THERE was a real mixed bag of results on this students’ raceday with odds-on shots bookending a seven-race card that also featured a couple of sizeable shocks.

Punters got off to a bright start when Douglas Dc ended a frustrating sequence of placed efforts by justifying odds of 4/7 in the Newtown Maiden Hurdle. Trained by Gordon Elliott for David Spratt, the Zoffany gelding headed the front-running Igraine after two out and kept on well under Jack Kennedy to beat that rival by five and a half lengths.

“He’s been knocking on the door. He jumped a bit better today and just made a few little mistakes. He will be a grand horse throughout the summer,” said Kennedy.

The upcoming Punchestown Festival looks a likely target for Good Bye Sam after opening his account in the Waterford Hunt Fundraiser Hunters Chase. Those who supported the Willie Mullins-trained 5/6 favourite had some anxious moments throughout but he was galvanised by the trainer’s son Patrick to head Er Dancer close home for a half-length verdict.

“He probably wants to go the other direction. He was hanging and jumping a bit to his left everywhere. He didn’t really come down the hill but once he hit the rising ground he stayed on well,” said Patrick Mullins of the Margaret Masterson-owned gelding.

“We might go for the Ladies Cup with him in Punchestown. He schooled over banks and seems pretty good so that might be the next port of call.”

Alvaro obliges in a major shock

THERE was a major shock in the Ladies Day August 13th Maiden Hurdle where Alvaro scored for the father and son team of Eric and Conor McNamara at odds of 66/1. The Archipenko gelding won on the all-weather at Lingfield for Michael Wigham a couple of years ago but was soundly beaten in all three previous hurdle outings for current connections.

However, the six-year-old got his act together here coming through to lead just after the last for a three-quarter-length victory over Taxi Rank.

Conor McNamara didn’t sugar-coat the performance afterwards saying: “His work had been good the last few weeks at home but it didn’t ride like a good race as we hacked and we didn’t even quicken. I thought he’d be a lowly rated handicapper and maybe he is. He was as fit as a flea and I can’t see him improving much.”

He added: “He runs in the colours of Tim Duggan who owns him along with a few friends who are also from Limerick.”

Naomh improves

A wind operation has obviously proved highly successful for Naomh Moling who left disappointed form in six previous outings (bumpers/maiden hurdles) well behind to take the Copper Coast Handicap Hurdle in great style at odds of 33/1.

The lightly raced seven-year-old quickly took command after the penultimate flight for an impressive 10-length success under Richie Deegan.

“That’s a bit of a surprise. He had a bit of wind trouble and we had his palate lasered after his last run. That seems to have done the trick and the better ground helped as well,” said John Clifford, who trains the son of Aizavoski for Michael Byrne.

Bonanza day for Barcoe

FELLOW Kilkenny trainer Jimmy Barcoe saddled a one-two in the Anne Valley Walk Handicap Hurdle where Frazel Express (15/2) quickened clear before the last under Cathal Landers to beat stablemate Allez George by an easy nine lengths.

“She had a good run the last day in Naas and came out of it well. Her jumping was very good today and the extra half mile suited her well,” said Barcoe, who trains the first two home for his wife Yvonne Hennessy. “Donagh (Meyler) was happy with the other horse (Allez George) the last day and was eager to ride him again and he was right. It’s a great day.”

Frazel Express gained her only previous success in a bumper here way back in 2016 for Peter Fahey, and the Monasterevin trainer was also on the scoresheet in the following Tramore Promenade Beginners Chase with Clonmoyle. The 11/1 shot benefitted from a determined drive by Sam Ewing to reel in Lake Chad close home for a head verdict.

Fahey said, “Aidan Fitzgerald had her point-to-pointing and she was very consistent. She’s not the quickest in the world and she ran in a very competitive chase the last day with the plan of coming back here. Sam was brilliant on her.

“The syndicate (Sport Racing Club) have leased the horse from the breeder (Seamus McKeogh). She’ll tip away over fences for the summer and will go back over hurdles as well.”

Fitzgerald’s Lady

Lady McCabe struck form at Wexford earlier this month and followed up in equally emphatic fashion in the West Waterford Handicap Chase. Darragh O’Keeffe was again in the saddle on the 10-year-old mare, owned and trained by Martin Fitzgerald, and she stayed on strongly from two out to beat Walking The Walk by eight lengths.

“Darragh is getting on great with her. The longer distance at Wexford is after giving her confidence and the further she went there the better she was travelling,” said Inch-based Fitzgerald of the 5/1 winner.

“I was a bit worried today coming back half a mile but the ground (officially good to yielding) probably takes a little more getting than summer ground and she stays galloping.

“There are plenty of long distance chases over the summer and hopefully she might win another one. She was meant to go in foal a month ago but she’s started winning now so we’ll have to put that on the long finger.”