TOM Harney registered the biggest win of his burgeoning career, when guiding Eagles Reign (6/1) to a Listed success in the feature Liam Healy Memorial Lartigue Hurdle.

Second when 80/1 in the Boodles at Cheltenham in March, the Ross O’Sullivan-trained bay was always prominent in the colours of Tommy Ward.

Improving to the front after three out, he was ridden away from the next and found more when pressed on the run-in, fending off the effort of Gavin Cromwell’s Pinot Gris (9/4 favourite) by three-quarters of a length.

“This race was the plan and we wanted a prep run, so we gave him a run on the flat three weeks ago to open his pipes,” O’Sullivan disclosed.

“When the rain started yesterday, it didn’t stop and, when he gets soft ground over jumps, he is just a different horse.”

Going for Gold

Another Cromwell representative filled the runner-up spot in the Connollys Red Mills EBF Auction Maiden Hurdle, with De Temps En Temps going down by three and three-quarters of a length to A Tipp For Gold.

Trained by Mags Mullins and ridden by her son Danny, the Westerner five-year-old was sent off a well-supported 15/8 favourite (from 5/2).

A €25,000 Goffs Land Rover Sale purchase, he made all and upped the tempo on the approach to two out, keeping on well from there to justify market confidence.

“He had winter form and had a lovely run the last day,” the winning trainer, who co-owns the successful bay with Fergus Healy, remarked.

“He is an improving horse and I think he will come on again.”

Pillar to post

Born In Purple was another to lead from pillar to post, as she made the breakthrough over flights in the Buckley Agri New Holland Irish EBF Mares Maiden Hurdle.

The Willie Mullins-trained, Donald Galt-owned French-bred was returned at the prohibitive odds of 2/5. The Paul Townend-ridden market leader increased her advantage from the second last and eased to a nine-length win.

“She had been bridesmaid a few times, so it was a nice opportunity with the non-runners,” Townend reflected.

“She would prefer going the other way around and was a bit awkward out in front, but deserved her day.”

Kenneally’s prayers are answered

AFTER two medical emergencies involving members of the public, there was a lengthy delay between the fourth and fifth, with the air ambulance required.

Going off just over an hour later than scheduled, Pray Tell ran out a decisive winner of the Behans Horseshoe Bar, Restaurant & Townhouse Handicap Hurdle.

After stylishly opening his account over flights at Kilbeggan earlier in the month, the Ask eight-year-old was sent off a 4/1 chance in the colours of his owner and trainer, Desmond Kenneally.

Settled behind the leaders on the outer, the 116-rated bay eased to the front before two out under conditional James Smith and soon went clear, eventually coming home four and a half lengths to the good.

“He is a good horse and James did exactly as I asked and gave him a brilliant ride,” Kenneally reported.

“He has had a lot of problems down through the years, but we are on top of them now.”

Star performance

Runners for the Thorn Plant Hire Beginners Chase were sent on their way just 20 minutes later, with Yeats Star justifying favouritism in this depleted six-runner contest.

No less than six non-runners changed the complexion of this two-mile, six-furlong heat, with Sam Ewing replacing the injured Jack Kennedy aboard the Gordon Elliott-trained victor.

The 6/5 chance was pushed along on the approach to the penultimate obstacle, with the front-running Sportinthepark still travelling well at the head of affairs.

Owned and bred by Bertie Mannion, the successful five-year-old ultimately found more for pressure and led on the approach to the last, keeping on well from there to beat his aforementioned rival by three and a half lengths.

Like father, like son for Hogan – with first National Hunt victory

ALL of 28 years on from the success of Tidjani in this very contest, Calum Hogan emulated his father Ray by guiding Ifitwasme to victory in the Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Hurdle.

Providing the Rathkeale teenager with his first winner under National Hunt rules, the Eric McNamara-trained four-year-old was returned at 10/1 in the colours of Cian, Damien, Joe and Mike Wilmot. Off an initial mark of 95, the Dragon Pulse bay improved to the front on the approach to the straight and he soon increased his advantage, ultimately easing to a 12-length win.

“We had this race in mind for quite a while,” McNamara, who also saddled the third Say It So (16/5 favourite), commented.

“Calum works with us full-time and, while he is quite inexperienced over jumps, he is a good lad with hopefully a promising career in front of him.”

Ted on top

McNamara was responsible for the second and third, Gaoithe Glory and Torps, in the concluding Kevin McManus Bookmaker INH Flat Race, with Friary Road just coming out on top.

Trained by Ted Walsh and owned and bred by his wife Helen, the Finsceal Fior bay was sent off an 11/1 chance.

Tracking the leaders under Josh Williamson, the well-bred victor came with his challenge between horses with less than two furlongs to go.

Ridden and gaining a narrow lead from the furlong pole, he found plenty for pressure in the closing stages, crossing the line half a length to the good.

In a share of the lead when edging right in the straight, Rural Link (15/8 favourite) eventually ran out and dramatically unseated Patrick Mullins, when colliding with a wing inside the final furlong.

“We were a little concerned about the ground, but as it turned out he handled it well,” Williamson stated. “He kept going well to the line and will be a nice horse for the future.”