THE German import Dartan once again served notice that he will be a horse to follow throughout the summer months as he brought up a varied hat-trick in the Supermac’s Maiden Hurdle over just short of two and three quarter miles.

After winning on the polytrack at Dundalk before landing a staying handicap at Navan in late March, this son of Reliable Man was switching back to hurdles for the first time since he contested a maiden at Leopardstown over Christmas.

It was only in the closing stages that the Killian McDonnell-owned gelding got to the front for Ryan Treacy and he only had half a length to spare at the line but the 6/4 favourite was value for more than the winning margin might suggest.

“He’s a laid back horse who stays very well. I think a galloping track might suit him better and three miles should be no problem to him. He could go for a novice hurdle next and we’ll aim him at a decent staying flat handicap as well,” reported Matthew Smith.

The card concluded with a smart effort from the Anthony McCann-trained Land Afar who was a clear cut winner of the Jennings Meats Ladies (Pro/Am) INH Flat Race.

This gelding was third Vanillier in a point-to-point several seasons ago but didn’t run for two years and pulled up on his comeback in January. A fourth to Hartur D’arc at Cork over Easter was encouraging though and he took a further step forward here under Aine O’Connor.

He quickened right away from his rivals approaching the last furlong and hit the line with a resounding seven lengths to spare over the well supported newcomer Can’t Beat History.

The victorious seven-year-old son of Kalanisi shouldn’t have any trouble winning races over hurdles when his attentions turn to that sphere.

L’Impertinent’s tour de force

THE performance of the evening came in the Maol Reidh Hotel Beginners Chase over an extended two miles where L’Impertinent produced a pillar-to-post tour de force as he followed up his maiden hurdle win here last month.

Enda Bolger’s charge went about his task with tremendous zest under Simon Torrens as he set a scorching tempo that took many of his rivals out of their comfort zone. The well-supported 13/2 shot faced up to the last three fences with a much reduced advantage but he stayed going well to defeat the 125-rated Jacksons Gold by a length and three parts and looks a nice prospect for the summer months.

“Jumping is his forte and after the first two fences he had the others under a bit of pressure. He’s not a married man’s ride. He goes as fast as he can and you just have to go with him,” reported the trainer.

“John Shinnick won on him here over hurdles and I had him declared for the ride but he hadn’t had enough rides over fences to be eligible for this race. It was hard luck on John but he got a great ride from Simon.”

Settle for second

Simon Torrens was also on board the favourite for the opener, Spick And Span, but that one had to settle for second behind Tom McGreevy (7/2) in the West Tyre Maiden Hurdle over an extended two miles.

The 102-rated winner, who is owned by the Peaky Blinders Syndicate, made all the running for James O’Sullivan and kept on well from two out to defeat his aforementioned rival by just under five lengths.

“He’s a headstrong horse who needs to be left alone in front and today they let him do his own thing. Being in front around here was worth a few lengths. He could go back into handicaps now,” said Liz Doyle.

Irish Grand National-winning rider Paddy O’Hanlon bagged another success aboard Peter Flood’s Tullypole Annie (15/2) in the Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Hurdle over an extended two miles. Formerly a Curragh nursery winner during her time on the flat, this four-year-old shaped up well on her handicap debut at Naas in late March and confirmed the promise of that effort. She responded well to pressure to take a couple of lengths out of Run Like Fada off the last bend and reached the line two and a quarter lengths ahead of Peace Party.

This was a second win on the track for Flood who trains the winner for the Trim and Summerhill-based Jolly Boys Syndicate. The winner could bid to follow up at Wexford next Saturday.

Defan is turned out fresh and well to score

DUNGARVAN-based Derek McGrath took his fourth success on the track when Defan (7/1) secured the KPMG Handicap Chase over two miles and a furlong.

Henry de Bromhead’s charge turned out fresh and well on his first outing since falling at Leopardstown over Christmas to win nicely.

The Niall O’Leary-owned winner bested the front running Jack Holiday with two to jump and went on to defeat Nelly’s Money by nine lengths. This was Defan’s third win from 10 career starts.

Cork-based trainer David Barry sent out his first winner for several seasons when It’s Time Again picked up the first division of the Burke’s Clonbur Opportunity Handicap Hurdle.

This Barry-owned daughter of Shirocco was returning from a break of several months and made light of her 22/1 starting price although she was supported at bigger prices. Dillon Maxwell sent her to the front at the second last to take a nine-length triumph over Eddies Pride. A quick return to action at Cork on Saturday is an option for the six-year-old who appreciated the switch to better ground.

The other division of that 80-95 rated handicap hurdle went to Shane Crawley and newly crowned champion conditional rider Jack Foley as Huckleberry Rock justified 100/30 favouritism.

The Walter Fox-owned winner battled in really likeable fashion in the straight to hold off Arrycan by half a length. He could now go out on grass while Foley picked up a six-day whip ban for his efforts.