JOSEPH O’Brien sent out a first and last race double for owner J.P. McManus at Punchestown on Monday.

Cook Islands initiated the brace in the opening maiden hurdle when justifying 5/2 favourtism under Mark Walsh. The Fastnet Rock gelding wasn’t helped by a faller at the fifth flight but worked his way in contention before the last and stayed on best on the run-in to beat stablemate Monarch by two and a half lengths.

“Mark said he warmed up to it well after getting messed around by the faller left him a bit out of it,” said racing manager Frank Berry. “You’d have to be pleased with him. He probably wouldn’t want the ground any faster than tonight.

“We’ll tip away with him during the summer and see where we end up.

“The second horse arrived there going well. They should both learn a bit from the experience. We’ll have a bit of fun with them during the summer.”

The green and gold hoops were also carried to success by Patrick Mullins in the concluding bumper as Los Alamos produced a fine front-running performance.

The 15/8 favourite has his rivals on the stretch turning for home and kept on strongly for an 11-length success over Vocarium.

“When I rode him in the north I thought he’s a Galileo and he’ll be quick but what he actually has is a very high cruising speed,” said Mullins afterwards.

“I think he wants that good ground and I think he’ll win a winners’ bumper. He wants a strong gallop on good ground.”

SMART SORT

Jessica Harrington looks to have another smart sort on her hands after Lesley Dawn made a winning start over jumps in the mares’ maiden hurdle.

Ruby Walsh got the leg up on the 7/2 shot and was soon in front. The Ann & Alan Potts-owned mare powered clear before the straight for a comprehensive 16-length win over Dawn In The Park.

“That was what she was meant to do in the sales bumper but it didn’t happen that day!” said Harrington. “She was lovely there today. She jumped great, she settled in front and jumped from hurdle to hurdle.

“She’ll be off out for the summer and will come back for the listed hurdle at Gowran at the end of September. She loves jumping, she’s done nothing but jump all winter.”

Clara Sorrento is set to keep going during the summer after his success in the La Touche Restuarant Novice Hurdle. Noel Meade’s charge made all under Bryan Cooper in the two and a half-mile contest for a four and a quarter-length success at odds of 5/2.

Meade said of the Gigginstown gelding: “He said he loved the ground and even found it a little bit slow for him. He said he’d like it even quicker.

“He seems to have gotten over the hanging that he did that day in Fairyhouse, whatever was wrong with him.

“When you win a maiden hurdle it’s hard to win the next one.

“I’d say the way he ran here at the festival there is a handicap in him. It was just too short for him and he didn’t get into it. He came home like a lion. Summer ground is the key to him.”

FOLEY SUCCESS

There was a family success in the Panoramic Restaurant Handicap Hurdle with Talsara striking for the Foleys.

Pat Foley did the steering on the mare, owned by his sister Adrienne and trained by their father Tom. The 14/1 shot came from the rear to lead approaching the last and record a two and three-quarter-length success.

Foley commented: “We thought she’d win a flat race before she’s win a hurdle but we’re quite happy to get there as it’s getting harder now. There is probably a flat race in her.

“The biggest problem is there’s not a big selection of them there. Two miles two is a bit short as she wants two and a half.

“She’s a fierce relaxed filly early in play, I’d pass her myself the way she goes on early. She’s one that you don’t want there for too long.”

Ben Brody looks another set to step up in trip after his success in the Adare Manor Opportunity Maiden Hurdle.

He took full advantage after even-money shot Sharps Choice parted company with Niall Kelly at the last.

The Sean Byrne-trained gelding went on to record a three and a half-length success under Paddy Kennedy at odds of 10/1 for Brenda Byrne.

“We had no plans with him and were just seeing if he’d like this ground really,” said Byrne. “Paddy said when he pulled him out a bit on to the better ground he took off.

“He’ll stay and he’ll go three miles I’d say. We’ll keep him going during the summer.”

Liam Cusack also sees a bright future for Snugsborough Hall after his success in the two and a half-mile handicap hurdle.

David Mullins’ mount travelled strongly to lead going to the last and the 6/1 shot held on by half a length after being eased up going to the line.

“He’s a brother of Snugsborough Benny who won in Tipperary,” said Cusack. “Ray Loughnane bred the two of them and we had to find an owner for one of them as he’s a farrier and has two horses in training.

“I mentioned it to the boys (Rising Sun Partnership) that he was showing me a bit early on and in fairness they bought him and have been patient.

“He was a bit immature after running in point-to-points and was a bit wild in himself. He needed a bit of match practice more than anything and that was why the hood was on.

“He’s a nice horse and really chasing is his game.

“It’s great for the lads, it’s their first winner with me so I’m delighted. They have a few with me and are good owners.

“There are two lads from the north, Ivor McGrath and Sean Lavery, and Cathal Brophy lives near me at home and helps me in the yard, while Michael Heary has been with me for years.”

Acting Stewards

P. Caffrey, Justice T. Hunt, Mrs T.K. Cooper, R. Hall, L.Walsh.

HORSE TO FOLLOW

MONARCH (J.P. O’Brien): He travelled very strongly going to the last in the opening maiden hurdle and but for an untidy leap there might have given his stablemate a lot to think about.