MICHAEL Halford could have a decent type on his hands in Storm Ryker who belied his inexperience and his position as the stable’s apparent second string in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Median Auction Maiden.

Halford supplied the favourite for this mile contest in Roman Wells who set a solid standard having been placed on both his outings but Storm Ryker (10/1-8/1) wasn’t ignored in the betting. Niall McCullagh was on board the son of Proud Citizen and the pair moved into a close fourth with around two furlongs to run.

Storm Ryker looked a little green when he came under strong pressure and, at this stage, victory could have any one of five ways.

To his credit though the winner knuckled down well in the last furlong and finished strongly to nail Indoctrination on the line. A head separated the front pair with Roman Wells just half a length back in third.

“It’s not a surprise as he’s a horse we liked and we knew he liked the surface,” said Halford, whose two runners are owned by Singapore-based Eric Koh.

“He did need the run and took a good heave but when he cleared himself he finished well. He’s a leggy horse and I was keen to start him here as the nice, level track would suit him well. I’d say he’ll come on plenty for this and he’s a horse with plenty of scope.”

After two solid efforts in decent contests the opening weeks of the season, which included a second to Alphabet at Naas, Ma Fee Heela was much the best in the Sean Judge Memorial (C&G) Maiden. A third winner in five days for Michael O’Callaghan, this son of Siyouni was the 4/7 favourite and his supporters never had a moment’s concern.

Shane Kelly’s mount picked off Mirror Man at the furlong pole for a comfortable two and a half-length victory. Ma Fee Heela carries the colours of Sheikh Khalifa Al Maktoum.

“We always thought a lot of him and he just had an issue last year which meant that we had to put him away,” declared the trainer.

“He had his own ideas about things which is why he had two runs in quick succession in the early part of the season to make a man of him. He was more professional tonight. He could go for a conditions race next.”

KELLY DOUBLE

Shane Kelly then made it a double on Lee Smyth’s Duncan Of Scotland in the 45-65 rated sprint handicap. The 4/1 favourite won at Ayr at the start of the week and turned out fresh and well to blaze a trail from the outset. After first shaking off More Kudos, Duncan Of Scotland had plenty left in reserve to contain the effort of Strategic Heights.

“He was a weak three-year-old but we changed a few things around with him and he lives in a custom stable at home now and that seems to have been a big help to him,” declared Smyth. “He’ll probably go back to Ayr next week and I’m thrilled for the Swanson family who own this horse and the three horses they have with me are all winners now.”

Conor O’Dwyer ended a gap of eight years between winners at Dundalk when Jon Ess struck here last Wednesday and he then made it two winners in as many meetings courtesy of Trump Card in the mile and a half 45-65 rated handicap. The well-backed 4/1 chance struck the front for Billy Lee inside the last quarter of a mile and he finished with a length and a half to spare over Manomine.

“He was probably unlucky a couple of times during the winter but everything worked out tonight. He got a great ride from Billy and the small field helped,” declared O’Dwyer who trains the four-year-old for his wife Audrey. “He will probably mix it between the flat and hurdles for the summer.”

Elusive In Paris is on the move once again after Ellmarie Holden snapped him up for €12,000 following his victory in the extended 10-furlong claimer. Just over a year ago, Johnny Feane claimed the eight-year-old who has since notched up four wins.

After a string of placed runs in claimers,the Orlagh Reynolds-owned 5/4 favourite outclassed these rivals. Elusive In Paris strode into a commanding advantage for Gary Halpin with over a furlong to run and he was eased down to defeat Indian Tomahawk by a length.

On his belated racecourse debut, Clinical Approach was able to take advantage of a gilt edged opening in the older horses’ maiden over an extended 10 furlongs.

Jim Bolger’s charge was returned a 2/5 chance and Kevin Manning got him to the front a quarter of a mile from home. Costa kept the market leader up to his work in the closing stages but the Godolphin-owned Clinical Approach maintained a useful advantage to prevail by two and a quarter lengths.

“It was a nice race to start him out in and he handled the surface well. Hopefully we can step up with him now,” reported Ger Flynn. “He’s been backward more than anything else but he did show ability and that’s why he was kept on as a four-year-old.”

O’BRIEN BROTHERS

Joseph and Donnacha O’Brien joined forces to take the 45-65 rated three-year-old mile handicap with the determined top-weight Richard Strauss.

The front-running Border Prince appeared to be holding the field for much of the straight but he couldn’t withstand the sustained effort of Richard Strauss (7/2) who forced his way past. Joseph O’Brien trains the son of Kheleyf for Marita Rogers.

ACTING STEWARD

N.B. Wachman, A. Byrne, P. Law, Mrs T.K. Cooper, H. Hynes

Horse To Follow

INDOCTRINATION (T.F. Shaw): This colt attracted some support before his debut and he posted a decent effort ust a head behind Storm Ryker.

Respiratory problems

SHAWAMI was reported to have made a respiratory noise in running when finishing down the field in the handicap won by Richard Strauss for which she started favourite.