MOST valuable race was the €18,500 Irish Stallion Farms EBF (Mares) Hurdle which saw Redwood Queen (5/6 favourite) capitalise on favourable race conditions, scoring for trainer Charles Byrnes and his sons, owner Cathal and jockey Philip.

Horses which had previously won handicaps avoided penalties in the four-runner race and thus four-time handicap winner and 129-rated Redwood Queen was able to make most of the running when easily beating 120-rated Instant Tendance - which conceded 11lb to the winner.

Byrnes senior stated: “It looked a great opportunity as she wasn’t penalised for any of her previous wins but the handicapper can’t do a whole lot more to us. We would have put her over fences only she is so small but we might try her on the flat, if we can get a stalls cert as she is a small bit flighty.”

Celebrations

Eoin McCarthy enjoyed another winner at Killarney on Thursday with his Moyvilla Lass in the Kerry Drain Services Handicap Hurdle, as the trainer’s celebrations continued following the recent birth of his daughter.

The Athea, Co Limerick-based trainer had a Downpatrick winner on Monday and following the birth of his third daughter on Wednesday, added to those successes as Moyvilla Lass shed her maiden tag.

Ridden by Gary Noonan, the six-year-old raced mid-field, led before the final flight and readily defeated Craic Eile.

A delighted McCarthy reported: “She was knocking on the door and was a shade unlucky in Kilbeggan so this is lovely for the owner Martin Coyne from Galway. She loves that good ground so we’ll keep her rocking along.

“She was entitled to win her race and Gary gave her a lovely ride.”

Ridden by John Shinnick, Kells Priory was held up in rear, gradually improved through the race to lead on the run-in, beating Bella Bliss by a half-length.

Teehan commented: “Getting horses back from long layoffs might be over-rated nowadays with the way gallops are, and I think it is more of an achievement to win first-time out. He knows how to race so it was just trusting his fitness.”

He added: “He is two years off after getting a ‘leg’; we tried bringing him back last summer but before we got him cantering, we got him checked again by Jack McCarthy in Fethard and were advised to wait.

“I told a few friends that if he was fit, he’d be 7/1 so told them to have a few quid on but I didn’t unfortunately.”

Improved

Racing began with the Killarney Plaza Hotel & Spa Maiden Hurdle as Miners Bridge (8/1) improved on a recent disappointing effort to score for jockey Philip Enright, trainer Sam Curling and the CKC Syndicate, which includes jockey valets Michael and Liam Cleary and and Corkman Ross Keohane.

The Mahler gelding won comfortably, and afterwards Enright said: “The three miles at Cork the last day might have stretched him a bit so we were hoping that he would run well again today as he was dropping back in trip. He jumped great and loved the good ground.

“The way he jumps I’d say he will be a nice horse over a fence.”

RED Glory was a popular winner for the large holiday crowd of the KPH Construction Handicap Hurdle, as Rachael Blackmore steered the 4/1 joint-favourite to score for her employer Henry de Bromhead.

Carrying the colours of the Garristown Aintree Syndicate, Red Glory raced prominently throughout and battled well to defeat runner-up Chatterbox – which had also finished second at the Kerry venue yesterday, by a half-length.

Blackmore reported: “He’s run well his last two runs without getting his head in front, so it’s great to get him to do that today. His jumping has improved with every run, so that’s becoming a bit of an asset to him now. It’s great to see that, and hopefully he will build on today.

“He wasn’t bred to go jumping but he seems to be taking to it better with every run, so that’s a big plus.”

Useful prospects

Both bumpers were won by two useful prospects, with the Andy Slattery-trained Not Now Darling (5/1) landing the Dr Ivo O’Sullivan Memorial Bumper by six and a half lengths, under Adam Ryan.

Regarding Not Now Darling, trainer Slattery, who later completed a cross-card double with Cloud Seeker at Leopardstown, said “I only have her 12 weeks and knew she was decent although we never got to gallop her on grass. She has a good pedigree and is improving.

“Pat Hurley, the owner, is from near Thurles, is a first cousin of my mother’s and has taken back out his own training licence recently. Pat trained horses for years so she might go to a new trainer now although he might also sell her, so we’ll see.”

The concluding Kate Kearney’s Ladies Bumper was won by The Gray Ghost (4/1), which provided owner Neasa Haverty with her first winner.

Well ridden by Susie Doyle, the Doyen-gelding raced with the leaders, led over a furlong out and finished well to hold Ballysax Hank by a half-length.

Successful trainer Harry Kelly reported: “We thought he’d win the last day but Pa (King, jockey) came in and said he got his tongue over the bit. He is a devil for that so we tied down his tongue today - he has never made a noise but fiddles with it. In fairness to Pa, he gave us invaluable feedback.

“We think he is a fair horse and she gave him a lovely ride. He is owned by my landlords Ray O’Connor and his partner Neasa Haverty, who are friends of mine and I’m delighted for them. It is the second time Neasa’s colours have been worn.”