SANSRISK booked her ticket for the Grade 3 Feathard Lady Mares Novice Hurdle at Down Royal early next month, after readily landing the odds in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Maiden Hurdle.

The 2/5 favourite made all under Keith Donoghue and was just pushed out on the run-in to beat Meet My Loreley by a comfortable four and a quarter lengths.

“She was the form horse and we were hoping she would do that. It was probably a weak enough race, but it was great to get it,” said Philip Dempsey, who trains the winner for David L’Estrange. “She is a light sort of filly, who wants that good ground and won’t be one for the winter. She’ll probably go to Down Royal now for the Mares Novice Hurdle.”

Favourite backers also struck in the following Buy Your Early Bird Winter Festival Tickets Now (C&G) Maiden Hurdle, where Minella Sixo made a convincing debut under rules for Jack Kennedy and Gordon Elliott.

A Loughrea point-to-point winner in the spring for John Nallen, the 11/10 shot took command from before the last to beat Banana Three by eight lengths and Elliott commented: “He’s a nice horse and Jack said there is plenty of improvement in him.

“That ground is as quick as he wanted. He might not be a horse for the depths of winter, but he’s one that we’ll have a bit of fun with. Sierra Pacific are owners from America and Pioneer are also involved.”

Big Chou (13/2-4/1) overcame a 10-month spell on the sidelines in the other maiden hurdle on the card, the Buy Now And Save With The Winter Festival Real Deal Bundle Maiden Hurdle. Liam Queally’s home-bred son of Youmzain led two out and asserted on the run-in under Sam Ewing to beat Charlie’s Dilemma by three and a half lengths.

“He had a cracked pelvis and that’s what kept him out,” said trainer Noel Meade. “He’s probably more of a chaser than a hurdler, so we might not delay over hurdles with him. He does like good ground.”

THE father and son team of Adrian and Harry Sexton were on the mark with Katherine, who followed up a win at Kilbeggan last month by taking the Sign Up And Save With Fairyhouse.ie Mares Handicap Hurdle at odds of 13/2.

The daughter of Shirocco - owned by the Jackman, Byrne, Lomax Partnership - again benefitted from patient tactics, landing in front at the penultimate flight before going on to beat Sayitfirst by two and a quarter lengths.

“She’s an unbelievable jumper and that’s a massive help to her,” said rider Harry Sexton, who punched the air in triumph at the line.

Tricky one

“She’s been tricky to train and there have been little things that we’ve started to figure out with her. The way we are riding her is playing a massive part and she loves passing horses.”

The drying ground caused many withdrawals during the afternoon (27 non-runners in total on the card) and the depleted Winter Festival Hospitality On Sale Now Handicap Hurdle went to the well-backed 6/4 favourite Outside The Door, who made most and took control after two out under Peter Smithers to beat Milanaway by four lengths.

“He loves that ground, he jumps and he gallops. He’s a grand horse to have. If the ground stays alright, he might have a go at the Cork National. He has a great attitude and has won six for us now,” said Padraig Roche, who trains the eight-year-old for the Hold Firm Syndicate.

FRONT-running tactics proved just the treat for Belle Le Grand (5/2) in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Auction Flat Race, making all under John Gleeson, who was gaining his 50th career winner. The pair went clear from two furlongs out to beat the staying on Karate Kid by six and a half lengths.

“There was no pace today, so we let her roll away in front and we thought the ground would suit her,” said trainer Yvonne Latta’s son Andrew. “She probably wasn’t the cleverest of buys of mine to go point-to-pointing.

“She’s a fine, big, good-looking mare, but with her pedigree she didn’t get three miles. She’s a two-miler and we’ll have a bit of fun with her next year, if she’s not sold. I own her along with Barry O’Neill’s wife Bridget.”

Dramatic

The House Restaurant Open For All Handicap Hurdle was also over three miles and there was plenty of drama, as 5/2 favourite Royal Cave was about two lengths ahead when falling at the last.

Ranger Billy (7/2), trained by Eoin Doyle for Gerry and Christina Hughes, was the chief beneficiary, getting the better of Derby De Thaix in the closing stages to score by a length and a half.

Rider Donagh Meyler said: “It’s nice to get his head in front and hopefully that cheers up Eoin as his club, Mooncoin, got beat in the championship at the weekend!”