FIRST reserve Wouldn’t You Agree made the most of his opportunity to land the featured €45,000 Bar One Racing ‘Bellewstown’ Handicap Hurdle last Saturday.

The 20/1 shot disputed two out with Set Point and led on the inner before the last. Mark McDonagh then drove him home by three-quarters of a length from that persistent challenger.

Trainer Eoin Griffin said: “We put the blinkers on him and applied more positive tactics, and Mark gave him a lovely ride there. He got a nice run up the inner and it was probably the winning of the race.

The jockey was handed a four-day suspension by the stewards who deemed he had ridden carelessly in relation to an interference incident before two out.

Simple

Encanto Bruno (1/2 favourite) made his eagerly-awaited debut over jumps in the Bar One Racing Price Boosts All Channels Maiden Hurdle and Ben Harvey kept it simple aboard him over this extended two miles.

The pair made all and forged clear after the penultimate flight to come home by an easy 13 lengths.

Trainer John McConnell said: “He is good. He is running at the wrong trip there, but Derek (Kierans, owner) is back from America for a couple of weeks and this is his local.

“It was the target for a long time and we thought his class would get him through even though he is going to be a two and a half to three-mile horse.

“He’d be similar to my other ones, he’ll probably have another couple of runs before November. He’ll have a little break and hopefully come back for the festivals if he is good enough.”

INTENSE Approach went off the 1/4 favourite in the Bar One Racing INH Flat Race after the withdrawal of main market rival Ivana and wasn’t extended in winning by 14 lengths for owner Ms Caroline Ahearn.

Once Alex Harvey sent him on racing to the final four furlongs, the contest was over. The son of Jack Hobbs moved clear a quarter of a mile out and cruised home to bring up a double for John McConnell.

“He’s a good horse, he did (come with a good price tag) and was very highly recommended by Warren Ewing,” said the trainer.

“Anything he is doing now is only a bonus - when he matures and goes jumping, he should be another nice one.”

Hat-trick

Charlie Luciano completed his hat-trick over flights with a game display in the Bar One Racing Quick Deposit & Withdraw Novice Hurdle for owner Franny Carragher.

Noel Meade’s charge was always to the fore and, although pressed by Calico from three out, led narrowly before the last and toughed it out by half a length at 5/2.

Jockey Liam McKenna said: “He got challenged going to the last and he really had to dig deep, and he did. He’s as genuine as they come and, when you do ask him, he will come.”

Miss Fourie took full advantage of all the withdrawals from the Bar One Racing Guaranteed Multiples All Shops Mares Maiden Hurdle due to a going change to good, good to firm in places.

The 6/5 favourite led after the first flight under Sean Flanagan and was a length and three-quarters too good for Jumping Susie at the end of two miles and four furlongs.

“It is great she got that out of the way and more than likely she will head on to Galway now for something.

“She loves the quick ground and, in fairness, it was probably a help that Willie’s (Mullins, Tina Meehan) came out of it. I was smiling then!

“It is great to get a winner for the owner (Ms Aisling Molloy) coming into the yard.”

HENRY de Bromhead’s Hand Over Fist showed battling qualities to take the first divide of the Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Hurdle by half a length.

The 5/2 chance looked in trouble after two out, but rallied and stayed on for Mike O’Connor to lead close home for owner Denis F Howard.

Stable representative Robbie Power said: “Mikey gave him a great ride and, to be fair to the horse, he was tough and battled all the way.

“He looked beaten between the last two, but one thing he has is stamina and probably stamina kicked into play when he met the rising ground.”

Our Bobby was nicely backed in the second division of the Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Hurdle and prevailed under Eoin Walsh for owner Ms Elaine Burke.

John Burke’s six-year-old gelding was always holding Hidalgo Des Mottes who looked threatening between the third last and penultimate flights. He took the honours by three-quarters of a length at 13/2 from the 11/2 runner-up.

Walsh said: “I got away in a nice position, travelled strongly and jumped super. Travelled into it well and got there a little bit soon, winged the last couple and toughed it out actually - a good performance.”

Kicking on

James Smith dictated a steady pace on Dartan in the Bar One Racing Bet €10 Get €50 Sign Up Offer Handicap Hurdle over three miles before kicking on before the last.

Dartan came home by a comfortable three and a half lengths at 4/1 for owner Killian McDonnell.

Trainer Matthew Smith said: “He had his homework done there and he knew what he was going to do. He sent him on and he went on for him.

“Obviously, he is back on track with his last two runs. I think he is a decent horse. He’s a very laid-back horse even at home and it is hard to get a good read on him.”