THE beautifully-bred Wingspan bagged a valuable listed success when claiming the Darley Irish EBF Hurry Harriet Stakes at Gowran Park on Wednesday.

Eight lined up in the nine-furlong contest with the daughter of Dubawi and dual Group 1 winner Hydrangea, going to post a well supported 4/1 shot on her third career outing.

Wayne Lordan drove his mount into the lead over a furlong from home and she was always doing enough to hold the fast finishing One Look by three-quarters of a length.

Aidan O’Brien’s charge had won a maiden back in April on her debut before finishing sixth in the Salsabil Stakes a few weeks later.

Smooth scare

Stable representative Chris Armstrong said afterwards: “She impressed at Leopardstown but things just didn’t happen for her at Navan, it came three weeks after and maybe was a bit too quick.

“Aidan backed off her, gave her a break and brought her back gradually. She was just ready to start so she’s going to come on an awful lot fitness wise.

“She has strengthened up a lot physically. You can see that in her there today.

“She’ll probably go for the Blandford Stakes on Champions Weekend. She has a massive pedigree and it’s nice to get that with her.”

There was a slight scare late on for Smooth Tom before he secured victory in the McEnery Cup Handicap.

Andy Slatttery’s charge led early in the straight in the mile-and-a-half contest and the trainer’s son, and namesake, eased down in the closing stages before having to ask him for an effort late on again to hold the rallying Highland Bling by a neck.

The 6/1 winner also had to survive a stewards’ inquiry having come across his rival slightly passing the furlong pole.

Slattery, who trains the winner for Margaret O’Rourke, said afterwards: “He’s not fully fit and he said he blew up a furlong down. It’s his first run back, he’s been away on a break since Punchestown. He should improve a good bit.

“That could leave him right for the Petingo Handicap on Champions Weekend hopefully. I also had in the back of my mind the English Cambridgeshire, he’s better on a straight track so a straight mile on soft ground there could suit.”

McGuinness takes away two winners

ADO McGuinness bagged a double on the card courtesy of Cordouan and Exquisite Acclaim.

In the opening claimer Cordouan, owned by Dooley Thoroughbreds, bounced back to form in first time headgear, leading over a furlong from home under Cian MacRedmond to record a convincing two and a quarter-length win.

McGuinness said of the 4/1 winner: “He was a classy enough horse but he’s had plenty of problems and that’s why he’s in this grade.

“He’s just a fun horse now. He ran some good races for us last year and it’s great for the boys, and great for Cian to get a winner on him.”

The winner was subsequently claimed by Dick Donohoe for €5,000.

A couple of races later Exquisite Acclaim also struck for the Lusk handler in the Curragh To Curragh Charity Cycle Handicap.

Big day for Casey

It was a game performance from the 11/1 shot who made the running and rallied after being headed a couple of furlongs from home.

I Am Superman came to lead early in the straight and then Bellaphina stuck her head in front briefly in the last 50 yards before Exquisite Acclaim trumped the pair close home to score by a short-head from the former.

“He battled well, I think the horse on the inside helped him along and he’s a tough ole soul,” said McGuinness.

“Adam (Caffrey) knows him well. We were going to go to Leopardstown but I thought this track, a front-runner’s track, would suit him well and the horse needs fast ground.

“The boys have good fun with him and fair play to Tom O’Connor, he has horses with Henry (de Bromhead) as well and it’s great to get a winner for them. I think his mother isn’t well so that will be a bit of a tonic for him and I wish her well.”

The concluding Boylesports Supporting Irish Racing Handicap produced another tight finish with Polemon just gaining the verdict, to give young Alan Casey his first winner on just his second ride.

Denis Hogan’s charge came with a strong surge to lead inside the final furlong and the 12/1 shot just held the rallying Jarvis Brook at the line to secure a short-head success under the 10lb claimer.

Casey, who was carrying the colours of the Premier Racing Club, said afterwards:-

“I’m delighted with him, it was a great run from him. I’m delighted to get one so early.

“I’m 17 and from Poulmucka near Cahir. I went to RACE.

“I have to thank Denis for giving me the ride and giving me the opportunities to get started.”

THERE was late support for the Jessica Harrington-trained Nancy J on her debut in the Irish EBF Median Sire Series Maiden and she got the better of Dignam to make a winning racecourse bow.

Shane Foley produced the 13/2 shot to lead over two furlongs from home in the seven-furlong contest and she had a protracted battle with the 9/4 favourite before emerging a neck victor.

“She’s a nice filly and she’s always showed us plenty,” said Foley, who was wearing the colours of Imad Alsagar.

“She had a nice draw and she had the run of the race. She was quite green when she hit the front but she won well. It was like a piece of work. She’s alright and she’ll improve plenty from that too.”

In the nine-furlong median auction maiden later on the card Cancelled made a deserved breakthrough for Willie McCreery.

The 11/4 shot led early in the straight, under Nathan Crosse, and kept on well in the closing stages to hold Valinor by half a length.

“She deserved it, it was about time. She loved that quicker ground,” said McCreery, who trains the winner for Sabah Alsabah.

“We went into blacktype the last day and if anything, I don’t think she got home over the mile and a half so we’ll stick to a mile and two.

“She’s a good honest filly. She’s rated 83 and she’d hardly move much off that.”