LUKE Dempsey and Gavin Cromwell bookended this seven-race card when teaming up for a double as Minella Youngy and Arverne both scored in decisive fashion on a beautiful evening at the midlands venue.

Minella Youngy, runner-up on his previous two starts, gained a deserved win when landing the odds in the opening two-mile-three-furlong Join Racing TV Now Maiden Hurdle. The 8/13 favourite asserted approaching the final flight and kept on well to beat the always prominent Jumping Susie by 10 lengths.

“The step up in trip obviously was a big help,” said Cromwell. “He’s been knocking on the door and was entitled to win. He’s still unfurnished and hopefully there is some more improvement in time. He’ll tip away for the summer. The (Youngy) syndicate are all lads involved in greyhound racing and that includes Paul Young who is a trainer in the UK.”

Made all

Arverne made virtually all under Dempsey to complete the brace in the concluding two-mile–three-furlong Follow Kilbeggan On Instagram Handicap Chase.

The J.P. McManus-owned gelding had gained his only previous win over nearly three miles and two furlongs on testing ground at Punchestown but had dropped right down the ratings.

The 9/1 chance enjoyed life out in front and took control from before the last before staying on strongly to beat Swiss Brid by five and a half lengths. “He’s a frustrating horse. I thought a couple of years ago he was going to be a really good horse and here we are back into a 0-95,” said the Danestown trainer.

“I’m delighted to see him get his head in front. He’s a bit of a character and everyone loves him at home. I’ve always thought he was a bit slow and lacking a gear but he enjoys dictating it in front. He jumped well and got into a rhythm.”

Stable staff cause racing delay

MARK McDonagh, sidelined after a fall at Downpatrick two days earlier, unfortunately missed out on two winners as both Swelltime and Lily Light Foot scored under replacement riders.

The Every Race Live On Racing TV Handicap Hurdle started 22 minutes late following a protest by stablestaff into the lack of free water on track. The stableyard at the Co Westmeath track is about half a mile from the parade ring and an arduous walk for staff in the prevailing hot conditions.

Paddy O’Hanlon took full advantage of McDonagh’s absence on Swelltime (100/30), trained in Ballingarry by William O’Doherty for the Swelltime Patrnership, producing the son of Born To Sea to head Scalor off the home bend and keep on strongly to beat that rival by eight lengths.

Irish Grand National-winning rider O’Hanlon said: “He was very good in fairness and ran all the way to the line. He jumps and travels away and we said we would make plenty of use of him.”

Kieren Buckley, who rode 31 winners in the UK before joining Gavin Cromwell this year, was another to avail of McDonagh’s misfortune when he partnered his first winner in Ireland aboard Lily Light Foot in the Hurley Family Handicap Hurdle.

Trained by Eddie and Patrick Harty for owner/breeder Bobby Guiry, the 6/1 chance was never far from the pace and got well on top in the closing stages to beat Killinure Lass by six and a half lengths.

“She was second in this race last year and was a long time running well without getting her head in front. I’m delighted for Bobby who is not in the best of health and that will cheer him up. He bred some great horses like Fifty Dollars More,” said Eddie Harty.

Coyle’s Girl gets the verdict

THE last fence was omitted from the Follow Kilbeggan On Facebook Handicap Chase due to the low-lying sun and this greatly contributed to some tight riding between five rivals as the quintet veered around the fence on the inner.

The Great White had a head to spare over Krujers Girl at the line with Duchess Ravenwaves just half-length further behind but the places of the first two were reversed following a stewards enquiry after interference inside the final furlong.

The Conor Orr-ridden Krujers Girl, easy-to-back at 22/1, won twice in England for Johnny Farrelly but was having her first start here for Thomas Coyle who trains in Batterstown in Co Meath.

The Mullingar Handicap Hurdle proved a great triumph for the Griffin family as Mr MacPhisto opened his account in the hands of Ricky Doyle. The six-year-old gelding, well-supported during the day from as big as 40/1 and sent off at just 7/1, led approaching the final flight and held off Cracklinrose by three-quarters of a length.

“It’s my son Eanna’s first winner in his colours and bred by my dad Sean so it’s great,” said winning trainer Eoin Griffin. “He can get a bit on his toes. We put a hood on him before and he went to sleep too much but he was very good today. We were confident enough coming here as he was working well and he got a nice confident ride.”

Itwasfate, trained by Henry de Bromhead for Roger Kissane, was one of just two winning favourites on the evening when always prominent under Conor Brassil to beat the staying on Shona Mea by a length and a quarter.

“He’s been unlucky in a few runs recently but experience is a good help around here and he jumped great the whole way. He kept at it well,” said Brassil of the 6/5 shot.