DESPITE this fixture having to be cancelled in March due to a waterlogged track, the racing resumed on a glorious afternoon in Loughrea with an action-packed eight-race card as some exciting prospects came to the fore.

The all-conquering Sean Doyle yard didn’t waste any time getting in on the action as they sent out the debutante Hard Dealt (3/1) to take the opening four-year-old mares’ maiden under Jamie Scallan.

A daughter of Walk In The Park, she had quickened alongside Ballyhiho on the run to the last, but she looked held before that rival blundered her chance away at the last, allowing her to come through and record a two-length victory in the Monbeg Partnership silks.

A €24,000 store purchase, she is related to a family of winners, with her dam a half-sister to the Joseph O’Brien-trained Sempo, who is rated 145 over hurdles and was placed in a Grade 3 novice chase.

The final fence also proved key in deciding the outcome of the opening division of the four-year-old geldings’ maiden.

Johnny Berry’s Kingkong Ciergues (8/1 - 10/1) had his task simplified when the challenging Oh My Johnny, who was upsides the eventual winner jumping the last, fell and handed victory to this son of Robin Du Nord.

Owned by Catherine Mannion, Ross Sugrue’s mount put his previous effort on debut at Ballycrytsal last month firmly behind him.

Joltin over the line

Berry’s Wexford stable secured both divisions of the four-year-old geldings’ maiden as his son Josh guided Joltin N Jiving (6/1 - 8/1) to victory 30 minutes later.

The Court Cave gelding produced a taking turn of foot to go from third to first in a matter of strides, and quickened smartly to the line to run out an impressive five-length winner over North Of Richmond.

Owned by Berry’s wife Shirley, the bay had the misfortune of being carried out by a loose horse on his debut at Castletown-Geoghegan last month, but he gained deserved compensation and it looks like he will return a handsome profit on his €8,000 price tag from last year’s store sales, as he is now set to be offered for sale.

There was further success for Wexford stables when the winners’ of two went the way of the Colin Bowe-trained Divilskin (4/1). Patiently ridden towards the rear for much of the contest, he was delivered into the contest on the run to the last and produced a spring healed leap at the last as he accounted for Our Zebo by five lengths under Barry O’Neill.

Bowe suggested that the Milestone Bloodstock-owned six-year-old could now be aimed at a hunter chase.

HARRY Kelly’s As The Fella Says (5/1 - 6/1) broke his maiden tag at the third time of asking as he claimed the opening division of the five-year-old and upwards geldings’ maiden under a fine Eoin Mahon ride in the Niall Kennelly silks.

The Soldier Of Fortune gelding was always up with the pace and was the only one of his rivals who was able to quicken from the front with many of the early pace setters folding late on, as it was Long Runs The Fox who came through to take second, four lengths adrift of him.

“He’s an unbelievable jumper as he’s still a big baby,” Kelly said. “If he’s not sold he will go for a bumper, but I’m delighted for the owner because he’s a very good supporter of ours.”

The John Nallen yard are currently in the midst of a fine spell and that showed no sign of slowing down when Minella Sixo (2/1 favourite) was delivered with a well-timed challenge under Derek O’Connor to claim the second division of that contest by a neck.

Having been patiently ridden for much of the race he was produced to take a share of the lead three out, and he came out on the right side of a tight finish with an improved Barry Fife.

“He’s a horse with good natural ability,” Corky Carroll said. “We thought he might have been another gallop off being right for today, so I told Derek to nurse away with him and take his time.”

Rose to the top

The five-year-old and upwards mares’ maiden went the way of Regards To Rose (2/1 favourite) to provide Kerry native Ross Sugrue with a double on the card after his earlier success aboard Kingkong Ciergues.

Teaming up this time with Limerick handler Eoin McCarthy, daughter of Fuisse proved to be the class act of the race as she stepped forwards from her third at Ballysteen to leave her rivals toiling approaching the home straight.

Owned and bred by Michael Mortell, she ultimately crossed the line seven lengths clear of Doyen Evening despite being eased down on the run-in.

“She is after improving a pile,” Sugrue said. “I was going very easy the last day, but the track didn’t suit, it was too tight. It worked out well today.

“When I wanted her she was good. Eoin had said she’d win today and he was right.”

THE open lightweight contest saw the Eugene O’Sullivan-owned and trained Earths Furies (3/1) record his first success of the season.

Having run consistently throughout the season, he clearly benefitted from a sounder surface and was produced under a confident ride by the handler’s nephew Alan. In what was a commanding pillar-to-post victory, the eight-year-old was always travelling smoothly at the head of affairs and he was able to open up on the run for the home straight to defeat Down The Highway by eight lengths.

“He gave a good exhibition of jumping,” John Murphy, the stable’s representative, said. “He was there or thereabouts all season, but he came here today and took his chance under a great ride by Alan.”

Horse to Follow:

Oh My Johnny (N. C. Kelly): Owned, bred and trained by Noel Kelly, he produced a smart performance on debut and held every chance at the last when upside the eventual winner only to crash out. He should break his maiden tag next time out.