LOCAL trainer Claire O’Connell enjoyed success with Born Bright in the opening Adare Manor Opportunity Mares Maiden Hurdle at Fairyhouse on Saturday.

Sent off 16/1 under Patrick O’Brien, the mare who was also owned and bred by O’Connell, stayed on strongly to beat Lady Nightingale by three and a half lengths.

O’Connell said: “I’m just so appreciative for these types of races for small trainers. I knew there was a bit of negative press about them, but for the likes of me, it really gives us a chance not to be competing with the Man Utds and Man Citys of this world when it comes to racing.

“She won a point-to-point and my son got to ride her in a few bumpers, but she wants good ground and it went soft in Sligo and Listowel. This was a race that really suited and it was local.

“She’ll run away over hurdles now. She’s home-bred, her sister Born Famous won six in Scotland and got blacktype and Born Braver won two for Gavin Cromwell. She’s the third one and we’ve a few more fillies at home, so we’re delighted.”

Vassy victory

Gordon Elliott and Jack Kennedy won the following O’Neills.com Maiden Hurdle with 6/4 favourite Bleu De Vassy.

Owned by Gigginstown House Stud, the five-year-old, who was in front at the time, was left clear after two out. He went on to win easily by 25 lengths from John The Spark.

Gordon Elliott said: “He’s a nice horse and I’m delighted with him. He’ll get further and he jumped great. I know he’s run on heavy ground, but for a big horse he probably appreciates it when it’s not really soft.

“Jack said that ground is beautiful, it’s riding well, and he was very happy with him. He’ll step up to graded company now.”

Jack Kennedy added: “It was a lovely way to start, he jumped great. He’ll come on plenty from it and he’s a nice horse.”

Goodie comes clear to bring up O’Brien double

JOCKEY Patrick O’Brien completed a double aboard Goodie Girl in the Protection & Prosperity Financial Services Supporting Louth GAA Handicap Hurdle.

Carrying the colours of the Tarahill Partnership, the 10/1 chance led at the last, going clear on the run-in to win by five lengths.

Successful trainer Dermot McLoughlin reported: “It was straightforward. I brought her here on Monday, but brought her home, as I thought the ground was a bit too quick for her. I walked the track the morning and I was happy with it. He said that she travelled well, jumped well.

“She was a nice mare last year and hopefully she’ll come on from the run. We’ll see what the handicapper does and look for something similar.

“She cracked a little joint in her fetlock joint last year, but seems to be none-the-worse for it.”

King in command

Dame Rapide stayed on well under Daniel King to win the Powerscreen New England Supporting Louth GAA Handicap Hurdle for James Barrett.

Sent off 13/2, the former 97-rated flat horse led entering the straight before going on to score by a length and a half.

Barrett said: “The ground was key to her today. She’s been running well all year and she deserved that. She’s a lovely honest mare and I think she’s improving as she’s getting older.

“Hopefully, there is more to come from her and she’ll jump a fence too in time. I might even look to England with her next, it depends on the ground here. Yielding ground is probably as slow as she’d want it. She did that well and hopefully the handicapper won’t be too hard on me.”

Harry’s Needle picks her spot

HARRY Rogers sent out Cleopatra’s Needle to win the Frank Lynch & Co Chartered Certified Accountants Supporting Louth GAA Handicap Hurdle under Sean Flanagan.

The Nap Racing Syndicate-owned 16/1 chance led at the last before going on to win by two and three-quarter lengths.

“It was her first run in a handicap and Sean was very good on her. He put her to sleep and was the last one to get into it,” said Rogers. “She’s not a bad filly and she likes jumping.

“She showed a bit early on, on the flat, and she was unlucky not to win three in a row. Then things just went wrong with her, she’s a hard mare to keep right.

“She’s one for good ground on the better tracks in those sort of races, she might get another one. Hopefully there should be more improvement in her.”

Arctic Craft (20/1-6/1) was a well-backed winner of the concluding Morgan Fuels Supporting Louth GAA (Ladies Pro/Am) INH Flat Race.

Ridden by Aileen O’Sullivan, the Neil Gault-owned gelding made most for a comfortable five and a half-length victory.

Trainer Michael Millar said: “We were unlucky the last day and were quietly confident that he would run a nice race on that ground. You don’t know until you try.

“We’ll see what he’s like after today and take it from there. I’d expect he’ll go jumping hurdles.”