RACING began with the Thurles Beginners Chase over three miles and a furlong and Gavin Cromwell’s grey Individualiste (2/1) ran out a comfortable winner in the colours of Owen Daley.

The six-year-old by Cima De Triomphe was in a group of four who had it between them from before two out and jumping to the front at the second last, he was always travelling well into the straight and opened up a five-length lead racing to the last. He maintained it to the line, winning by three and three-quarter lengths from the favourite Crossing The Bar.

Winning rider Keith Donoghue said: “He had a good run the last day and jumped well today. We thought stepping up in trip would suit him and it looked a winnable race. He was a little slow jumping the last but did it well. He seems to have found his form, is in a good frame of mind so hopefully he can progress.”

Take it up

In the Killinan Handicap Chase over an extended two miles and two furlongs, Prince Of Air (9/2) was sent to take it up after two out when the leader Ricky Langford put in a slow jump.

He made the best of his way home as Winding River and Rock On Pedro gave chase up the straight but Alex Harvey’s mount was always in command, the seven-year-old running a three-and-a-quarter-length winner for the Charles Coakley stable.

The trainer said: “It is David’s (O’Sullivan, owner) first winner and he is involved in a 10-member syndicate with this horse but the colours haven’t come back yet, as we bought him only a month ago. The lads are scattered around Killarney and Cork but only three came as we didn’t think he’d kick into this gear - we thought he’d be thereabouts.

“We bought him from Philip Rothwell where he had nice enough form and is one who suits the type of training I do, as we go to the beach a lot. We took a chance by buying him and I’m delighted.”

Best Baby

Dream On Baby (22/1) ridden by Conor Clarke was only fourth into the straight in the ThurlesRaces.ie Maiden Hurdle over two miles, seven furlongs but Emmett Mullins’ Walk In The Park mare was clearly travelling the best.

Conor Clarke was in no hurry to commit her and bided his time to take it up from long-time leader and favourite Magellan Strait before the final flight.

In a first-time tongue tie, this was a big step up on her last bumper outing where she was 12 of 17 at Cork, winning for the Seven Heads Group Syndicate.

The rider said: “Maxine O’Sullivan rides her out at home and was very happy with her work and said she was in great form but she shocked me at the back of the last (hurdle) how well she went away from them.

“That is testing ground out there, it is testing and holding, and she jumped very well. She was a bit keen so I was worried would she finish out but I stalked Danny (Mullins, on Magellan Strait) going down to the last and knew I had a right chance.

“If she learns to settle more, there will be more in the tank and she could now step up to three miles.”

THE www.thurlesraces.ie Maiden Hurdle over two miles ended in a neck and neck battle with Artic Lane (9/4) and Liam McKenna just getting the nod by a nose over Relieved Of Duties (6/5 favourite) and Jack Kennedy.

Declan Queally’s charge disputed the lead with the second two out, but was headed on the run-in, before battling back to get the nod for owner Philip Murphy.

Winning rider Liam McKenna said: “We just couldn’t shake off Jack (Kennedy) up the straight and I wasn’t sure if we had won.

“It was a big help with Willie’s horse (C’est Ta Chance) coming out so we were hopeful as he had a lot of placed form. I knew Jack’s horse would jump out and gallop so Declan (Queally) said to track him and it all panned out well.

“He looks like he will be nicer over further and going handicapping he could pick his races and will hopefully win a couple. Declan has been very, very good to me and we’re going well together.”

Smooth headway

In the Ballagh Mares Handicap Hurdle over two miles, the Denis Leahy-trained Unklipped (13/2) was held up in rear and made smooth headway after three out on the outside, to take it up between the last two. Pushed along briefly, she went clear on run-in for Sean Flanagan, racing to a six-and-a-half-length success.

Denis Leahy said: “She probably isn’t the most straightforward but ran a lovely race 10 days ago and we thought she stepped forward from it.

“Heather (Buckle, owner) rang me the other day and asked would she come over, so I said ‘do’ but it put me under pressure! Heather is from Ipswich, is the owner/breeder and has plenty of the family. She has most of her horses with Neil King in England but boards her mares in Ballincurrig House Stud and we’ve done a lot of breaking for her so get to keep the odd one.

“This mare’s future is over fences and while she had been tricky to get right, the ground suited today. This could be her last run before coming back over fences next summer.”

AD Caelum (15/2) ran out a tidy winner of the Racing Again December 21st Mares Handicap Hurdle over two and a half miles for the John Ryan stable.

Under Sean O’Keeffe, the mare moved up on the final bend, and led going easily two out, before she raced clear approaching the last.

Inchiquin Star chased her all the way to the line without ever looking like getting on terms, the winning distance being three lengths.

Ryan said: “She is a well-bred mare, has a mix of both flat and jumps pedigrees and is from the last crop of Cloudings. She is typical of her sire and is as honest as they come, if the rain didn’t come today she wouldn’t have won as the ground is a lot slower now.

“She is a big strong mare and when she gets soft ground and three miles over fences, will be a good mare. She is an exciting mare and could show up in a rated novice before Christmas.”

Rothwell winner

In the closing Horse & Jockey Handicap Hurdle over two and a half miles, Down Around (7/2) put Philip Rothwell’s name on the scoreboard, Tiernan Power Roche partnering the seven-year-old to victory for the GVD Syndicate and the Doolys. The winner was another to hit the front early in the straight and kept on well over the last to hold off Klassman by two lengths.

Philip Rothwell said: “He has been very disappointing as I brought him to Ludlow on suitable ground to qualify him for the Red Mills Final last year but he ran deplorably. We got a few jobs done on him trying to resurrect his form and Phidelma [Elvin] gave him a good positive ride the last day in Punchestown, and the winner came out and won again.

“The syndicate are a great bunch from Dublin and have Rockbrook with me as well, and Noel Dooly who previously trained Down Around, is also still involved.”

He quipped “I supplied an earlier winner as well, as I told Prince Of Air’s owners to buy him off me a few weeks ago. I told them he’d win a race although thought I had their measure with Ricky Langford, but it wasn’t to be.”