RIDERS who had not ridden more than 15 winners in the past year, got the chance to shine on Ballinrobe’s second card of 2021. The featured Supermac’s Handicap Chase saw reserve Optical Confusion (11/2) make the line-up and do the business under Luke Dempsey.

Cheltenham Festival and Galway Plate winning pilot Dempsey got himself off the cold jockeys’ list with a first success of the year, on the Anthony Coughlan-owned and Michael Butler-trained Optical Confusion.

After the Windsor Knot gelding easily followed up on a Fairyhouse win from last month, by six lengths from Ciankyle, the successful handler’s son and namesake said: “Luke gave him a lovely patient ride and the owner deserves the success as he’s been patient too.

“Anthony Coughlan – he’s a Cork man. He loves the day out (at the races), so it’s a pity he can’t be here.”

Circumstances which led to a false start before this heat saw Conor Maxwell, Jordan Gainford, Eamonn Corbett, Mikey Hamill, Mark Bolger and Hugh Morgan all suspended for one race day.

In-form Ryan

Trainer John Ryan made a lightning-fast start to proceedings at the Co Mayo track with a 509/1 brace achieved after just three races.

The Fairyhill operator started as he was to go on in the opening Ballinrobe Racecourse Centenary Year Maiden Hurdle with newcomer Ferdia (33/1) scoring under Philip Donovan.

Ryan is delighted to have daughter Gillian as his assistant trainer and he also mentioned: “Father Shay Casey is into this fella with us as well (Bitview Partnership) so I’m delighted for everyone.”

Aboutagout and Cullaghs Star were eye-catching in second and fourth respectively, but Ferdia prevailed by a length and a half, with odds-on favourite Gee Rex (8/15) a disappointing sixth.

At an even shorter price Champagne Sparkles (1/3) was eventually pulled up in the Join tote.ie Maiden Hurdle as Ryan’s Brooks Falls got the better of Eat The Book by three-quarters of a length.

Tommy Brett did the steering in the silks of Jim Magill on the 14/1 victor and Ryan explained afterwards: “She’s a good mare that got a leg after winning her bumper at Listowel.

“Jim Magill, a wonderful man, bought her then. He’s been very patient and he’s a great owner. That’s my first winner for Jim and he’s from Co Down and runs Mount Mills. We use their products a lot and find them excellent for the horses.”

Jordan Gainford reported that Champagne Sparkles hated the ground and was never going. The horse was said to be blowing hard post-race.

Both divisions of the Wish You Were Here Opportunity Handicap Hurdle went the way of Philip Rothwell-trained horses. Oscer Romero (9/2 into 100/30) set the ball rolling with Hugh Morgan guiding him home at his ease by nine and a half lengths from Pino Boy.

“That’s for the best, most supportive and amazing owner (Oliver Barden) any man could wish to train for,” stated Rothwell. “If I were ever to get a superstar horse I’d hope it would be for him.

“He’s always had nice horses with me, but for the last, I don’t know how long, everything that could go wrong went wrong.

“It might be only an 80 to 95 but it means a lot to get that.”

The bang-in-form Co Wicklow outfit were at it again half-an-hour on as Galon De Vauzelle (100/30 favourite) registered a 12-length win in the hands of James O’Sullivan.

Well-backed second market choice Glorious Singer was joined by Galon De Vauzelle when falling at the last.

Rothwell explained: “I rang Tom Doran (owner) after this horse had come recommended, and he wasn’t hugely expensive after winning a point-to-point.

“He only won that by default, after the leader had gone the wrong side of a bale, but I knew he was one for the future given a patient approach.

“I’d spoken to Tom over the years and he’d expressed an interest in having a horse with me and he’s been hugely supportive. He asked me to target Ballinrobe with him and he’d obviously love to be here. I’m just delighted to get my first winner with these famous colours with my first horse for the owner.”

Of course the great Dorans Pride won his bumper at Ballinrobe in 1993 for Mayo native Doran.

AFTER an earlier reverse with Champagne Sparkles the Denise Foster yard got on the score-sheet courtesy of Gold Des Bois’ short head victory from Arvico Bleu in the Donnelly’s Of Barna Beginners Chase.

In the Robcour silks, Jordan Gainford was aboard Gold Des Bois (9/2 into 3/1 favourite) and this was the young Wexford man’s first winner at Ballinrobe’s track.

Townend winner

There was further Model County success as Bunclody’s Cormac Farrell sent out September Lady (4/1) to take the Connaught Telegraph (Ladies Pro/Am) INH Flat Race.

Recently crowned champion lady amateur Jody Townend brought home the Tom White-owned and bred September Lady with eight lengths to spare over Trim To Milan.

Listenheretomejack (11/2) foiled a gamble on Brides Hill (6/4 favourite) in the Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Hurdle.

For owner/breeder Martin Walsh, farmer, and publican at the Salmon Pool in Thomastown, Co Kilkenny, the Eoin Doyle-trained Listenheretomejack raced in mid-division, and he was a closer sixth on the inner two out.

Ridden approaching the last where he was fourth, the Masterofthehorse gelding went second inside the final furlong, staying-on well to lead in the last strides with Mike O’Connor (five winners over jumps, one on the flat) up.

Brides Hill ‘missed’ the second last and was ultimately beaten by half a length, after leading with every chance after the final flight.