EOIN Doyle’s Rauzan continued his rise through the ranks, as he beat his older rivals when making it four wins on the spin in the August Festival opening day feature, the Waterford FC Handicap Hurdle.

As short as 4/1 in early shows for this two-mile heat, the Australia four-year-old proved easy to back and eventually went off at 10s under Hugh Morgan.

Clearly not suited by the fast early pace, the 118-rated victor soon found himself towards the rear, before making progress when pushed along from three out, he kept on well in the closing stages to record a comfortable three-length success.

“We were worried the trip was too short. Hugh said he was behind the bridle the whole way and was just struggling to hold his position,” Mooncoin-based Doyle, who trains the winner for his mother Patricia, revealed.

“He is in again on the flat on Saturday and might take his chance.”

Local luck

There was further local joy in the Broadstreet Bar & Grill Rated Novice Hurdle, with the Henry de Bromhead-trained Rosalys making the breakthrough over flights.

Successful in a Huntingdon bumper on debut when in the care of Emma Lavelle, the Workforce bay was sent off the 10/3 favourite and raced prominently on the outer under Rachael Blackmore.

In the colours of Jayne McGivern, she gained a narrow advantage on the approach to the penultimate obstacle and was kept up to her work on the run-in, coming home two and a quarter lengths clear of runner-up Miners Bridge.

“Hopefully now she’s on the right track and she’ll produce a bit more for us. She’s consistent and she definitely has a preference for nicer ground,” Blackmore remarked.

BOUGHT for €310,000 after winning four bumpers for Anthony McCann, Familiar Dreams registered her first success for current connections in the concluding Style Evening August 17th Ladies Maiden.

Fourth on her debut for Gordon Elliott and Qatar Racing Limited at Cork in May, the Postponed five-year-old was returned a well-backed 5/4 favourite (from 2s early).

Improving to track market rival Winter Fog (13/8) leaving the back straight, the Aine O’Connor-ridden victor got to the front from the furlong pole and kept on well in the closing stages, accounting for her aforementioned adversary by two and a half lengths.

“I don’t know if she disappointed at Cork really, it came at the end of a long season,” the winning rider explained.

“She bounced back today and felt amazing, she felt as good as ever. She was only toying with them I suppose.”

Market leaders

On what was a good evening for favourite backers, Clifftop (7/4) also justified his position at the head of the market in the O’Neill’s Bar Beginners Chase.

A runner-up on recent starts at Wexford and Clonmel respectively, the Harry Rogers-trained eight-year-old was given a patient ride by Kieran Buckley.

Making progress from three out, the Canford Cliffs bay appeared held in second on the approach to the last, but soon found an extra gear and raced away from Killinure Lass on the run-in, with two lengths between them at the line.  

“I have to say Kieren was very good on him because he didn’t travel,” Rogers said of the Bernard Carroll, Ralph Kelly and Thomas Cox-owned winner.

“The horse deserved it; he has been knocking on the door and he’ll get a little break now.”

SHOWING no ill effects from her win at Wexford the previous Friday, Cruisin Susan followed-up in the Walsh Butler Ltd Electrical Services Handicap Hurdle.

John Berry was again aboard the Walk In The Park seven-year-old for his father and namesake, settling his mount towards rear.

Returned the 4/1 favourite, she made steady headway from off the pace and came with her challenge before the last, ultimately staying on best to beat Beechroad Winnie by a length and a quarter.

“She loves passing horses and has to be rode on the outside as she doesn’t like horses in around her. She’s quirky but she has won three now,” Berry, who trains the winner for his wife Anna, divulged.

Presenting victory

Presenting Lad was another to follow-up on a recent win, as he just prevailed under Phillip Enright in the opening Bar One Racing Rated Novice Chase.

Successful at Roscommon just nine days earlier, the Mark McNiff-trained eight-year-old was returned a 9/2 chance (7/4 early) in the colours of the Presenting The Lads Syndicate.

While he looked in trouble when headed by Still Ciel (13/8 favourite) approaching two out, the bay victor was switched to the outer before the last and rallied to regain the lead inside the final 50 yards, getting the better of the market leader by a neck.

“I was a bit apprehensive about running him again so soon but the entry for this was small and it was worth a chance,” McNiff reflected.

“He loves that ground and Phillip was exceptional on him.” 

The second choice of punters at 7/2, the 119 Partnership-owned Hasten Slowly claimed a four-year-old heat under Ben Harvey in the Bluegrass Horse Feeds Maiden Hurdle.

The successful John McConnell-trained bay improved to dispute the lead before two out and soon led narrowly.

Ridden before the last, the four-time flat winner extended her advantage on the run-in and was a length and three quarters clear at the line.

“It was fairly straightforward. The penny is after dropping with her and everything came together with her jumping and the way she went through the race,” Harvey commented.