season.

Visibility was poor for five of the seven races down for decision, with Gordon Elliott matching his Grade 1 Fairyhouse double in more modest surrounds.

The Cullentra handler struck first with the attractive €28,000 Tattersalls Derby Sale purchase Machismo (3/1), in what was an incident-packed second divide of the four-year-old geldings’ maiden.

From the family of Shattered Love, the Harry Swan-ridden victor was always towards the head of affairs in the colours of the Crocodile Pockets Syndicate.

A loose horse carried out both King Diamond and Humdilla on separate occasions, with the winner almost suffering the same fate on the approach to five out.

In a definite lead from the third last, the successful Ocovango bay kept on well when ridden before the final fence, getting the better of Jack To Bat by three and a half lengths.

Jumped well

“He was a little bit green but jumped well and galloped away to the line,” Swan commented.

“The loose horse didn’t help him, but when push came to shove, he gave me a lovely feel.”

Elliott completed his brace in the open for novice riders, with Hardline (6/4 - 5/4 favourite) easily accounting for nine rivals in the colours of Swan’s aunt Janet Williamson.

Ridden by her son Josh, it was a first win between the flags for the capable teenager, who has already twice tasted success on the racecourse.

A winner at the highest level in 2018, the Arcadio bay got to the front before two out and soon extended his advantage, eventually coming home 18-lengths clear.

“I can’t thank my parents enough for buying him as he wasn’t cheap,” the winning rider said in the aftermath. We will see how it goes but we might consider going to Aintree with him.”

Surprise

Favourite backers had to settle for second in the five-year-old geldings’ maiden, with the thrice-raced The Gypsy Davey (10/1) springing a surprise under Jimmy O’Rourke for owner/breeder William Bates.

Making all, the John Martin Walsh-trained victor was tackled by expensive Derby Sale purchase Kenny’s Park on the approach to the second last, but battled on gamely when ridden, seeing off his aforementioned rival by three and a half lengths.

“We rode him in behind the last day, but we said we’d go out in front today and try something different,” Walsh, who had Corach Rambler in his early days, explained.

SADDLING his first runner of the season, Paul Cashman unleashed a smart prospect in the shape of Holly Brook (5/2 - 3/1) in the opening four-year-old mares’ maiden.

Bought for just €12,500 at the Tattersalls May Store Sale, the Mount Nelson bay was always close to the pace in the colours of Cashman’s mother, Catherine, and was sent to the front before three out.

Pressed before the next, she was never asked a serious question by James Murphy and led home fellow debutant Split In Two, who made a mistake at the last, by a length and a half.

“She is a lovely mare and was doing everything right at home,” the winning handler reflected.

“We were quietly confident, but you never know until you put the gun to their head. She is very straightforward and James said he hardly had to touch her.”

Sole finisher

While all bar one of 11 managed to complete the course in the opener, there was just a sole finisher in the 13-runner concluding six-year-old and upwards maiden, with Ask Mike (2/1 – 11/4 favourite) coming home in splendid isolation.

After going down narrowly at Knockmullen, the Light Syndicate-owned bay was well-fancied to go a place better under Rob James.

Easing to the front before two out, the market leader had the measure of Flash Conroy when he ran out at the last, with Haggard, the only remaining runner, refusing at the final fence.

“He was due a win and might go for the maiden hunter chase at Limerick over Christmas now,” winning handler Michael Butler, who witnessed his granddaughter Charlotte Butler register her first success in Ireland at Fairyhouse the previous afternoon, divulged.

THE success of Port Joulain (4/1) in the first division of the four-year-old geldings’ maiden, rounded off an excellent 24 hours for Denis Murphy.

On the mark with River Agent the previous afternoon at Lingstown, the Ballyboy Stables operator then sold Dromahane third The Bluesman for £200,000 at the Goffs Coral Gold Cup Sale.

A €78,000 Derby Sale purchase, Port Joulain was settled in mid-division by Jack Hendrick, taking closer order from halfway.

In front after three out, the French-bred victor kicked a few lengths clear before the next and kept up the gallop all the way to the line, with De Kingpin six-lengths away in second.

Homework

“In the last six weeks he is after growing up and maturing, and his homework has been brilliant,” Murphy, who also owns the winner, revealed.

Hendrick was out of luck in the five-year-old mares’ maiden, parting company with the favourite Take A Hike, who was coming with her challenge at the time, two fences from home.

The Sean Osborne-trained Kyle Valley (4/1 – 5/1) eventually came out on top under Pa King in this eight-runner affair, holding off the late surge of Florita and Finian Maguire by a length and a half.

“I had a good few winners years ago, but I just took back out the licence this year to run a couple,” the Shillelagh-based winning handler remarked.

“She hadn’t really been well when she ran last season, but she is after coming back to herself now.

“She is owned by Caroline Doyle and her husband Micheal, and it’s Micheal’s birthday today.”

Relieved Of Duties (D. P. Murphy): Towards rear in the early stages, this €85,000 Goffs Land Rover Sale purchase made good progress from the fourth last, with his effort ultimately petering out in the straight. Sure to have learned plenty on debut, he is likely to be a different proposition on his next start.