AFTER earlier registering a double on the level at Down Royal, San Salvador completed a cross-card treble for Joseph O’Brien, as he claimed the feature Ballymore Group Irish EBF Kilbegnet Novice Chase.

Just eight days on from registering his first win over fences, the eight-year-old benefitted from a patient JJ Slevin ride.

Owned by the Annus Mirabilis Syndicate and sent off a well-backed 13/2 chance (16s early) for this Grade 3 heat, he took closer order on the approach to three-out.

Quickening up after the next, the now five-time winner was ridden away from the last and soon got to the front, keeping on well for pressure to beat A Law Of Her Own by three and a quarter lengths.

“It was a good performance, he is improving away and is a decent horse,” Slevin commented.

“They went a nice gallop, a good fast two miles, and riding him to land him there suits.”

Late delivery

Mexican Moonshine was also delivered late in the Thomas A. Murray Roscommon Bar Mares Maiden Hurdle. The Gordon Elliott-trained chesnut was returned a 13/2 chance under Sam Ewing.

In a share of the lead before the last, the Pioneer Racing-owned five-year-old soon gained a narrow advantage and stayed on best in the closing stages, beating 11/8 favourite Grooveykindalove by half a length.

“She was actually still a little bit green, so hopefully there will be more improvement in her,” Ewing stated.

The Henry de Bromhead-trained track debutant Wonleg (15/2) took the honours in the opening Guinness Maiden Hurdle contest in the colours of the Herding Cats Partnership.

Settled well in fourth, he made gradual inroads from early in the straight, gaining a slender lead before the final flight and found plenty for pressure on the run-in under Darragh O’Keeffe, beating Saint Le Fort by a length and three-quarters.

“We’re delighted with that. He had done a few nice bits of work at home,” Robbie Power representing de Bromhead disclosed. “They went very hard and Darragh got into a lovely rhythm on him, he jumped really well.”

JUST three days after pulling up at Listowel, Kilashee (16/1) bounced back to form, as she ran her rivals ragged from the front in the concluding Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Handicap Chase.

Registering her fifth win of the season, the admirable John Ryan-trained nine-year-old jumped well throughout under Daniel King.

While briefly pressed from three out, she went on again when ridden after the next, coming home four lengths to the good in the colours of the Bitview Partnership.

“She’s some little mare, she’s gold dust,” Ryan enthused.

“I put on a cross noseband the other day and I’d say it was on a little bit tight. She resented and was shaking her head.”

Better luck this time

The Darren Collins-trained Sayitfirst sprang an 18/1 surprise in the Jimmy Murray Agri Services Handicap Hurdle.

A well-beaten sixth at Listowel four days prior, the 87-rated eight-year-old gained the upper hand away from the last, coming home a length and a quarter to the good under Diarmuid Moloney.

“We were disappointed in Listowel, she ran fairly well, but the ground caught her out down there,” Collins said.

“She’s won twice for the club now (the Profit In Your Pocket Racing Club) and she’s a nice mare.”

Yet another outsider came out on top in the first division of the Regan Tractor And Jeep Sales Handicap Hurdle, with Brian Hayes guiding 22/1 chance Lispopple to a first win.

Improving from mid-division, the Philip Fenton-trained six-year-old jumped three out in a share of the lead and led shortly after the last, stretching clear on the run-in to record a decisive five and a half length success.

“Perseverance was the answer here. I wanted to sell him after his last run and we had a buyer in the yard, but his owner (Michael Fagan) rang me to say we’ll give him one more go,” Fenton revealed.

OLIVER McKiernan was successful with both of his representatives, combining with Phillip Enright for a 41/1 brace.

The pair struck first with Warmer Days Ahead in the second division of the Regan Tractor And Jeep Sales Handicap Hurdle.

Tried in blinkers for the first time, the French-bred five-year-old was sent off favourite at 5/1. The 92-rated bay led before three out and increased his advantage after the next, ultimately sauntering to a six-length success.

“The blinkers helped him, as he was very sleepy in his races. Even when he hit the front today, Phillip had to keep after him,” McKiernan remarked.

Sealing the brace

Also carrying the colours of Keep The Faith Bloodstock Limited, Its Not Over Yet came home five lengths to the good in the Image Furnishing Handicap Hurdle.

The Califet five-year-old raced in mid-division, taking closer order from four out. The 6/1 chance gained an outright advantage on the run to the penultimate obstacle and readily stretched clear in the closing stages.

“She won the last day over three miles and it took three miles to get her to win,” McKiernan reflected.

“She has improved since the last day and, while she’s handy enough, she has good scope.”