PAUL Gilligan is working back from Cheltenham with Buddy One after his stable star made a winning debut over fences at Galway on Tuesday.

The Sans Frontieres gelding, runner-up in Grade 1 company at Aintree last season, went to post a 2/7 shot in a three-runner field for the Guinness Chase.

Jack Gilligan tracked Flanking Maneuver early in the two-mile, six-furlong contest, when going on before the fourth fence. He was headed by that rival over the second last, but soon asserted to record a comprehensive seven-length success.

“He jumped great, he was clever and shortened when he had to,” said Gilligan senior, who trains the seven-year-old for Eddie Lynch, Tom Quinn and John Joe McGrath.

“I’d say he gave a heave going to the second last, but then class just pulled him through. I think he’s only about 70 or 75 percent fit, so he’s going to come on a lot from that.

“We won’t over-race him, but we’ll get some good races into him. He’ll get another before he goes back to Cheltenham in November.”

Another winning start

In the following beginners chase, The Other Mozzie also made a winning start over fences for Gavin Cromwell and Keith Donoghue.

The Vadamos gelding went to post an 11/1 shot, but came with a well-timed surge to get up close home and beat Anyway by half a length in the two-mile, two-furlong contest.

“He’s done it well. He improved for a fence, he jumps a fence a lot better than he jumps a hurdle,” said Donoghue, who was carrying the colours of the Pique Syndicate.

“He turned out a little bit disappointing last year, but he’s after strengthening up well and he had the ability to do that and hopefully he can keep building on it.”

TRAINER Ger O’Leary is enjoying a career best season on the flat and carried that form over to the jumps game with a double on the card.

Jabbar downed 1/9 hotpot The Enabler in the opening Tote Maiden Hurdle, when coming with a well-timed run up the inner going to the final flight.

Michael O’Sullivan produced the 4/1 shot to challenge the front-running favourite there and he quickened up on the run-in to prevail by two lengths.

“Credit to Ger, Dean (Curran), Marto (Davidson) and all his team, the horses are in great old form and he’s fit as a flea,” said O’Sullivan afterwards.

“Jack (Kennedy’s) lad probably wasn’t helping him out in front and I didn’t want to help him either.

“The only hurdle I missed was the second last and I was probably being a little bit ambitious, trying to get up the inside. He quickened away nicely to the line and he wasn’t stopping.”

Jack’s compensation

Wee Charlie went to post 8/11 favourite in the Ryans Cleaning Handicap Hurdle, after his cosy success at the track last month.

Jack Kennedy got some compensation for his defeat by O’Leary’s horse in the opener, when partnering the Court Cave gelding to an easy win.

He led over the last and soon drew clear for a comprehensive seven-length success.

Assistant Dean Curran said: “That was very good, Ger had him in top form coming here. It’s a great result.

“The horses are flying, they are all in good form. Credit goes to Ger, he’s kept them rock solid all year, and the lads in the yard. It’s a great place to be.”

THE complexion of the concluding bumper changed early, with Rural Link veering through the rail after a couple of furlongs and bringing down fellow 2/1 joint-favourite Ifallgoeswell.

Live Aid then proceeded to run out, when leading, with over six furlongs to run. Reiki Revolution inherited the lead and David Doyle was cool on the ‘Shark’ Hanlon-trained gelding.

He was headed before the straight but let his mount pick up Time In A Bottle again entering the straight before asking the Wings Of Eagles gelding to stretch clear late on for an eight-length win.

The winning rider said: “When the de Bromhead horse came up beside me going down the hill, I was happy enough to leave him to roll along and he got a grand breather.

“He was a bit keen early on, so I said I’d give him a chance. I’m delighted, that’s my first ride for Shark.”

Game on

Hazelhatch Lady produced a game front-running performance to open her account over fences in the Mongey Communications Handicap Chase.

Kevin Sexton’s mount looked set for a cosy success, when kicking a few lengths clear turning for home in the two-mile, two-furlong contest, but was all out late on to hold Likable Chancer by a head.

Trainer James Fahey said of the 8/1 winner, who is owned by Frank Reynolds: “I’m delighted she’s won. I was praying for the line to come.

“On her day, she’s actually a good mare, but she has her problems. Top-weight today was a little bit of a worry, but on her home-work she’s always been good. “She’s after winning a bumper, two hurdles and a chase, so we’ll see what she does after today. She’s much better in a smaller field.”

Late surge

The Gerry Keane-trained Ragmans Corner also prevailed by the same margin earlier on the card, when taking the handicap hurdle over two miles.

Jack Kearney produced the 11/4 favourite to challenge on the run-in and he edged out Bowgate Street late on for a head success.

“He was a bit unlucky in Ballinrobe and Jack felt he didn’t handle the track in Downpatrick,” said Keane.

“This race looked winnable on his two runs before that. He was fourth in a maiden here on the flat, and that was a very good run.

“He’s a grand little horse, he was weak and took time, but he’s improving all the time. Jack said there are a couple more days in him.”

The five-year-old Ragmans Corner is owned by the Wet Room Syndicate and runs again at Fairyhouse today.