THE winner of 14 flat races on the continent between Poland, France and Spain, much-travelled Plontier (evens favourite) made a winning debut in Ireland when easily landing the Mulhern Leonard Chartered Accountants Maiden Hurdle.

Owned by Stawomir Pegza and trained by Willie Mullins, the eight-year-old entire raced close to the pace before going on at halfway and, despite a couple of minor errors, went away after the second-last to beat Love Like This by 12 lengths.

The winner holds an entry in the Ebor Handicap but a mark of 93 means that he is unlikely to make the cut.

“I’m very happy with that, he has a lovely attitude to jumping hurdles,” said rider Paul Townend.

“He missed one or two but he’s a novice, so he’s entitled to do that. He was looking for the next one and wants to jump. The ground wasn’t what he’s used to but he handled it well.”

Well-timed

The James Barcoe-trained Early Arrival (4/1) was delivered with a well-timed challenge by Kieran Callaghan to win the featured Lighthouse At Clifford Electrical Handicap Hurdle.

The nine-year-old led after the last to beat The Truant by a length and three-quarters in the colours of The Bigger Picture Partnership.

Callaghan said: “That’s my third time winning on him. It’s tough enough work out there, especially for these summer horses. Jimmy’s horses have been running well all summer and I think he might go back chasing with this lad because he has a nice mark over fences.”

Dollar does it the hard way

A HABITUAL front-runner, Dollar Value (4/5 favourite) had to resort to Plan B before eventually coming home a very easy winner of the Clayton Hotel Claiming Hurdle.

Reluctant to race, the Tom McCourt-trained grey lost considerable ground at the last and trailed the field by over 10 lengths after the first flight. Alex Harvey latched onto the rear of the chasing group on Dollar Value who made gradual progress to lead after two out and readily came clear to beat Boom Boom Boom by 16 lengths.

Harvey said: “Everything went wrong at the start and he had his ears back. I was shocked and for the first mile I was shaking my head, but thank God we went quick and I was able to get into the race then.

Tom McCourt added of Pat Jordan’s grey who was winning a 12th race for the yard: “He’s always been tricky at the start and refused one day here before. I always go down to the start with him, if I wasn’t there he wouldn’t go at all.” There were no claims following the race.

Doubled up

Harvey doubled up with a more orthodox success on the John McConnell-trained Cloonainra (11/1) who made a winning rules debut in the Martin Reilly Hyundai Mares Maiden Hurdle. The daughter of Financial Reward raced close to the pace and led two out to beat Kate Knows Best by nine lengths. Alex Harvey said: “I had my first double at Kilbeggan a couple of weeks ago and things are going well. A big thanks to my agent Garry Cribbin.

“We fancied her but didn’t think she’d win like that. The rain was a blessing for her, she won her point-to-point on soft ground and loved the ground today.”

“Pauline Conlon is a loyal owner of John’s so I’m delighted for her.”

Ryan is on a double roll

DRUMGILL (11/2), owned and trained by John Ryan, followed up a maiden victory at Ballinrobe when making all under Danny Gilligan in the Kilcawley Construction Rated Novice Hurdle.

Pushed clear entering the straight, he was ridden with a reduced advantage after the last but held on to beat Spy by half a length.

“He got a bit of confidence after winning the last day and just got away with the ground, he probably wouldn’t want it any softer than that,” said Gilligan

Ryan added: “This is a nice horse from the family of Constitution Hill and Menorah.

“He’s been slow enough to get going but is a raw five-year-old with a lot of talent and I’d be hoping that he’ll make up into a nice horse over fences.”

Ryan doubled up when Kilbride Hill (11/1) made just about all the running to gamely land the Apex Controls Ltd Handicap Hurdle. The Kingston Hill six-year-old, owned by the Breslin & Ryan Syndicate, was making his handicap debut and showed plenty of resolution to fend off better-fancied stablemate Lodilomoco by a length and a quarter.

It was a first success under rules for jockey John Aherne who said: “I’m from Mallow and have been riding as an amateur for four years. I’ve ridden two point-to-point winners at Kildorrery.

“I go up to John’s place as much as I can and go to a local yard, Arthur O’Grady’s, as well.”

Owner-jockey John Reddington made all the running aboard Love At Sea (28/1) to win the concluding Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares (Pro/Am) INH Flat Race.

Great supporter

A great supporter of the game, London-based Irishman Reddington has ridden winners for several trainers in recent seasons. Love At Sea gradually went further and further clear of her rivals and Reddington kept the Pat Hurley-trained six-year-old up to her work to win by an unchallenged 20 lengths from market leader Surfin USA.

Reddington said: “It was very quiet out there and I was thinking I’d gone too hard! It wasn’t really the plan to make the running but I didn’t have much choice!

“I’m in the construction business but I ride out every morning with a friend of mine before work. You start off the day in a good way. I’m 52 years of age but it’s only a number and I look after myself.”