TULLYBEG successfully reverted to flights in the Pepsico (Walkers Snacks) Hurdle to seal a Down Royal treble for Gordon Elliott and Jack Kennedy last Friday.

The eight-year-old gelding, owned by Bective Stud, won the Mayo National at Ballinrobe in May before finishing unplaced in the Midlands National at Kilbeggan.

In front after the third last in this three-miler, he stayed on well to see off the challenge of Whiskey Sour by two and a quarter lengths

“He was probably a little bit disappointing in Kilbeggan and I think the ground had maybe gone a bit soft for him that day,” said assistant trainer Lisa O’Neill. “He has been a great servant, I think that is his ninth win altogether.

“He really toughed it out today and jumped really well. It is an option to keep him on this route and it opens plenty of avenues, and Gordon will know what to do best with him now.”

Up in trip

A step up in trip on hurdling debut suited Pinyon Jay (9/4) in the Linden Foods Maiden Hurdle and he was the middle leg of the Elliott/Kennedy treble.

Kennedy sent the French-bred gelding on before two out in this two miles and four furlongs assignment and, despite running around before the last, he stayed on well to draw seven lengths clear of Harley Street.

O’Neill said: “He showed plenty of ability in bumpers, he was just a bit raw and green and I think he showed that again today. He wandered a little bit, but I think Jack really made his mind up for him.

“They are a great bunch of owners (Call It What You Like Syndicate) and I rode winners in those colours years ago.”

Runner-up in a similar contest at Sligo last month, Air Drop (4/1) went one place better in the Hovis (Premier Bakeries) Mares’ Maiden Hurdle over two miles and a furlong to set the ball rolling for Elliott and Kennedy.

Prominent

The daughter of Al Namix, owned by Mr M Fennessy Jnr, was prominent throughout and went on after the third last to account for Dame Rapide by three and a half lengths.

“She gets quite worked up,” said Lisa O’Neill. “She actually wore a hood down to the start today and Jack took her down a little bit earlier.

“She was a muck of sweat leaving, but she was a bit more settled in the race today. Jack was really happy with her and she has jumped well on the whole.”

Annie holds promise for more to come

THE Dale Farm Dromona 3-Y-O Hurdle went to 2/1 second-favourite Annie Agnew under Simon Torrens.

The daughter of Sir Percy, runner-up on her debut at Ballinrobe last month, was always prominent in the two miles and a furlong contest and took over in front at the third last where Spinning Web, disputing at the time, blundered.

The latter came again, though, and was only half a length adrift at the line with Doctor Nightingale, who had a think about running out when improving on the inner two out, just a neck further away in third.

Gerald Quinn, who trains the winner in Dunloy, Co Antrim, for PJ McBurney, said: “I was sort of a bit worried that the ground had gone good to yielding, she would prefer it a bit quicker. She has flat pace in her pedigree. She is exciting and one to look forward to, I’ve never had one like her.”

Northern winner

The 7/2 favourite Court Cave was a second northern-trained winner of the evening as he landed the Kerry Foods Handicap Hurdle.

Having got his head in front for the first time at Perth last month, the six-year-old jumped to the front at the last where long-time leader Clever Currency made a mistake and he was ridden out to beat the latter by two and a quarter lengths.

Noel Kelly, based in Draperstown, Co Derry, trains the winner for the TSM Racing Syndicate and remarked: “He gave us a lot of trouble earlier on in life but he has grown up a wee bit now, he’s a fine type of a horse.

“We might step him up in trip a bit and I’d say he wants a wee bit of cut in the ground.

Street has Spring in his step

THE Pilgrim’s Handicap Hurdle went the way of 20/1 chance Spring Street in the hands of Darragh O’Keeffe.

Second at his local course in Tramore back in April, the Champs Elysees gelding tracked the leaders before taking over in front three out.

He was pursued on the run-in by the favourite Winnie Woodnutt but had enough in reserve to fend off her challenge by three quarters of a length.

Winning trainer John Flavin said: “We thought coming here today that he was in great form and working well.

“He has a sort of a flat pedigree but the way he stayed going there today he hopefully might pick up another one somewhere.

“The Ruby Racing Syndicate are from down the road so it is a nice one for them to get. They are just outside Belfast, so that is why I brought him up here in the first place.”

Second win

The 9/4 favourite Roedora gained her second bumper win when showing good battling qualities in the Tayto Group Ltd (Mares) INH Flat Race.

A debut winner at this venue in June, the half-sister to useful hurdler San Salvador led from early in the straight but looked beaten when headed by Tomavian in the final hundred yards. The Joseph O’Brien-trained winner, owned by his sister Sarah, was not to be denied though and rallied to score by a head.

Winning rider Tom Hamilton said: “I got there a little soon, but to be fair she toughed it out well.

“We tipped along and they were hanging out at the top bend and I took a position, got through when I could rather than getting boxed in. The pedigree shines through and she is tough and hardy.”