THE large numbers in attendance at the Fleadh Cheoil remained in the town centre, as the fourth meeting at Bettyville in little over a fortnight drew a disappointing crowd.

Out of action for just less than three months, Cian Quirke marked his return to the saddle by registering a quickfire brace.

Teaming up with fellow Tipperary native Andy Slattery, Quirke guided Sunchart to victory in the opening Think Print & Design Maiden Hurdle.

A listed winner on the level, the Pat Garvey-owned seven-year-old crept into contention on the final circuit and travelled best to lead entering the straight.

Returned the 11/10 favourite, he needed to be kept up to his work in the closing stages, leading home Moonlight Jazz by a length and three-quarters.

“He is obviously not as good over hurdles. When we started him over hurdles we were thinking bigger than this,” Willie Slattery, brother of the winning trainer, remarked.

“He’ll go back on the level for a race at Naas before the end of the season.”

Quirke doubled his tally aboard the Paul Kiely-trained Inchiquin Star in the Noel O’Connell Memorial Mares Handicap Hurdle.

Recording a second career success, the Sean Harnedy-owned 8/1 chance took over in front before two out and kept on well when ridden away from the last, holding off the effort of Bayou Belle by a length and a half.

“We were hopeful today. She is a grand fun mare for the summer and can mix it between both codes,” Kiely reported.

For his part Quirke added: “I broke my left wrist at Limerick in May and I was only back after breaking my leg three months before that. I also broke my other wrist prior to the leg break, so it’s just been injury after injury.”

The concluding Irish Stallion Farms EBF INH Flat Race was also restricted to mares, with Ma Bess putting her experience to good use in this 13-runner affair.

Already twice-placed at Wexford, the Terence O’Brien-trained 16/5 chance was never far from the pace under Alan O’Sullivan.

Improving to dispute the lead over two furlongs out, the Denis Wilson-owned six-year-old gained a narrow lead early in the straight and extended her advantage close home, seeing off the effort of Meitheal by two and a quarter lengths.

“She deserved it as she had a couple of very good runs. The last day she probably got trapped in behind and we made more use of her today,” O’Brien reflected.

‘Great fun’ on the cards for Tuckmill

THE Peter Fahey-trained Tuckmill claimed the most valuable prize on the programme, the Support The Irish Injured Jockey Fund Handicap Hurdle.

Owned and bred by Tom McParland, the Court Cave gelding was sent off an easy-to-back 8/1 chance (4s early) under Jake Coen.

Coming with his challenge between rivals early in the straight, the 94-rated bay improved into a share of the lead before the final flight.

While not fluent there, he battled gamely when ridden on the run-in, ultimately getting the better of Philip Rothwell’s Baltinglass Hill by half a length. “He has had his issues and suffers a little bit with bleeding,” Fahey revealed.

“If his issues stay away, we will have great fun with him and he is a lovely chaser in the making.”

Comfortable winner

Rothwell later tasted success in the Traynors Of Wexford Handicap Hurdle, with That’s About Right running out a comfortable winner despite a market drift.

Successful at Downpatrick in May, the six-year-old was as short as 9/2 in early shows for this extended two and a half-mile contest, eventually going off at 12/1 in the colours of the Namtab Syndicate.

Given a patient ride by Conor Owens, the son of Califet made progress from five out and travelled strongly in third entering the straight.

Forced a bit wide approaching the second last, the 95-rated victor soon got to the front and stretched clear on the run-in, coming home six and a half-lengths to the good.

“I put a tongue-strap on him before and he resented it, so to try and make him travel with it we put cheekpieces on him today,” Rothwell commented.

“I said to Conor to drop him out and as it turned out they went too quick. It was opportunistic to hold on to him and Conor was very cool. He is riding very well.”

Susan cruises home for a pleasing local success

THE almost inevitable local success came in the second division of the Pat Farrell Memorial Handicap Hurdle, with Cruisin Susan readily accounting for her 13-rivals.

Trained in the nearby village of Blackwater by John Berry and ridden by his son and namesake, the seven-year-old was sent off a 5/1 chance.

Ridden patiently, the Walk In The Park bay was poised to challenge in third from three out and improved to lead before the next.

Asked for more on the approach to the final flight, she kept on well and stretched clear in the closing stages, with Derby De Thaix six and a half lengths adrift in second.

“We were afraid that she mightn’t stay the trip today but the better ground helped her,” Berry senior, who trains the winner for his wife Anna, divulged.

“There is a race over two and a half for her at Tramore and she might go there next.”

Another progeny of Walk In The Park claimed the first division of this three-mile heat, with Walkonthebriteside registering a breakthrough success under Ben Harvey.

A half-brother to multiple Grade 1 winner Champ, the John McConnell-trained six-year-old disappointingly pulled up when last seen at Listowel in June.

Improving into a close third four out, the 15/2 chance travelled best and gained a narrow lead approaching the straight.

Soon pressed by Jimli’s Cave, the Ian Griffiths and Gary Evans-owned victor ultimately kept on best away from the last, prevailing by three-quarters of a length at the line.

“His wind has been an issue for him and it’s always been a little bit tricky. He gets away with it on good ground,” McConnell disclosed.

“He actually has quite a good bit of ability, he jumps very well and this is his trip.”