JOHN McConnell provided yet further evidence of the wellbeing of his dual-purpose string as he notched up a double which was kicked off by Ottoman Style in the Ukraine Crisis Appeal Maiden Hurdle over just short of two and three-quarter miles.

This well-bred son of Kayf Tara won a Borris House point-to-point back in November 2020 before a brief two-race spell in Britain. A fourth placing for McConnell in a Fairyhouse maiden hurdle just over a month ago boded well and he delivered here under jockey Thomas Reilly.

The 2/1 favourite took charge of this race with two to jump and stuck to his task well to finish just over two lengths ahead of the 118-rated The Flier Begley.

McConnell trains the winner for the Moyo’s Boyos Syndicate and indicated that his charge could journey back across the Irish Sea for a novice hurdle in the coming weeks.

Wild double

The double was completed by the Shane Fitzgerald-ridden Wild Shot in the maiden hurdle over an extended two and a quarter-miles. The Cathal McGuckin-owned eight-year-old had been kept busy at Dundalk through the winter and was returning to hurdles for the first time since finishing fourth to Top Bandit in a Cheltenham maiden hurdle in October that worked out very well.

Wild Shot (11/4) joined one of the market leaders Wee Willie Nail at the last flight and then kept on well to defeat that opponent by two and three-quarter lengths.

A NUMBER of in-form jockeys made their mark at this fixture and one of those was amateur Johnny Barry who combined with Hidden Land in the mares’ handicap hurdle over just short of two and a quarter miles.

The Andrew Kinirons inmate was taking a marked drop in class after contesting a Punchestown listed race won by Party Central and the mares’ novices’ hurdle at Cheltenham where she was beaten less than 20 lengths when finishing in midfield.

This appreciably less demanding level of competition enabled this daughter of Hard Spun to put her best forward as she dished out a 13-length beating to Trevena.

Hidden Land was adding this race to the maiden hurdle success she achieved here last summer and was returned a well-backed 100/30 favourite. The Peter Byrne-owned mare was recording her third victory since being picked up for 2,500gns in December 2020.

McNiff’s support

Philip Enight followed up a double at Tipperary the previous evening by taking the 0-102 rated handicap chase on Mark McNiff’s Nuttorridge (10/1). Also a winner of a handicap hurdle here last summer, the Border Busters-owned seven-year-old was produced from off the pace to take charge of this race after the last fence and he defeated School Lane by three and a half lengths.

“Mark was confident he’d improved for his comeback run here in March. Mark has been a brilliant supporter of mine and he is a very good trainer. For the quality of horses he has, he does unbelievably,” declared the rider. “Hopefully these successes will get him a better quality of horse.”

Golden result

Paddy O’Hanlon was making it three winners in five days when Golden Ferret (9/2) bagged the 0-95 rated Racing TV Handicap Chase over an extended two miles and three furlongs. The John Blake and Colm Kedney-owned six-year-old looked to be in charge of this race from before the second last fence and he was eased down in the closing stages which allowed the staying-on Follow The Crowd to close to within three-quarters of a length.

Paul Stafford’s charge was winning his first race at the 11th attempt.

EUGENE O’Sullivan made the lengthy trek from Cork a worthwhile one as Meetingofthewaters (7/2), under the trainer’s daughter Maxine, landed the Molson Coors INH Flat Race.

This winning pointer showed plenty to finish third in a useful-looking Cork bumper at Easter when those that finished behind included Land Afar who was an impressive winner at Ballinrobe earlier in the week.

The Alurie O’Sullivan-owned Meetingofthwaters began to press the front-running favourite Ellis Boyd Redding inside the final half mile and the last-named gave best over the course of the last furlong to go down by four and three-quarter lengths.

“He had a really nice run last time and finished strongly. We were probably riding him a small bit cagey in Cork to make sure he finished his race and pulling up I was delighted with him,” stated the rider. “I think he will appreciate a bit of nicer ground again.”

Bridges surprises

Earlier Gary McGill and his son Oran sprang a 28/1 surprise with Building Bridges in the 80-102 rated Randox Health Handicap Hurdle. Some two and a half years after his last win, the Taphouse Syndicate-owned six-year-old returned in great shape on his first outing since October as he made most of the running for a five and a half lengths victory over the staying on Lily Light Foot.