DUNUM (5/1 favourite) continued his remarkable progression when landing the Rathsallagh House Of The Year Handicap at rain-hit Limerick last weekend for trainer Natalia Lupini and jockey Robbie Colgan.

The Maurice Burns owned-gelding completed a four-timer last term before finishing second at the Curragh on his final outing. Having tracked the leaders, he travelled best from early in the straight before being pushed out to beat Blues Emperor by a comfortable two and three-quarter lengths.

Afterwards Lupini’s partner Craig Bryson said: “He was in great form coming here and we thought he’d handle the (soft) ground as he is a strong horse now and we had to get a run into him.

“There could be some more improvement to come back on nicer ground. There is a good mile handicap at the Curragh on Guineas weekend for him next.

“Wayne Lordan was at Navan today and Robbie had ridden him previously so the owners were happy to let him ride.”

Doubled up

Colgan doubled up on Fond Farewell (14/1) who came from off the pace to win the 24th Of June Ladies Day At Limerick Handicap.

The Vadamos gelding, trained by John Murphy for Paola Hewins and Olivia Hoare, made good headway on the outer inside the final quarter-mile and got up close home to deny long-time leader Nusra by half a length.

Colgan said: “I kept him out for the better ground which wasn’t as poached up. He travelled around really well, is a fine big horse and stayed at it well.

“He has probably strengthened up since last year and had a little blow pulling up so hopefully he can win again.”

GAMBE Veloci justified 2/1 favouritism in the Ardglass Stables Breeze-Up Maiden.

Runner-up twice last term and unlucky in running when third at the Listowel Festival, the grey Caravaggio gelding made no mistake on this seasonal debut.

Having tracked the leaders under Dylan Browne McMonagle, he made good headway from early in the straight to collar the front-running Nostringsattached inside the final furlong and went away to beat that rival by three and a half lengths.

Brendan Powell, assistant to Joseph O’Brien who trains the winner for the Annus Mirabilis Syndicate, said: “He wants soft ground and is a stronger, more straightforward horse this year. Joseph’s girlfriend Tara (Armstrong) has been riding him since he came back in.

“He is nice and relaxed, stays well and will get further without a doubt.”

Well-supported

O’Brien, also on the mark at Navan, completed a Limerick maidens double when the well-supported 11/8 favourite Etna Rosso made a winning debut in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Median Auction Maiden.

The Decorated Knight colt, who had a spin in a barrier trial last term, sat second before heading the leader St Faz two furlongs out. From that point, he was kept up to his work to account for that rival by two lengths.

Winning rider Browne McMonagle, completing a brace of his own, reported: “He is a lovely horse who was working well at home. He was getting stuck in the ground a couple of times and lost momentum a bit but it was more greenness than anything. He stays well and on a better surface you’ll definitely see a better horse.”

The Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden was won by 20/1 chance Bellaphina in the hands of Conor Maxwell.

Picked up

The daughter of James Garfield tracked the leaders and picked up well to collar the front-running Sweetest Rose inside the final furlong and was a length and a quarter in front of that rival at the line.

John Kinsella, based in Rathdrum, Co Wicklow, trains the winner for owner/breeders Agricola Ficomontanino.

“We weren’t sure if she’d go on the ground but thankfully she did,” said Kinsella.

“She had two good runs last year and had a touch of sore shins after her second run. We knew she was good and put her away.

He added: “I have 15 in training, that’s my first flat winner and we had a couple of good ones which we sold including (listed winner) Limiti Di Greccio to Paddy Twomey and (Group 3 winner) Commanche Country which went to America.”

EMPTY Metaphor, who had run well as a 100/1 outsider in the 2000 Guineas Trial at Leopardstown, made all under Declan McDonogh in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF (C & G) Maiden.

A second winner on the card for Rathbarry Stud stallion James Garfield, the 6/1 chance was strongly challenged all the way down the straight by Toughen Up but just managed to fend off that rival by a head

Claire O’Connell trains the winner for Riona Teggart, wife of retired jockey Andrew Lynch. Teggart said: “He ran a good race the last day when he blew up 100 yards from the line and Billy (Lee) said he’d go close the next day.

“We were a bit worried about the ground but he handled it well. We had him as a breezer and he might now go to the horses-in-training sale at the Guineas meeting.”

Apprentice Jessica Maye registered her second winner when steering the John Connaughton-owned-and-bred Any Dream Will Do (22/1) to success in the Ard Erin Stud Handicap.

Out of a half-sister to Group 1 winner Coronet, Any Dream Will Do lost ground at the start but was produced on the outside with her challenge, eventually improving to lead inside the final furlong and beating Shawaamekh by a length and a half.

Winning trainer Willie McCreery said: “It is an important win pedigree-wise as she is a beautifully-bred filly. She missed the break but Jessica gave her plenty of time and didn’t panic.”