A SECOND students’ day in the space of six months at Tramore once again drew a crowd, with Paidi’s Passion the most notable victor on this seven-race programme.

After wins at Downpatrick and Ballinrobe respectively, the David Christie-trained seven-year-old completed a hat-trick in the Tramore Racecourse On Instagram Handicap Hurdle.

Owned and bred by Sean Duke, the Ocovango mare was returned an 11/4 co-favourite of three and was settled in second by Darragh O’Keeffe, getting to the front on the approach to the penultimate obstacle. After attempting to make all, Natural Breeze came with a renewed effort before the final flight and despite a tussle on the run-in, three-quarters of a length separated the pair at the line.

“She is a bit odd but is very, very tough. She has her own way of doing everything,” Christie commented.

“She is maturing and had been working really well since her win at Ballinrobe. She even looked stronger in the paddock today.”

Jack attack

Another owner/breeder tasted success in the opening www.tramoreraces.ie Maiden Hurdle, with Joe Fitzgerald’s Our Uncle Jack comfortably accounting for eight rivals.

Trained by Fitzgerald’s son Martin, the 17/2 chance raced keenly towards the rear under Sean O’Keeffe, improving to track the leaders with a circuit to go. Fitted with a tongue-tie for the first time, the grandson of Solerina hit the front before two out and went clear on the approach to the final flight, coming home six and a half lengths to the good.

“I thought the tongue-strap might help settle him, but he still took a fair pull today,” the winning handler said.

“We will just try to get as much as we can out of him over hurdles. I think he might develop into a nice chaser next year as he is over 17 hands.”

RECORDING a ninth career success and a fourth at Tramore, Itsalonglongroad made every post a winning one in the Pickardstown Handicap Chase.

Placed on two of his last three starts and in a first-time visor for this near two-mile heat, the versatile nine-year-old was sent off a 10/1 chance under Shane O’Callaghan.

Pressed by Peckham Springs from two out, the Charles Coakley-trained victor responded generously to his rider’s urgings, and stretched clear on the run-in, scoring by seven lengths.

“He is so versatile that you can pick a race for him every week,” winning owner Patrick O’Leary enthused.

“The visor definitely helped him and he was due another win after hitting the crossbar a few times recently.”

Otto obliges

There was a much closer conclusion to the Ardmore Handicap Hurdle, with Pat Flynn’s Duke Otto (9/1) coming out on top.

Given a patient ride by Gary Noonan, the five-year-old made progress approaching four out and was switched off the rail when coming with his challenge on the run to the penultimate flight.

In a share of the lead over the last, he ultimately kept on best under pressure, getting the better of Star Official and Bite That (the 7/2 joint-favourites) by half a length and a length and three quarters respectively, with the latter also trained by Flynn.

“Both horses are coming back from injuries and I’m delighted with the two of them. I thought they both had an equal chance,” the successful handler said.

“The winner is a right little terrier and is owned by great people [the Duke Of Saxony Syndicate]”.

Townend on top

Seventh aboard Port Rashid in that contest, Jody Townend had better luck in the concluding Copper Coast (Ladies Pro/Am) INH Flat Race.

Teaming-up with Willie Mullins, the Co Cork pilot guided newcomer Where’s Nanny to a comfortable four-and-three-quarter-length success.

Sent off an easy-to-back 9/5 chance (from 10/11), the Walk In The Park four-year-old was settled behind the leaders on the inner and got to the front from the furlong pole, stretching clear in the closing stages.

“Jody found a nice strip of ground on the inside for her. She is a lovely filly and there could be more to come. I might give her a break now and bring her back in the spring,” Mullins said.

“She is owned by Joe Lawlor and his son Peter, who are from the Wicklow-Dublin border.”

IN the silks of Patrick Fortune and bred by his late father and namesake, first reserve Croi Corcra made the most of her opportunity in the Waterford Greenway Beginners Chase.

Successful in four of her six point-to-point starts, the Soldier Of Fortune mare was ridden by Ricky Doyle, who replaced the injured Kieren Buckley.

Supported into 15/2 from 14/1 early, the Colin Bowe-trained winner raced in second, taking over from the front-running Umndeni on the downhill run from three out. She scooted clear after the next and came home seven lengths to the good for her Wexford based connections.

“I’m delighted for Patrick, who is from Adamstown. It was always his father’s intention to run her on the track, so young Patrick has kept it going,” Brendan Walsh, representing Bowe, revealed.

“We have no fancy plans, but she has a good pedigree; her dam Rapid Heartbeat is from the family of Shishkin and Voler La Vedette.”

Fur causes upset

Hutchie finished a disappointing eleventh as 9/4 market leader in that contest and favourite backers were again out of luck with Kudasheva (SP 7/4, sixth) in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Maiden Hurdle.

Outsiders fought out the finish to this two-and-a-half-mile contest, with the friendless Faux Fur (28/1 from 15/2 early) holding off 40/1 chance Rachel’s Secret.

Pulled up after her saddle slipped at Fairyhouse the previous week, the Gordon Elliott-trained four-year-old raced keenly and improved into second on the approach to the fourth. In front before two out, she was ridden on the run-in and battled on gamely to prevail by half a length in the colours of owner Brendan Scully.

“She was extremely keen and I kind of can’t believe the way she kept going after how keen she was on that ground,” said winning rider Jack Kennedy.

“Hopefully she will learn to race properly and she’ll be a nice horse then.”