Improved jumping seals it for Rockstown Boy
There was very little pace on in the early part of the race and Barry Geraghty grabbed the contest by the scruff of the neck when allowing Rockstown Boy stride on shortly after half way.
The winner made his only semblance of an error when awkward at the third last and was almost joined over the next by The Boys In Green.
By the final flight, however, the issue was decided. Rockstown Boy flew the obstacle and stretched two and a half lengths clear on the level.
Said Byrnes: “I’m delighted with that, he jumped much better than at Gowran Park.
“He definitely wants good ground and, as long as it stays safe, we will keep going with him.
“He could head next for a two and a half mile race at either Cork or Tipperary. The dream is Cheltenham.”
Yayo, a drifter to 5-1 from 9-4 - although attracting some late money - won the Ballybeggan Handicap Chase for Roche.
Dunmanogue went on with under a circuit to cover and looked all over a winner turning for home. But he found little from the last and Conor O’Dwyer drove the winner past half way up the run in.
Said Frank Berry, racing manager to owner, J P McManus: “He got his act together today, the fences aren’t too big here and that was a help.
“He’s been disappointing, but will now keep racing through the summer. He’s best fresh.”
Mwaley, backed from a little 10-1 to half those odds, got the best of a tough battle to land the opening Vale Of Tralee Maiden.
Conspiring went on well over three furlongs from home, but was strongly pressed early in the straight by heavily backed market leader, Pepperwood, 9-10 from 6-4. Danny Grant was getting a real tune from Mwaley by now, however, and she soon challenged between horses.
Through the last hundred yards it was all Mwaley, who stayed on much too strongly for her two rivals.
There was some very close riding and a stewards’ inquiry was quickly called. An alteration to the placings, though, was never a possibility.
Jason Behan produced Monalee Lass with impeccable timing to land the Caherconree Handicap for the Pat Martin yard.
Dalriath led with over quarter of a mile to go, but the winner swept past inside the final furlong.
Commented Martin: “I knew Jason would suit her, she needs to be bustled along.
“She will go to Laytown now, as long as I can persuade the owner.”
Martin completed a double when Confey Lass won the Directors’ Handicap Hurdle with any amount in hand. Barry Geraghty had the ride and he was also enjoying a brace, having scored as well on Rockstown Boy.
Confey Laas cantered ahead heading to the home turn and Geraghty was able to sit motionless all the way up the straight. Plans to run her again at Kilbeggan on Friday night had to be shelved, however. The mare returned with a bad cut to her off-hind and faces a spell on the sidelines.
Kiptanui, fourth behind Dusseldorf on his reappearance at Killarney, showed the benefit of that outing when streaking away with the Ballyheigue Handicap.
In-form Wayne Lordan sent him on with over a furlong to go and Kiptanui was soon in charge to beat Banrion comfortably.
Celestial Light, one of the most frustrating horses in training, appeared to have finally cracked it when cruising ahead three furlongs out in the Bumper. She looked a bigger certainty early in the straight, but then her stride began to shorten and Abadair powered past close home to score by a neck.
