REGISTERING his first win in almost four years, Aspire Tower (11/4) bounced back to form when making all under Darragh O’Keeffe in the feature William Hill Committed To Top Prices Hurdle.

After a lengthy absence from April of 2021 to October of last year, the talented Henry de Bromhead-trained eight-year-old was campaigned mostly over fences last season. Back over the smaller obstacles in this four-runner contest, the Robcour-owned dual Grade 2 winner found plenty for pressure when ridden before the last, coming home three and a half lengths clear of Eagle Fang.

Returned the 4/9 favourite, Pied Piper did well to survive a bad mistake at the fourth, eventually crashing out at the last when beaten in third.

“It’s great to get him back as he took a very heavy fall in Leopardstown last season. He was very sore after it,” Robbie Power, representing de Bromhead, revealed. “This looked a nice opportunity and it will do his confidence the world of good.”

Oakley Brown, rider of runner-up Eagle Fang, later picked up a four-day ban for using his whip with excessive frequency.

Plan works out

While out of luck on Pied Piper, Jack Kennedy earlier guided Action Plan to victory in the opening William Hill Proper Betting 3yo Hurdle.

Turned out again quickly after finishing fourth at Cork on Sunday, the Ger O’Leary-trained bay raced mainly in fourth. Taking closer order from three out, the 9/4 chance came with his challenge before the last and soon led, keeping on well in the closing stages to beat the front-running Solar Drive by a length and three-quarters.

“He had an off-day in Cork, where the pace was probably too steady. He was looking around and not as professional as he should have been,” O’Leary said of the Purosangue Racing Syndicate-owned gelding.

“Today dropped in, his ears were pricked, and he was jumping great. He redeemed himself thankfully.”

THE first part of a double for Willie Mullins, Mister Pink made a successful return to action in the William Hill Keep Your Raceday Positive Maiden Hurdle.

Not seen since finishing second in this very contest 12 months previous, the Beech Tree Stud Syndicate-owned six-year-old was sent to post the 8/11 favourite. While market rival Ballysax Hank (11/10) attempted to make all, he was joined by the victorious Jackie Mullins-bred bay early in the straight and, after a protracted tussle, there was a length and a half between them at the line.

“I suppose you would forgive a horse being fresh after that kind of layoff, but for a novice his jumping is very good,” winning rider Danny Mullins explained. “He probably landed me there a bit sooner than I wanted and a good jump at the last put it to bed.”

Mum’s the word in the bumper

A half-sister to dual Grade 1 winner Spillane’s Tower, Mummy Derry completed the brace for Willie Mullins in the concluding Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares INH Flat Race.

Second on debut at Galway and expected to go a place better in this 11-runner affair, the Paul Byrne-owned bay was returned the clear favourite at 1/2. Tracking the leaders under Patrick Mullins, she improved to the front approaching halfway and found plenty for pressure when ridden in the straight, holding off the effort of Lau And Shaz by two lengths.

“I’d say the advantage of a recent run made the difference,” the winning rider reflected.

“We might try and get some blacktype in bumpers this season and maybe go jumping next season.”

WHILE the William Hill Extra Places Daily Handicap Hurdle looked a competitive affair on paper, Pat Foley’s Slieve Carran (12/1 from 20s) ultimately proved far superior to his 15 rivals.

The winner of a point-to-point when in the care of John Staunton, the 105-rated bay tracked the leaders under Simon Torrens, getting to the front after the penultimate obstacle.

Soon increasing his advantage in the colours of Leo McCormack, the five-year-old kept up the gallop on the run-in and was seven and a half lengths clear at the line.

“He was good today and it’s the first day everything has fallen into place for him,” Foley commented.

“His work has always been good, but he struck into himself twice over hurdles and had a fair size cut after pulling up at Ballinrobe the last day. It’s the first time that he’s run like he works.”

Course runs true

Due Course was another successful point-to-point graduate, with the Gavin Cromwell trained six-year-old running out a comfortable winner of the William Hill Check Out Our Top Price Guarantees Handicap Hurdle.

Returned the 7/2 favourite (from 5s early), the Mark Murray and Grant Harrison-owned victor was settled in mid-division by Keith Donoghue, taking closer order from three out. Left third from the next, he swept to the front when ridden before the final flight and could afford to be eased in the closing stages, with a length and a half the winning margin.

“I’d say the ground is very important to him and he probably doesn’t want a stiff track either,” Cromwell divulged. “It’s grand to win with him again and hopefully we’ll look for more of the same, but the ground will probably be gone for him shortly.”

Evergreen hurdler back in front

Owned and bred by Frank McNulty, Jake Peter also appreciated the sound surface, with the 10-year-old showing his rivals a clean pair of heels in the William Hill Proper Pricing Handicap Hurdle.

Registering his first win over flights in almost six years, the 9/1 chance got a dream run through on the inner to lead approaching the last. Increasing his advantage when ridden on the run-in, the Mark Cahill-trained bay came home three and three-quarters of a length to the good.

“I thought he just got a bit bogged down in the ground at Listowel and, when I saw the ground here today, I knew he’d run a big race. He wears his heart on his sleeve,” winning rider Phillip Enright remarked.