AN eventful www.tramoreraces.ie Maiden Hurdle kicked off the second student race day of the year at the seaside venue, with The Blaggard (7/2 favourite) pulling off an unlikely success.

Trained by Eoin McCarthy, the Califet bay was poised to challenge before two out, but soon began to edge left under Gary Noonan.

Continuing his wayward tendencies on the run-in, the market leader lunged late to head Mount Mandela, who also edged slightly left, with half a length between them at the line.

Still in a share of the lead at the time, Polly Poppins crashed out at the penultimate obstacle and brought down the out of contention Shantou Princess.

McCarthy, who trains the four-year-old for his wife Saorcha Fitzgerald, was on lead-up duties and said: “He got his name because he is a little bit quirky and he still has a lot to learn.

“He was only €2,000 as a store and is a nice horse going forward.”

Fierce

McCarthy’s She’s On Line filled the runner-up spot in the Ardmore Handicap Hurdle, with Be Fierce (4/1 from 13/2) coming out on top under Shane O’Callaghan.

Tracking the leaders in the colours of Michael and Anne Moran, the bay victor travelled best and got a nice run through on the inner to lead before two out.

Soon sent a few lengths clear, the seven-year-old needed to be kept up to his work on the run-in, coming home a length and a half to the good.

“He had his chance today in against a bunch rated between 0 to 95,” winning trainer Ted Walsh remarked.

“He is owned by very good friends of mine, the son and daughter in-law of Betty Moran, who owned Papillon.”

Fighting it out

Walsh saddled 5/2 favourite Ta Na La in the Tramore Racecourse On Instagram Handicap Hurdle, with this one ultimately finishing fourth to Mark Fahey’s Rampere West (4/1).

Two four-year-olds fought out the finish to this two-and-a-half-mile contest, with the Ricky Doyle-ridden victor getting up in the closing stages to deny the front-running Serienmond by three-quarters of a length.

“We were surprised he won the last day, as he is only a four-year-old and was in against older horses, but he is obviously progressing,” Fahey reflected.

“The horses are going well and a great bunch of lads (Pegasus Racing Ltd) own this fella.”

SAVANTE is set for a step up in class, after her smooth six-and-a-half-length success in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Maiden Hurdle.

Starting off over flights in this two-and-a-half-mile affair and returned the 8/11 favourite, the Paul McKeon-owned five-year-old was never far from the pace under Conor Stone-Walsh.

Travelling best and improving into a share of the lead on the approach to two out, she soon took over from the front-running Cool Park and stretched clear on the run-in.

“The Grade 3 race in the north (the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Feathard Lady Mares Novice Hurdle) is probably the plan for her now. We will see how she is after this,” trainer Colm Murphy disclosed.

“If she hadn’t come here, I would have worked her tomorrow, but I wanted to see her do that today, that’s what we hoped she would do.”

Favourite

Trained by John Kiely and his nephew Tom, Amboyna also justified favouritism in the concluding Copper Coast (Ladies Pro/Am) INH Flat Race. Placed three times from four starts, the Diana Vasicek home-bred led early on under Maxine O’Sullivan, but was headed approaching halfway.

The 6/5 chance regained the lead with quarter of a mile to race and readily increased her advantage inside the final furlong, easing to an eight-and-a-half-length success.

“She finally got her turn,” John Kiely commented. “She has been running well, but just coming up against a few too good. She is a big four-year-old and is a bit fresh and frisky. She might go for a mares’ winners’ bumper now at Limerick in a few weeks’ time.”

REGISTERING his third course win, Philip Fenton’s Lake Chad claimed the eight-runner Pickardstown Handicap Chase.

Successful on his most recent visit to the venue in August, the Eileen Moore-owned grey finished a solid fourth when last seen at Galway.

Sent off a 4/1 chance, the 105-rated nine-year-old was prominent early on under Niall Moore.

Well behind the front pair in third from halfway, he closed on the leaders approaching the penultimate obstacle and soon led, keeping on well from there to score by two and three-quarters of a length.

Also bidding for his third track success, Prince Of Air (7/2 favourite) was short of room jumping the first and unseated Conor Owens.

“The favourite went out early and he likes Tramore, it’s his third win here. He is a sharp little fella,” Fenton divulged.

Better next time

“There is a race at Clonmel for him in two weeks’ time. It’s over two and a half and I think he will be better over that trip.”

There was better fortune for favourite backers in the Waterford Greenway Beginners Chase, with Ballybrack Wood making the breakthrough in this 10-runner heat.

Ultimately disappointing over flights since finishing second on his sole point-to-point start when in the care of Pat Crowley, the six-year-old was returned at 3/1.

Always towards the head of affairs under Darragh O’Keeffe, the Henry de Bromhead-trained market leader had a good tussle with Jouster from two out, getting the better of that rival in the closing stages to prevail by a length and a quarter.

“The syndicate (Tash Four Arc Racing Syndicate) is in memory of the late Tash Mulligan and they are all friends and family of Tash.” de Bromhead explained.

“It’s taken us a while to win with him, but we’ve got there now. We started at a low level and obviously he has enjoyed fences. Hopefully he can keep progressing.”