REGISTERING their second and third wins of the August Festival respectively, Rachael Blackmore and Willie Mullins picked up the leading jockey and trainer prizes.

Blackmore guided Marv Michael to victory in the Tramore Amusements Maiden Hurdle, with this Henry de Bromhead-trained six-year-old returned the second choice of punters at 5/2.

Settled in second, the Westerner bay made progress to lead before two out and went a few lengths clear when ridden before the last, eventually coming home four lengths to the good.

“I’m delighted for the lads (Marv Michael Syndicate) who are great supporters and they’ve been patient,” de Bromhead divulged.

“He is really improving and I’d say the cheekpieces helped him. He seemed in mighty form coming here and I’d say two and a half to three miles is ideal for him.”

Mullins success

The Mullins success came in the Victoria House Tramore Mares Beginners Chase, with Space Tourist (11/8 favourite) just getting the better of stable companion A Penny A Hundred.

Always prominent, the Paul Townend-ridden victor jumped slightly left at times but gained a definite lead from four out.

Pressed before the second last, the Yorkshire Rose Syndicate-owned Jet Away was soon ridden and joined, but rallied gamely on the run-in and prevailed by half a length at the line.

“I’m very happy to get the win with her and she might be a bit better going left-handed,” Mullins disclosed.

“I was particularly pleased with the second and it won’t be long before she wins a beginners.”

Diamond shines

Closutton representatives, El Fabienne and Marie’s March, surprisingly failed to make an impact in the concluding Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares INH Flat Race, with the Hilary McLoughlin-trained Parga Diamond coming out on top.

Out of the 2009 Ebor winner Sesenta, the Michael Carroll-owned 7/1 chance raced prominently in the early stages, improving to the front approaching halfway.

Sixth at Galway on her previous start, she had all her rivals off the bridle with a furlong and a half to go, stretching clear in the closing stages to win by three lengths and three-quarters.

“The pace of the race at Galway was slow and she stayed on brilliantly to the line. I just wanted to make more use of her today,” O’Connor reflected.

“She’s very well-bred and could keep improving.”

Josh Williamson, rider of third place finisher Music Of Life, later picked up a two-day ban for careless riding.

BEATEN by half a length in this contest 12 months ago, Lake Chad wasn’t going to be denied this time around, as he trounced his 11 rivals in the feature McCarthy’s Irish Bar Lexington Handicap Chase.

Registering a second success at the Graun Hill venue, the Philip Fenton-trained nine-year-old came in for plenty of support, going off a 15/2 chance from early shows of 16/1. Soon settled behind the leaders by Sean O’Keeffe, the Montmartre grey took closer order from four out and eased to the front approaching the penultimate fence.

In the colours of Eileen Moore, the 97-rated victor soon increased his advantage and was 13 lengths clear of runner-up Natural Breeze at the line, with just half the field managing to complete the course.

“He is better around here than anywhere else and always runs a good race here,” Fenton remarked.

“He is in at Killarney on Thursday in another handicap chase and if he comes out of this alright, he could run.”

No luck

Favourite backers were again out of luck in the Heinz Pollmeier Memorial Handicap Chase, with Erigmoor (4/1 favourite) failing to reel-in the front-running Just Jacob.

An early faller resulted in the final fence being omitted for the remainder of the race, with the Gavin Cromwell-trained victor staying out of harm’s way at the head of affairs.

Clear after the fifth under Kieran Buckley, the 16/1 chance saw his advantage reduced by the market leader from the last, but there was still two and a quarter lengths between them at the line.

“I was going to get a lead but he grabbed the bit the moment the flag dropped and took me to the front,” Buckley said of the GBLOGBD Limited-owned victor.

“He had them strung out a long way from home and when you’re on one of Gavin’s they just keep going.”

MATER Matuta enhanced her fine record at Tramore, as she justified 3/1 favouritism in the Frank Gillane Memorial Handicap Hurdle.

Trained in Co Meath by Eamonn Delany, the eight-year-old raced mainly in fourth under Jordan Gainford, making progress to challenge on the outer on the approach to the second last.

Soon in a share of the lead, the David Jordan-owned chestnut led narrowly before the final flight and kept on well in the closing stages, holding off the late surge of Banada Bridge by half a length.

“She loves it here, I don’t know what it is, maybe it’s the seaside air, she’s used to that at home,” Alan Delany, son of the winning trainer, commented.  

“We’ll probably head to Bellewstown now in a fortnight’s time for another handicap hurdle, it’s very hard to get chases to suit her. We might bring her to Laytown after that.”

Overdue success

Expound also prevailed by half a length, as he made all in the opening Peter Queally Memorial Maiden Hurdle.

Gaining an overdue success on the level at Ballinrobe in June, the Denis Hogan-trained five-year-old was sent off an easy to back 12/1 chance (7s early) under Daniel King.

Owned by the Corner House Syndicate, the Ulysses chestnut was ridden before the last and kept on well under pressure to hold off the effort of Brilliant Question.

“He jumped really well out in front and galloped strong to the line,” King reflected.