FREE entry failed to draw a crowd at this Wednesday afternoon fixture, a replacement for the meeting cancelled during the August festival.

Jamie Powell had a strong book of rides and the young apprentice came away with a brace, highlighted by the success of the Raymond McMahon-owned Fratas (10/3) in the Newtown Fillies Handicap.

Drawn widest of all, the three-year-old chesnut soon made her way to the front and while joined by Royal Eagle (6/4 favourite) with over half a mile to race, she found more when ridden from the furlong pole, going on to prevail by half a length.

“Jamie said that pure toughness won it for her,” winning trainer Michael Mulvany commented.

“We haven’t anything planned, she is after doing everything we’ve asked of her. That’s three on the bounce now and she has really paid her way.”

Double

Powell completed his double aboard Pro Bono in the Copper Coast Handicap, with this one carrying the colours of suspended trainer Patrick Hayes.

In the care of Cormac Farrell and returned a 4/1 co-favourite of three, the eight-year-old was settled in mid-division, taking closer order on the outer with just under a circuit to race.

Ridden to lead from the furlong pole, he kept on well in the closing stages and came home two lengths to the good.

“He was good and the race went very smooth for me. I jumped out and got a nice spot,” Powell reflected.

“I knew he was going to stay and to be fair he was hardy and hit the line well.

“I’m delighted to get the double. I had plenty of good rides coming here today and I was confident that I would get at least one.”

LEIGH Roche topped and tailed the card, with the Galway native completing his double aboard Annecherie in the concluding Gaultier Handicap.

An eye-catching fourth at Navan last month, the Sheila Lavery-trained five-year-old was sent off a well-supported 17/2 chance (from 12s) in the colours of the Llewelyn Runeckles Partnership.

In rear early on, the Yeats bay made gradual progress on the final circuit and was pushed along in third from the two-furlong pole.

Ridden to challenge inside the final furlong, she soon got to the front and came home a length and a half to the good, with Walnut Beach (15/8 favourite) a never nearer second.

“I knew from around three and a half furlongs out that I was going to take a fair bit of beating,” Roche disclosed.

“I think she could win again, once things work out for her and they go a nice even gallop. She stays well and is tough.”

Roche had earlier guided Eziva to victory in the opening Tramore Maiden, with this Dermot Weld-trained bay returned the even-money favourite.

Head of affairs

Owned and bred by the Aga Khan and fitted with cheekpieces for the first time, the 73-rated victor was always towards the head of affairs, gaining a definite advantage with over three-furlongs to race. She kept up the gallop in the closing stages and came home two and a quarter lengths clear of Skyquake (3/1).

“She stays very well, so I was making sure there was a good pace. I could have done with getting a lead for longer. The cheekpieces definitely helped her as she is just lazy,” Roche said.

First time cheekpieces also had the desired effect on the Noel Meade-trained Notturno (9/2), who made the breakthrough on his 13th start in the Lismore Handicap.

With Elsas Pride (9/4 favourite) and Sparkit taking each other on up front, Jake Coen was content to settle the bay victor towards rear.

Good progress

Making good progress from the two-furlong pole, he swept to the front inside the final 200 yards and ultimately ran out a comfortable three-length winner in the colours of the Eagles Partnership.

“Mr Meade just told me to take my time. He done it well and won with a bit in hand,” Coen enthused.

“The cheekpieces helped him massively. They helped him travel into the race and we got racing a long way out. The ones in front just slowed up and I was coming at them quick.”

There was a sting in the tail for Coen, who picked up a two-day careless riding ban, after his mount edged right inside the final furlong, hampering two of his rivals.

BEATEN a neck at Galway less than 24 hours earlier, Out On Friday went a place better when prevailing by a nose in the Ardmore Handicap.

Adopting his customary front-running role, the Philip Byrne-trained bay was strongly pressed by Beautiful Chaos from the two-furlong pole and after a protracted tussle, just a nose separated them at the line. The first two home were returned the 9/4 joint-favourites, with Sean Bowen aboard the winner for owner/breeder Tony Deegan.

“Philip said that he ate up and was 100% after yesterday,” Bowen revealed. “He handled the track well today and stepping up to a mile and a half probably suited him. That’s my 29th winner and I have one more before my claim goes to 5lb.”

Uxmal (2/1) had a much easier time of it in the West Waterford Maiden, completing an across-the-card double for Joseph O’Brien, who was earlier on the mark at Punchestown with Star Galaxy. A first winner on the level for J.J. Slevin, the Galileo four-year-old was never far from the pace in the colours of Flaxman Stables Ireland Ltd.

Coming with his challenge from the two-furlong pole, he soon got to the front and readily stretched clear inside the final furlong, with seven lengths the winning margin.

“He had a few good runs and deserved that,” Slevin remarked. “He came up against a decent bumper horse (A Piece Of Heaven) at Gowran last week. It was a very good performance from him today and he stayed at it very well.”