ONE of the highest-rated horses to set foot in Ballinrobe lived up to his billing as Ballyoisin returned from 624 days off the track to win the Corrib Oil Chase.

Enda Bolger’s charge was well-treated by the race conditions and even though he had a lengthy absence to defy he had a good deal in hand on official figures, and he was always going to be hard to beat if able to run to anything approaching his best.

Ultimately the J.P. McManus-owned gelding never had to be asked a searching question by Mark Walsh. He showed much of his old verve and his fencing over the course of the final circuit was impressive and clinical. The winner of seven blacktype events coming into this race, Ballyoisin already had matters in hand when he approached the last and he could afford a somewhat deliberate jump there and still run out an easy four-and-a-half-length winner over Exit Poll.

“He’s had so many issues with his knees but Ger Kelly and all his team have done a great job with him for us and the horse has been giving us the right signs at home over the last few weeks.

“I’m just so happy to see him so full of zest there today,” said Enda Bolger whose charge was last seen finishing second in the 2019 Hilly Way Chase at Cork. “He hadn’t seen a fence since the last day he ran and Mark said he was good around here although he is probably a bit better going left-handed. He’ll probably head now for the Fortria Chase at Navan in November which he has won twice before.”

McManus double

There was further joy for McManus in the night’s feature, the Hollymount Nursing Home Handicap Hurdle for four-year-olds, where Flying Scotsman justified 3/1 favouritism. A flat winner on successive days at last year’s Galway Festival and victorious over hurdles at Navan in June, this Joseph O’Brien inmate looked quite laboured at times under Mark Walsh who picked up a two-day careless riding ban.

However, the Galileo gelding hung in to stay in contention and got a lovely seam between the leaders to challenge and strike the front in the straight before getting home by a head from Varna Gold.

The most impressive performance of the evening came from the Willie Mullins newcomer Nikini (4/5) in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies INH Flat Race. A half-sister to six winners, five of whom won bumpers, this daughter of Sea Moon cruised through this race for Patrick Mullins and looked to be full of running approaching the straight.

Once she was asked to quicken, she did so really well to put a dozen lengths between herself and her opponents to warrant a rousing reception from the Gorm Agus Ban Syndicate which saw the winning rider salute the crowd as he crossed the line.

This race has been won by some decent types in the past, notably Gypsy Island, and this filly could have a real future.

“A friend of mine, Cathal Coughlan, asked me to find a horse for him so John O’Connor very kindly leased us this mare,” reported the rider. “She’s not very big but she has plenty of speed and I think she could go back on the flat. She could also go for the listed mares’ bumper in Gowran.”

PHILIP Byrnes is wasting no time making his mark as a professional rider and, fresh from his first winner in the paid ranks on Saturday, the rider joined forces with his elder brother Cathal to bring up a double which was the first brace of their respective careers.

The first to strike for the Byrnes team was Kendancer in the Adare Manor Opportunity Maiden Hurdle over two and a quarter miles owned by Peter Acheson.

This 114-rated five-year-old posted a number of decent efforts this time last year and looked the clear pick on overall form although his last couple of efforts might haf left a little room for improvement.

The well-backed 11/8 favourite made no mistake this time as he led between the last two flights and brushed aside the effort of Coastguard Station off the last bend to prevail by just under four lengths.

Tanking

The double was brought up by the Pauline Twiss-owned Metersandmasks (9/1) in the BoyleSports-sponsored mares’ maiden hurdle over an extended two and three-quarter miles.

This five-year-old had shaped with promise on two of her three previous outings and, after being settled towards the rear initially, she tanked her way to the front early on the final circuit.

Despite her exertions she still had more than enough left in reserve for the closing stages as she fended off the favourite Erins Benefit before then containing the staying-on Sweet Street by two and a quarter lengths.

Kilashee and Father Jed continue Ryan’s red-hot streak

JOHN Ryan has enjoyed some great days at Ballinrobe and here he captured both divisions of the 80-95 rated handicap hurdle over an extended two and three-quarter miles. The trainer firstly combined with Shane Fitzgerald and the Bit View Partnership-owned mare Kilashee who stepped up markedly in trip following two previous placed runs over much shorter trips.

The 7/1 chance got home by a length and three-quarters from Different Beat.

It was then the turn of the Ryan-trained Father Jed aboard whom Bryan Cooper employed sharply contrasting tactics to the yard’s first winner. The Ryan-owned 10-year-old was among the backmarkers heading out on the final circuit but steadily improved his position.

The 9/2 second favourite then ran down the market leader Let Her Flow in the straight to score by five lengths and record his first win in two and a half years.

Dabbler finally

A very well deserved first success came the way of Liam Cusack’s The Dabbler in the near three-mile beginners’ chase for horses rated 116 or less over hurdles. The Michael Heery-owned and -bred gelding was lining up as a 17-race maiden. The Dabbler looked booked for a minor role as Wa Wa (66/1 - 22/1) appeared to have taken control after two out but he answered Eoin Walsh’s every call to find a way past.