THROUGHOUT the year Adrian McGuinness has shown just what he can do with a better type of horse and this point was yet again in evidence in the penultimate stakes race of the season as new recruit Harry’s Bar outpointed stablemate Laugh A Minute in the Listed Belgrave Stakes.

In a switch from its traditional Derby weekend slot, this six-furlongs race turned into a bonanza for McGuinness and his owners Shamrock Thoroughbreds and it also enabled Harry’s Bar to make a significant initial return on his purchase price.

Just nine days previously at Newmarket, this 106-rated five-year-old was picked up for 75,000gns and he secured €22,500 with this successful Irish debut.

Wayne Lordan took the mount on the 5/2 chance who enjoyed a smooth passage through the race and came between horses to lead over a furlong from home. At this point, Harry’s Bar was being tracked through by Laugh A Minute but the latter couldn’t quite peg back his stablemate and he went down by a neck with Inflection Point running a huge race to take third.

“Stephen Thorne rang me from the sales last week and said we can’t let this horse go and he bought him for Shamrock Thoroughbreds,” said McGuinness. “We’ll target the all-weather championships on Good Friday with him.”

Winning debut

Lordan, who only recently returned from fracturing a shoulder blade at Listowel, was also successful on a promising sort in Lough Derg (11/1) who made a winning debut in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF (C&G) Maiden over seven furlongs.

This Aidan O’Brien-trained son of Galileo and Easton Angel looked decidedly raw for much of the race but from the turn in it was apparent that he was going to post a pleasing debut effort and then he finished out his race with great purpose to nail Colour Sergeant in the last few strides.

“He was green but he impressed me. I thought he did very well to pick up the leaders and I’d say there’s plenty more to come from him,” stated Lordan.

It was quite a night for champion apprentice Gavin Ryan who bagged a treble which showcased the qualities which have played their part in a tremendous campaign for the young jockey.

Appropriately Ryan’s evening featured a winner for his boss Donnacha O’Brien as the talented Hazel got off the mark in the seven-furlong Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden.

This Chantal Regalado Gonzalez-owned winner had filled the runner-up spot on her first two outings before coming up short at Group 3 level but she returned in good shape from three months off.

A confident Ryan only asked Hazel (9/2) to strike the front deep inside the distance and he judged things to perfection as the daughter of No Nay Never landed in front late in the day and just held on from the promising newcomer Joan Of Arc.

“We’ve always thought a lot of her and she just has to get there late. She might start back in the Guineas Trial at Leopardstown next April,” reported O’Brien.

Adrian McGuinness and Shamrock Thoroughbreds also struck with Eglish (9/2) who had the benefit of Ryan’s assistance in the first division of the 45-65 rated seven-furlong handicap. This all-weather specialist, who notched up three wins in succession in the early part of the year, finished with half a length to spare over Lansing. Eglish is likely to feature at Dundalk through the winter.

Ryan’s treble concluded with a 40/1 winner as Pachmena landed the 45-70 three-year-old handicap over an extended 10 furlongs. Johnny Feane’s charge was second in a Limerick maiden over an extended six furlongs a couple of months ago but had run poorly in two subsequent outings.

However, the daughter of Sir Percy thrived for the switch to better ground and a marked step-up in trip as she defeated Sienna Lady by a neck. This Antoinette Kavanagh-owned winner could progress further this winter.

THE Ger Lyons stalwart Bucky Larson has enjoyed a good year and he made it three wins for 2020 in quite a decent looking Hollywoodbets Handicap over a mile. In addition to his two previous wins this year, the Sean Jones and Lynne Lyons-owned gelding had shown up well in a few premier handicaps and, on balance deserved to add to his tally.

Gary Carroll got the five-year-old to the front with around a furlong to run and Bucky Larson (6/1) finished with half a length to spare over Harriet’s Force on his final start of the year.

Owner\trainer James McAuley sent out his second winner of the season when Kuwait Direction, who was picked up for 8,000gns at the Tattersalls July Sale, got off the mark in the five-furlong maiden.

This Kodiac three-year-old was good enough to be beaten just four lengths when finishing in midfield in last season’s Coventry Stakes and he showed that he still retains plenty of ability with this success.

Joey Sheridan’s mount broke alertly to show in front from the outset and he held off Ola Bonita’s late charge by a short head.

Apprentice Michael Beresford picked up a five-day ban here after he stopped riding and lost third position in the last stride.

Ross Coakley successfully teamed up with his longtime supporters John Larkin and owner Breen White as Emphatic sprang a 20/1 surprise in the second division of the 45-65 rated seven furlongs handicap.

A 24-race maiden coming into this race, the always prominent Emphatic produced a game effort to carry the day by half a length.