WHILE the quality of racing was far removed from the top-class action of the preceding days, crowds nonetheless flocked to the strand at a sun-kissed Laytown.

Sending two runners across from his West Midlands base in the UK, Ian Williams landed a gamble with first reserve Ivasecret in the Tote.ie Claiming Race.

Sixth of 12 at Bath on Saturday, the 53-rated bay was 11/1 in early shows for this seven-furlong contest, eventually going off the clear favourite at 7/4.

The first part of a double for Seamie Heffernan, the V7 Recruitment Ltd-owned six-year-old raced behind the leaders on the inner.

Taking closer order with over two furlongs to go, he soon improved to lead and quickly increased his advantage, eventually coming home six lengths to the good.

“We came last year, had a look around and liked it. We really enjoyed the experience, so we came back with some runners,” Williams reflected.

“It is unique - it must be for him to win like that, believe you me! He has got bags of ability, but plenty of issues. It is a great place to bring horses if you want to do something a little bit different.”

The winner was later claimed by Tommy Sheridan for €5,000 to be trained by Cian Collins, with the third and eighth, Beauty Bella and Miss Abby Jools, also heading for pastures new.

Heffernan double

While out of luck on Champions Weekend, Heffernan doubled his tally aboard Roman Harry in the Pride Of Place Maiden.

Owned and trained by Claire O’Connell, the 12/1 chance made progress when brought to the outer with over two-furlongs to go.

Soon ridden, the 53-rated four-year-old edged to the front inside the final 200 yards, keeping on well from there on to beat the disappointing 10/11 favourite Jeaniemacaroney by three-quarters of a length.

“We have had him here to the beach a few times,” O’Connell revealed. “He has just been a very unlucky horse, he gets claustrophobic and things didn’t go right for him the last day in Roscommon.

“Seamie has been a great help to me. He’s very good to small trainers like myself, he gives ample advice and he gives you confidence.”

Tough finds it easy for O’Connor

AFTER saddling a winner on both days of Champions Weekend, Ger Lyons was again on target with Tough Talk in the Tote Never Beaten By SP Qualified Riders Race.

Without a win since his debut success back in April of 2022, the Kingman four-year-old emphatically righted that wrong.

Owned and bred by Moyglare Stud Farm and sent off a well-supported 13/8 joint favourite (from 11/4 early) with Quar Shamar, the bay victor got to the front after two furlongs.

With Derek O’Connor aboard, he readily increased his advantage when pushed along over a furlong out, eventually coming home 10 lengths clear of his market rival.

Lit him up

“I think the whole atmosphere, the beach, the surface and the crowd just lit him up. He really enjoyed it,” O’Connor reported.

“Andrew Duff (assistant trainer) told me that he works on the beach to a very high standard.”

Jered Maddox is another who clearly enjoys the sea air, as he made it two from two at the unique Co Meath venue in the opening Download The New Tote App Handicap.

Disappointing since a couple of wins at Dundalk in April, the David Marnane-trained eight-year-old was sent off an 8/1 chance in the colours of City Equine II Syndicate.

Good tussle

In rear early on under Luke McAteer, the now 10-time winner was ridden to challenge on the outer with over a furlong to race and, after a good tussle with Not Forgotten in the closing stages, there was just a short head between them at the line.

“He’s a talented horse on his day. He obviously loves this place - it is a funny track, some horses just come alive here and he does,” Marnane disclosed.

“He won really easily here last year and he was pretty much off the same mark today.

“I might give him a little holiday now and we’ll bring him back for Dundalk in the height of winter.”

Jungle joy for Jody

JUNGLE Cove provided Jody Townend with her first success at the venue, as he defied a significant market drift to claim the ONeills.com Qualified Riders Handicap.

From 7s in early shows, the Mastercraftsman grey eventually went off a 22/1 chance in the colours of owner and trainer Jessica Harrington.

While Harry’s Bar travelled best from the two-furlong pole, the 79-rated victor was soon ridden to challenge and edged to the front inside the final 150 yards, keeping on well from there to score by a length and a half.

“He loved it! Cantering down he had his ears pricked,” Townend enthused. “He has plenty of ability on his day and he’s a bit of a yard favourite. It is hard to ride a winner here and it’s good to get it on the CV.”

Jungle Cove was drawn in six and so too was Cherry Pink, the winner of the Glina’s Cottage Inn Handicap.

Now two from four since joining Adrian McGuinness, the Elzaam four-year-old was sent off a well-supported 11/4 joint-favourite (from 5s early).

On what was her first start for owner Deepak Dhand, the 55-rated bay was settled in rear by Adam Caffrey.

Making good progress on the outer from the two-furlong pole, she swept to the front with 200 yards to race, keeping on well from there to beat Spirit Of Eagles by half a length.

“I thought this would be too quick for her, she is not a sprinter. I just said ‘we are going’ and decided to run her,” McGuinness divulged.

“Adam was very good. He gave her a chance early doors and she did it well.

“She has options in Dundalk on Friday. We’ll see what the handicapper does, as I’d love to go to Listowel with her next week.”