TOM Harney rode his first winner since joining the conditional ranks aboard Applejack Poet in the first division of the John Purfield Memorial Handicap Hurdle. The 9/2 co-favourite faced a stern challenge from another co-favourite, Be My Hero, on the run-in of this extended two-mile-one-furlong contest, but fended him off by a head. Trainer Liz Doyle said: “Sharp track, flat track and good ground today has really helped him because he doesn’t hit the line strongly in any of his races and we just held on today. Nice new syndicate in him (Seven Irish Angels Syndicate) and I’m delighted for them.”

On Harney, she added: “I just gave him a few rides and he has done nothing wrong for me. He tends to stay on them then especially in these low-grade races. He’s a very good rider.”

Diarmuid Moloney picked up a nine-day ban for frequency with the whip on third-placed Sayitfirst.

Flat out

Dartan followed up on a Bellewstown success the previous evening when delivering in the Bective Stud Tea Rooms & Apartments Mullacurry Cup Handicap Hurdle.

He was pushed along to lead before two out by James Smith and asserted approaching the final flight. The 5/1 favourite ran on well to post a six-and-a-half-length victory for owner Killian McDonnell.

Afterwards, trainer Matthew Smith said: “James said it felt like he was flat out most to the way. But he is so laid-back, so it is hard to know if he is flat out or not. We will definitely consider the Petingo and the Irish Cesarewitch that he is entered in. I have to figure all that out with the weights.”

Tommy Sheridan’s Must Meet Cecil (13/2) won a battle with Bal De Rio for the Bright Motor Group Claiming Hurdle. Carl Millar’s mount edged left towards Bal De Rio on the run-in before getting the verdict by a neck. The stewards looked at possible interference and deemed that while it did take place, Must Meet Cecil didn’t improve his position so the result stood.

“That’s his grade and he’s hardy enough. We weren’t sure about the two and a half miles but he stayed it there today. We gave him a bit of a chance early,” trainer Cian Collins said.

Jack Kennedy had Weseekherthere always to the fore in the Connolly’s Red Mills Irish EBF Auction Maiden Hurdle. The 3/1 shot had too much for Aeros Luck on the run-in and came in by close to four lengths for owners Dee L’Estrange and Mrs Caren Walsh. Gordon Elliott said: “The extra trip suited her and Jack said he was going to make plenty of use of her. I thought Jack gave her a great ride, he was exceptional on her. He probably learned about her the last day.”

ANDREW Slattery’s Lady Of The Vale resumed winning ways for owner Billy Neville in the Panda Power Mares Hurdle. The six-year-old mare certainly didn’t go unbacked at 13/2 and stayed on best on the run-in to oblige by a length and three-quarters. She edged left on the run-in, though, which led to a stewards’ inquiry but again the placings remained unaltered. Jockey Cian Quirke said: “She has been running consistently and obviously she had to step up in grade after she won her maiden. She just lost her way a little bit in those good novice races, but we always knew she was well up to doing that.”

Final Orders exploited a hurdle mark 47lb lower than his chase rating with the minimum of fuss in the Reddans Of Bettystown Handicap Hurdle. He won this extended two-and-a-half-mile contest last year and soon led under Keith Donoghue in this year’s renewal. The duo never looked in any danger and glided home by three and a quarter lengths to justify 4/9 favouritism for the C M D Syndicate.

Trainer Gavin Cromwell said: “In the Galway Plate he made a mistake and the false start was the biggest thing for him. He had a lovely position the first time if he had got away. He just didn’t get a nice position and made a bad mistake. Possibly another option for him may be the Paddy Power in Cheltenham in November.”

GWAN Tadhg relished decent ground in the second division of The John Purfield Memorial Handicap Hurdle. The 15/8 favourite led three out and despite being less than fluent at the final two obstacles, he was well in charge in coming home by two and a-half lengths under Mark McDonagh who sported Jonathan O’Grady’s silks. Trainer Edward O’Grady said: “It would appear that way, yes (good ground is key to him). When he ran last Monday in Downpatrick, he’s now out of this grade, he’s out of the 95s so I was lucky to get him in today.”

Gone For Tea’s consistency was rewarded in The J.H. McLoughlin Oil (Ladies Pro/Am) Flat Race.

Aoife Fahey rode her four lengths clear over a furlong from home and the duo stormed home by a comprehensive 14 lengths at 11/2. Trainer Peter Fahey said: “In fairness, Peter (Murphy, owner) gave me the filly and he said he would love to have her to come back to breed out of. I was persevering to try and win a bumper with her.

“I’m delighted that Aoife got to ride her, she’s actually my god-child as well as my niece. It is her second win, she had a win for her Dad a couple of years back. She is a good little rider. She’s not working in horses, but she looked tidy there today.”