THE likeable Convergence got his season off to an excellent start as he turned over War Envoy with a very willing display in the Listed Patton Stakes to serve notice that he could have an industrious campaign at stakes level.
The Ger Lyons-trained son of Cape Cross was the only previous listed winner in the line-up while he boasted a compelling piece of form in his maiden defeat of the subsequent Group 1 victor Vert De Grece.
Even so he was still allowed to go off at 8/1 for this seven-furlong contest which was being run at Dundalk for the third time.
Colin Keane bided his time on the Vincent Gaul-owned runner before producing him to tackle Wychwood Warrior with around two furlongs to run.
It wasn’t long before Convergence got to the front but he was tracked all the time by Ryan Moore and War Envoy who launched a menacing challenge early in the last furlong.
The leader refused to yield though and pulled out plenty to prevail by a length with Wychwood Warrior a further three quarters of a length back.
“He’s a good, honest horse with a big heart. He did well for us last year and I’m glad we held on to him over the winter. He was only the horse I had ready that fitted this race and I’m delighted to win it as it’s a good prize and we were second in it last year,” said Lyons.
“He’s a horse with lots of options, there are races like the Ballycorus and the Jersey Stakes, and he is still in the Irish 2000 Guineas although that’s a big jump from here.”
On Location took an unorthodox route to the older horses maiden over a mile but it proved a worthwhile one for Jim Ryan’s charge.
The four-year-old daughter of Street Cry and the top class American runner, Film Maker, was unplaced on her only run in Canada last year before being picked up for $85,000 at Keeneland in November and her Irish debut provided her with a precious winning bracket.
Even though she was reported to be showing signs of coming into season before the race, the Fran Berry-ridden filly eased ahead of the odds-on Torpedo Alley well over a furlong from home to prevail by four and a half lengths.
“I had to tell the stewards (about coming into season) as she could have come here and run last. She’s a lovely, honest filly and I think that got her through,” commented Ryan.
“She’s ready to be covered in a couple of days by Dawn Approach, we had a small window of opportunity to come here.”
For the second year in succession the mile and a half handicap went to Tommy Stack’s Tooreen Legend who maintained his trainer’s bright start to the season. Throughout the race Sparanai dictated the pace from the well-backed Tooreen Legend (2/1) and this pair had the race to themselves when picking up the pace off the final bend.
From over a furlong out Lee’s mount looked as he might be doing just enough to prevail and the James and Breda O’Brien-owned five-year-old accounted for his game rival by a neck.
The reliable Chiclet, who got off the mark on her final start last season, began the new campaign with a stylish triumph in the five-furlong apprentice handicap.
As she continued a sequence that has seen her finish outside the first four only once in her last 10 starts, the Fran Donnelly-owned Chiclet (9/2) cruised into a share of the lead two furlongs from home. She had still to come off the bridle when moving into a clear lead for Gary Halpin and Oor Jock by two lengths.
“I thought fitness wise she might be a bit short but she loves fast ground and this surface suits her well,” remarked Tracey Collins.
Bomber Jackson’s bright start to the year continued under Ronan Whelan in the 47-70 rated handicap over an extended 10 furlongs where the five-year-old was making it two wins and three placings from his five starts in 2015.
Trained by Jane Foley for her husband, Joe, the 13/2 chance launched a steady challenge over the last furlong and a half and he overhauled the front running House Limit to score by half a length. The well backed favourite Zarliman finished fifth.
“He’s tough and consistent and Ronan knows him well. He’s a lovely, big horse and he will probably go hurdling in the new season,” reported the owner.
A switch to six furlongs in the 40-70 rated handicap enabled Seamus Fahey’s Cappadocia to reverse form with Shabra Emperor who had beaten him by two lengths over a slightly longer trip last Friday.
The Kirsty Hickey-owned five-year-old, whose last win came in October 2012, was produced by Wayne Lordan to lead early in the last furlong. The 9/2 chance then clung on gamely to defeat Shinyhappyjohn by a neck with the strong finishing Shabra Emperor a further head back.
“He deserved it after his last run. He’s got plenty of boot so we might stick to this trip or even five furlongs,” stated Fahey.
Apprentice Daniel Redmond (19) maintained his striking run of form on Lee Smyth’s Cheers Buddy who gave the rider his third winners from his last six rides in the 47-65 rated handicap over a mile.
The seven-year-old, who had dropped 13lb in the weights since scoring under Redmond last April, saw off the front running Basilica over the last furlong, succeeding by three-quarters of a length.
There was a 30 cent Rule 4 deduction here as the favourite Chatterton had to be withdrawn when breaking through the front of the stalls.
“That’s his fourth win for me but he just hadn’t fired so far this year. Daniel knows him well and gave him a great ride and he’s had a great start to the year,” declared Smyth. He’s changed hands since he last won for us so that’s his first win for Miss (Yvonne) Lowe.”
Scoped badly
Rapid Applause, who started second favourite for the Patton Stakes, was reported to have scoped badly following his fifth place finish.
One-day ban
Christina Simpson picked up a one day whip ban after partnering Have A Great day into fourth in the handicap won by Chiclet.
ACTING STEWARDS
P.N. Reynolds, T. Hunt, J.M. McGrath, J. Murphy, S. Quinn
HORSE TO FOLLOW
OSTATNIA (W. McCreey): This thee-year-old didn’t run at all badly against her elders when finishing third in the apprentice handicap over five furlongs and this seasonal reappearance would indicate that her turn may not be long in coming.