IT was a frustrating evening for jockey Declan McDonogh who was unable to take up a strong book of rides due to illness and wouldn’t have felt any better after seeing three of them hit the target.

Chris Hayes took over on 4/1 favourite Blackcastle Storm who took the McNally’s Pharmacy 365 Handicap for Matthew Smith and the Up The Bog Road Syndicate.

The Showcasing gelding led early in the straight but was headed by last year’s winner Imposing Supreme over a furlong out before rallying to score by half a length.

Hayes said: “I rode him in Leopardstown and recommended a little bit more cushion underfoot and a step up in trip. Then he ran a stormer with Declan at the Curragh.

“I was hoping to get back on him at some stage – not nice to get it this way, but he’ll be there for Declan when he is back.”

Double up

Hayes again deputised for McDonogh and completed a double for Smith when Eruption (10/3) landed the Western Motors Cupra Handicap.

The race boiled down to a match between the winner and market rival Comein Comein and Michael Ellis’ five -year-old found just that bit more to prevail by half a length

Hayes remarked: “She was carrying a lot of weight and I had to get the lend of a National Hunt saddle to do the weight! Matthew was fairly sweet on her chances, so hopefully she can follow up again.

It’s 20 years to the day since I rode my first winner here on Anonymity for the late Gerry Lynch.”

THE Irish EBF Median Sires Series (C & G) Maiden went to Joseph O’Brien’s The Road Is Long (evens favourite).

Mikey Sheehy stepped in for McDonogh on Kevin Blake’s son of Coulsty who made all and showed a good attitude under pressure to fend off Heishybrid by a neck.

Stable representative Sean Corby commented: “He was a bit unlucky the first day at Fairyhouse and I think the step up to a mile suited. Mikey said he jumped very smartly from the gates and was going, so he was happy to make the running. He looked to be doing plenty in front and I was a little worried but he stuck at it well.”

Brother’s victories

Mikey’s brother Danny was also amongst the winners as he brought Michael Grassick’s Amanirenas (7/1) from off the pace to take the Meath Farm Machinery Claiming Race. 

The daughter of War Command carries the black and white colours of the Newbridge College Past Pupils Syndicate and wore down Chestnutter in the final furlong for a half-length victory.

Danny said: “I thought the mile wasn’t really much of a worry. She just has her certain way of running, she likes to be dropped out. There was plenty of pace on today, so it suited.”

Keane dominates

Yefimenko wasn’t troubled in justifying 1/5 favouritism in the Landy, Muldoon & Co Maiden for in-form Ger Lyons and Colin Keane.

Keane soon had her at the head of affairs and asserted over a furlong out to win easily by three and three-quarter lengths from Emerald Harmony. 

The daughter of Invincible Army is owned by Sean Jones, David Spratt and Lynne Lyons. Assistant trainer Shane Lyons said: “She was entitled to do that after her run at the Curragh and we picked this race out straight away because she’s so quick out of the stalls. 

“You’d have to look at bigger targets with her, good sprints. That will be her game and we’ll be working our way up.”

THERE was an upset in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden as the Shane Foley-ridden Comic Book (15/2) got the better of short-priced favourite Andromeda.

Unplaced in two previous outings, the daughter of Frankel set out to make all but was narrowly headed by the market leader over a furlong out before knuckling down well to score by half a length.

Owned by Zhang Yuesheng, the winner is trained by Jessica Harrington whose daughter Kate said: “The step up in trip suited and she really showed guts and determination towards the end.

“We put her in a stakes race in France during the week and she could take her chance in that. She is a gorgeous filly and has a beautiful pedigree.”

Justified favouritism

Turned over at odds-on when third at the track the previous evening, Macinamillion (1/1) rewarded favourite backers who kept the faith when landing the first division of the Dore & Co. Solicitors Handicap.

Wayne Hassett’s mount made the running until headed briefly by No Trouble over a furlong out but dug in to beat that rival by two and three-quarter lengths.

Owned by Oak Lodge Farm Ltd. the four-year-old is trained by Gavin Cromwell who observed: “I suppose it helps that we are only down the road from here.

“He was out in the paddock all day and looked a picture. He’ll mix and match and please God there are still hurdles races with him. He’s physically a much stronger horse than he was last year.”

Building glory

Five times a winner over hurdles, Building Bridges recorded a second win on the flat in the second division of that mile and four-furlong handicap.

Coming back from a five-month absence and a big drifter before the off, the 11/1 chance led from halfway to beat Enquire Within by two and a quarter lengths.

Trained by Gary McGill for the Taphouse Syndicate, the New Approach gelding was partnered by Killian Leonard who said: “He’s a very clear-winded horse and, in fairness, the lads said they had him spot on and he was in good form at home. He’s just wants a trip and a staying track would suit him all the better.”