THE featured Grade B Co-Op Superstores Handicap Chase was won by the Willie Mullins-trained, Simon Munir and Isaac Souede-owned top-weight Fan De Blues (11/10 favourite), who overcame some slow jumps at halfway before eventually scoring readily from Turbo.

Trainer Mullins said afterwards: “I was very disappointed with his jumping and at halfway I thought he was gone but when Danny (Mullins, jockey) grabbed a hold of him and gave him a squeeze, giving him a lot of assistance, he was way better.

“At the moment I’ll keep him going and will keep him to that trip, which seems to suit him better. I’ll keep him to small runner races as I’m not sure he likes big fields.”

Useful effort

The Noel Meade-trained, Gigginstown House Stud-owned Idas Boy (10/11 favourite) put in a useful first effort over fences, comfortably winning the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Beginners Chase, under jockey Bryan Cooper.

Cooper later said: “It was a nice starting point, he schooled very well at home and was very good the other morning so we were confident. We always knew when he gets a fence he would be much better and can go up in trip as well.

“There are plenty options, he is going the right direction and I’d say he’ll be higher rated over fences than hurdles - whatever route that takes him. He doesn’t want it too testing.”

Donoghue delivers on the double

GAVIN Cromwell complete an across-the-card treble last Sunday, with two of the Champion Hurdle-winning trainer’s winners coming at Cork, under jockey Keith Donoghue.

The pair began by winning the opening Red Mills Irish EBF Auction Maiden Hurdle with Derrylinda (4/1, for the Dunphy family) who won by three and a half lengths, and with plenty in hand, over Ocean Of Mercy.

Cromwell was at Naas where his Earls later completed his treble, and jockey Donoghue reported: “She was a weak mare last year, was very green and we have been teaching her to settle at home. Gavin obviously thought she was a decent enough mare to run her in a Grade 1 race last April but she wasn’t fully filled into herself and has strengthened up since.”

Cromwell and Donoghue doubled their score in the Follow Us On Social Rated Novice Chase with the CMD Syndicate’s Final Orders (100/30), who put in some bold jumps, including at the final fence, to beat Golden Sandbanks by nine lengths.

Donoghue reported: “I wanted to make use of him as he stays three miles well. I left him bowl away, used his jumping and he jumped well apart from a few little mistakes. He has loads of scope.”

He added: “My weight is brilliant, I am getting on well with Gavin and plenty other people are very good to me - that’s 23 winners this season and hopefully I will beat my best, 36.”

Soir toughs it out for Torrens

TRAINER John McConnell’s good run continued with the success of his Derek Kierans-owned Grand Soir, who landed the I.N.H. Stallion Owners EBF Novice Hurdle under jockey Simon Torrens.

Following the race Torrens said: “He is a staying horse and won well the last day. I was concerned about the ground but he seemed to handle it. I was behind the bridle most of the way and it is tough enough work out there.

“He is a bit lazy and behind the bridle but battled away. He keeps finding. He’ll be a better chaser as he is a fine big horse and jumps extremely well.”

Biggest priced winner of the day was Champagne Auction at 40/1, in the Fermoy Handicap Hurdle (Div II), scoring on his first start for trainer Sean Aherne.

Ridden by Sean O’Keeffe, the seven-year-old raced prominently throughout and eventually scored by a length and three-parts from Light Parade.

Aherne reported: “I got him at the end of May, he was doing all the right things at home but it was hard to fancy him on his form.

“I was hopeful of a good run and he’ll go for something similar now.

“The owner, Joe Taylor, is a friend of Eoin Barry, who I have horses for, and both are in construction in Boston.

“Joe has a few horses with me now and I’m delighted for him.”

Favourite

The earlier division of the Fermoy Handicap Hurdle was won by the Harvey family’s 4/1 favourite L’Or Des Roses.

Trainer by grandfather David Harvey and ridden by his grandson Ben Harvey, the grey five-year-old carries the colours of the jockey’s father William Harvey, who led up the winner.

Ben Harvey later quipped: “That’ll keep connections happy for another while! He is a really straightforward horse in every way, is easy to train and jumps and travels. He is a pleasure to deal with.

“The ground at Downpatrick the last day found him out, all his four runs had been at Downpatrick so a more conventional galloping track may have brought about the improvement.

“I wouldn’t say he would go on winter ground as he is only handy and got away with it today.”

Bumper for O’Sullivans

THE concluding Paschal Brennan (Pro-Am) Bumper was won by local horse Corbetts Cross (5/1), for owner/trainer Eugene O’Sullivan and his daughter jockey Maxine O’Sullivan.

Joint-favourites Space Tourist and My Gaffer faded early in the home straight and while Corbetts Cross was strongly pressed by Getaway Charlie, found plenty in the final furlong to score by a length and three-parts.

O’Sullivan senior was understandably impressed and said: “He is a big, proper horse and has matured over the summer.

“We didn’t get enough for him at the sales (in March) as people mightn’t have liked the sire (Gamut) but I’m delighted I didn’t sell him now. He is a good horse, wasn’t fully ready today and that’s why I wasn’t more cocky with him.

“The ground came in our favour and she gave him a lovely ride. He will be a chaser and where he’ll go between now and then I don’t know. He goes on any ground.”