A DECENT servant to the Mick & Molly Syndicate and Gavin Cromwell already, Aprils Joy struck on handicap hurdle debut in the Downpatrick feature.

A point-to-point, a maiden hurdle and a mile and six flat handicap have been secured by Aprils Joy since the beginning of last year. She added the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares’ Handicap Hurdle to her CV here.

Never far away in the hands of Conor Maxwell, the daughter of Ask, nicely-supported into 13/2 ‘on the show,’ found enough on the run-in to just hold Joeswayornoway by a neck.

Third and fourth, Rain In Spain and Lighthouse Rose, finished well also, a neck and the same back, after an exciting finish.

“I made plenty of use of her and let her roll down the hill. The ground is well enough watered, it is good and safe but she couldn’t have it quick enough. She just lasted out to the line,” said Maxwell.

Careless

Shane Fenelon was cautioned for riding carelessly aboard Back On The Bridle, in an incident where Shopping Around suffered interference approaching the home turn. The stewards didn’t make any alteration to the judge’s placings after Back On The Bridle had finished fifth and Shopping Around sixth.

Wee horse

There was a similar all-action conclusion in the second division of the Virtual Live Racing Handicap Hurdle with about a length and a quarter covering the first five across the line.

Dublin-native and RACE graduate Dylan Johnston was relieved to get a first win on the board as he kept the Harry Smyth-owned and trained Willyouwalkwithme (18/1) going well enough to beat Master Cornwall and Boomtown Girl by a nose and a neck.

Based up north now, Johnston was very thankful to Smyth in the aftermath.

The Ballyclare Co Antrim operator explained: “I told him (Johnston) I would get him a win. He knew where the line was and that’s a good wee horse.

“His saddle slipped the last time and I thought he would win today as he has been going well at home and had run well here before.

“I was one of the first ones to put up Rachael Blackmore and that’s that wee fella’s first winner.

“I only have three horses. As long as you keep it fun, you’re not getting into trouble!”

Donie McInerney picked up a four-day suspension for using his whip with excessive frequency on Master Cornwall.

THE smallest field of the day lined-up for the Toals Bookmakers Rated Novice Hurdle and the five runners served up some of the most interesting fare.

Mike O’Connor made all on Pimlico Racing Ireland and Henry de Bromhead’s Limerick scorer from 17 days earlier, Schone Aussicht (7/4). Favourite Clonbury Bridge got to within three-quarters of a length at the finish but couldn’t quite reach the winner.

Luke Dempsey was cautioned for his use of the whip on Clonbury Bridge.

Sixty races

On his 60th outing all told, Mr Moondance (18/1) had Cathal Landers aboard for the first time. We hadn’t seen the Windsor Knot 10-year-old since Listowel in September but that didn’t stop him taking the Vianstown Opportunity Handicap Hurdle.

For owner Brendan Flynn and trainer Mark McNiff, Mr Moondance did his usual domination from the front job and accounted for Blowing Dixie by six and a half lengths.

Jordan Gainford, rider of the favourite, Longacre Square, reported that his mount ran out at the fifth.

Castle wins

A third winner to return at a double-figure price was Massons Castle (14s into 11s) in division one of the Virtual Live Racing Handicap Hurdle.

Adam Short sported the silks of John Rabbitte on Dermot McLoughlin’s runner, and he could afford to be eased close home and still beat Getgo by seven lengths.

“I think he is still a bit of a baby. I think with that experience and a few more miles on the clock he could be a nice horse going forward,” said Short.

Strong Fakir D’Alene justifies favouritism

A BUSY spell of racing had yielded little for Denise Foster’s Cullentra House team in recent times. They registered a first win in about two and a half weeks when Fakir D’Alene justified 6/4 favouritism in the Toals Bookmakers Opportunity Maiden Hurdle.

Jordan Gainford donned the Bective Stud colours on the French-bred point-to-point winner. Fakir D’Alene showed stamina in abundance to defeat Silvertown by three and three-quarter lengths.

Charlie’s breakthrough

At the 14th time of asking, Charlie Siringo (2/1) made the breakthrough for Noel Meade and Eoin Walsh in the Ballyduggan Maiden Hurdle.

The Getaway gelding was brought with his challenge two out and soon hit the front.

He moved clear at the last and strode in by five lengths for owner Mrs Wakefield. Mr Caplan finished second at 12/1 and was four lengths clear of Whinny Hill (100/1).

There was merit in Carrigmoorna Elm’s debut fourth placing at Ballinrobe last month and she pushed on to bag the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares (Pro/Am) INH Flat Race.

The Old Fools Partnership and Declan Queally have a nice youngster on their hands if her seven-length victory over Maggie Barrett is anything to go by.

Mikey Sweeney took the reins on the Shantou four-year-old, a 3/1 chance, and they made a lot of the running, asserting superiority in the final couple of furlongs.

“We knew she would benefit from the run the last day and the ground (described as good) helped her as well,” commented Sweeney.

Well-supported favourite, the Mags Mullins-trained Rigmarole, could manage only sixth of the seven. She was found to be post-race normal.