THE Belvedere House & Gardens Opportunity Beginners Chase was a cracking contest for a Monday night in June and there was no hanging about up front which suited smart staying hurdler Ashdale Bob (9/2), who came from off the pace to lead at the last.

The Jessica Harrington-trained dual Grade 2 winner, running over fences for the first time since 2021, stayed on well to beat Thecompanysergeant by three and a quarter lengths.

Jockey Conor Smithers said of Diarmuid Horgan’s nine-year-old: “The last two or three years he’s been running great races but just hitting the crossbar and it’s great that he’s won again.

“He was a bit brave over the first few and came out of my hands but got into a rhythm after a while.

“He had a pop this morning. He’s one of the best jumpers that I’ve sat on, he’s brilliant.

“Early on I was pretty much flat to the boards, and it was just his class that kept him going. I think a step up in distance will suit him.”

All the running

Smithers’ brother Peter had won the preceding Paul & Carmel Fay Memorial Handicap Hurdle on Happy Jacky (14/1) who made all the running and just lasted home on his second start for Mark Fahey.

A four-time winner for Ray Hackett, Paddy Ryan’s homebred shrugged off the challenge of Henning on the run to the last but was all out to hold on by a nose as Donacheady Gale ate up the ground on the run-in.

Fahey said: “He ran a belter in Galway before, so that is something that we could think about and there is a nice conditions race in Cork.

“The horse is not getting any younger and we’ll enjoy today anyway. It’s great to get a win like that.”

OPTIONAL Mix (11/2) and The Dasher Conway were prominent throughout and had the Galway Races Galway Plate Trial Handicap Chase to themselves on the long run to the last, where the first-named began to gain the upper hand under Shane O’Callaghan.

The eight-year-old stayed on well to win by two and three-quarter lengths.

Trainer Eoin Doyle commented: “She was unlucky the last day to run into Mousey Brown who was well in.

“The plan was she had a light weight and to make use of it. When she gets to the front and gets into a rhythm like that, she’s hard to peg back.

“We’ll probably have a crack at Galway now, maybe the Galway Blazers. She enjoys it in a bigger race with a lighter weight as she’s not that big.

“Her owners Gerry and Chrissy Hughes are in Spain at the moment. They’ll be watching in and will be happy tonight.”

Off with a winner

Gavin Cromwell headed to Royal Ascot on the back of a winner after Tonaghneave Well (10/3) took the Kilbeggan (Pro/Am) Flat Race under Declan Lavery.

The son of Berkshire was never far from the pace and led two furlongs out to beat easy-to-back favourite Eoin’s Charm by nine lengths.

Cromwell said of Paul Kelly’s four-year-old: “Deckie gave him a lovely ride. They didn’t go too quick and he was in a lovely position all the way. He had a bit of experience and loves that nice summer ground.”

The first division of the Belvedere House & Gardens Opportunity Handicap Hurdle went to Safran Et Bleu (13/2) under Charlie O’Dwyer.

Trained by Pat Doyle for the Notions Thirteen Syndicate, the Youmzain gelding led after the last and held Moyvilla Lass by half a length.

Jack Doyle, son and assistant trainer, said: “A bit of nice ground and three miles is what he wants.

“I’m delighted for the boys that he’s won as it’s their first horse. They are four young lads from Clare.”

Cave rout rivals

The second divide of that 80-95 three-miler saw 9/2 favourite Desert Cave rout his rivals under John Shinnick.

Harry Gettings’ six-year-old led after three out and went right away on the approach to the last to slam Cloughroe by a whopping 26 lengths.

Declan Queally, assistant trainer to his father and namesake, said: “He’s a horse that won a four-year-old point-to-point and had a couple of niggly problems so Harry threw him out into a field for a year.

“He’s relished a step up in trip and better ground. I suppose he’ll get a good hike in the handicap for that, but it was a very weak race.”

THE Gordon Elliott-trained Instant Tendance readily added to a Navan maiden hurdle win when justifying odds of 8/13 in the Follow Kilbeggan On Instagram Mares Hurdle.

Mrs Caren Walsh’s daughter of Joshua Tree was sent to the front approaching the straight and Kevin Sexton could sit motionless as his mount stretched clear on the run-in for a facile 17 lengths verdict over Cappacurry Ealu

In-form Sexton, riding his fifth winner in the space of a week, said: “It looked straightforward on paper and I think the only one that could have got her beat was me! She travelled lovely, jumped brilliant and was very professional.”

Dairy Force (4/1) made the best possible start to his jumping career when taking the kilbegganraces.com (Q.R.) Maiden Hurdle.

Confidently ridden by Finny Maguire, the Workforce gelding quickened up nicely to lead on the run-in and beat Irina’s Path by two and a quarter lengths.

Liam O’Brien trains the winner for the WSQ Syndicate and said, “I’m delighted with him. He ran here three weeks ago in a bumper and Finny got on with him so we put him up again today and he was absolutely brilliant on him.”

“It’s great to get a winner and it gives the whole thing a lift.”