IN stark contrast to the heavy rain that forced the cancellation of this fixture on July 9th, Graun Hill was bathed in warm autumn sunshine.

With plenty of placed form to their names, C’est Rien and Kimy certainly weren’t winning out of turn, as they provided Tom Mullins and his nephew Danny with a double.

On what was her first start over fences, the former claimed the Free Streaming All Racing At Tote.ie Handicap Chase.

A sister to classy stable companion Fascile Mode, the 9/1 chance was given a patient ride, making progress on the outer from the third last.

Coming with her challenge before two out, the seven-year-old jumped the final fence in a share of the lead with Greenway Machine, ultimately outstaying that rival on the run-in to prevail by a length and three-quarters.

Owned and bred by his wife Helen, the winning handler said in the aftermath: “Danny said after riding her around a year ago to run her in one of those chases at the likes of Tramore and that she’d win one of them, so he was right!”

Sam Ewing, rider of the aforementioned runner-up, later picked up a three-day ban for using his whip with excessive frequency.

Comfortable win

Kimy completed the 39/1 brace, as she comfortably accounted for her 14 rivals in the Download The New Tote App Maiden Hurdle.

Returned at 3/1, the Rita Byrne-owned victor raced in second and quickly went clear when getting to the front on the approach to two out.

While Picture Of You, who was sent off the warm order favourite at 3/10 (from 11/8 early), kept on into second after the last, she had no chance with the winner and was six and a half lengths adrift at the line.

“She had the cheekpieces on, but I don’t know whether they made the difference, because she was coming along well,” Mullins reflected.

“Everything went sweet for Danny today and she’ll go for the Lartigue now.”

Doyle yard bounces back from virus

FIRST Dare was a welcome winner for Liz Doyle, as she captured the Tramore Racecourse Directors Handicap Hurdle.

Registering her second success at the venue, the 6/1 chance tracked the leaders under Tom Harney, taking closer order when pushed along on the approach to two out.

In front before the final flight, the Sooner Or Later Syndicate-owned chestnut increased her advantage on the run-in and was five lengths clear of the staying on Ta Na La at the line.

“I was wiped out with a virus, but the horses are healthy again. I haven’t had a winner since last October, that’s how bad it has been, but it’s good to get back on track today,” Doyle enthused.

After pulling up on three of his last four outings, The Friday Man (4/1 from 6s) was another previous course winner on the mark, as he bounced back to form in the Tramore Racecourse Directors Beginners Chase.

On his first start since returning to Gordon Elliott, the Kayf Tara seven-year-old raced in rear for much of this extended two-mile, six-furlong heat.

Making gradual progress on the final circuit, the Michael Hanrahan-owned bay was challenging in second on the approach to the penultimate obstacle, when left in front by the fall of 9/4 favourite Iris Emery.

Clear success

Sent clear by Jack Kennedy before the last, the now six-time winner eventually came home four and three-quarter lengths clear of stable companion Shajak.

“We were riding him to finish out his race because he hadn’t been and it all fell into place for him,” Kennedy reported. “We were helped with the faller, but it felt like I had her covered.”

Reserve Dee’s Getaway sprang a 20/1 surprise under Charlie O’Dwyer in the Students Raceday October 10th Maiden Hurdle.

The pair outbattled market leader He’s Ultimate on the run-in to win by half-a-length.

“She is well-bred and the step-up in trip suited her,” winning trainer Philip Dempsey commented.

“Her owner David L’Estrange is a great supporter of ours and we won’t be in any great rush with her, as she is only four.”

Maxwell gains breakthrough National Hunt winner

MABEL In May (12/1) was a first winner under National Hunt rules for Conor Maxwell, as she just prevailed in the concluding Tote Never Beaten By SP Handicap Hurdle.

In first-time cheekpieces, the Shirocco bay raced towards rear under Kieren Buckley making progress with a circuit to go. Ridden before the final flight, the Alison and Calum Dalgarno-owned and bred five-year-old soon found another gear, getting up in the final strides to beat Scottish Dancer by a nose.

“She ran a blinder when second at Downpatrick. We’ve always thought a bit of her and that she’d win a little race,” Maxwell, who was registering his third success in the training ranks, remarked.

Must Be Dreaming ran out a ready winner of the opening tote.ie Handicap Chase under John Shinnick.

Good support

Without a win in her last 24 starts, the Garrett Ahern-trained seven-year-old came in for good market support and was returned a 13/2 chance (25s early).

The Canford Cliffs bay travelled best when coming with her effort approaching the penultimate fence. The pair gained an outright advantage before the last and stretched clear on the run-in, coming home four and a half lengths to the good in the colours of Ger Gubbins Construction Ltd.

“She has loads of ability but just decides when and when not to do it,” Ahern disclosed. “I haven’t spoken to Ger yet but after this I think we will just run her in better company, with smaller fields from now on.”