Tactics payoff for classy Ferneley
He came from behind to score in fine style at Galway, but a change of tactics here paid a rich dividend here.
Willie Supple soon had him striding along in front and the son of Ishiguru had this in the bag early in the straight.
He took a couple of lengths out of the field and though Summit Surge stayed on to great effect was still a neck down at the line.
“He has that extra gear,” commented a clearly pleased Ennis. “The Group Two Futurity Stakes at the Curragh is coming up at the end of the month and I might be tempted by that. But he won’t get a hard time this season, he will make a lovely three-year-old.”
Ennis’s Inourthoughts would have to be described as a somewhat surprise winner of the Longfield Stud EBF Maiden.
Fourth previously behind Rabatash on this track, she was five and a half lengths adrift of runner-up Divert, who was also in this field.
Inourthoughts came between Flash McGahon and Divert inside the furlong pole for Rory Cleary and was nicely on top at the line.
“She won’t get too much racing this season, a nursery at Bellewstown could be next,” reported Ennis.
Edward O’Grady’s Querido, an eye-catcher in his previous two outings, made no mistake with a smooth victory in the Pride Of Tipperary Maiden Hurdle.
He was all the rage in the morning, hardening down to as low as evens from 2-1. On track, however, he was very uneasy, returned at 6-4.
In the final analysis the ex-Godolphin inmate, wearing cheekpieces for the first time, outclassed his rivals.
Paddy Flood was in no hurry, finally putting the opposition out of their misery when easing ahead just before the last and Querido quickened away to score with his head in his chest.
“He’s just taken time to come to himself and will now hit the Kerry circuit,” said O’Grady.
Johnny Murtagh took his tally for the campaign to 53 when Benwilt Breeze won the Oversway Handicap, sweeping through late to grab Lone Plainsman.
“He’s a genuine horse, who just struggles in the big league,” said trainer Ger Lyons.
Michael Snee (17) looked neat and tidy as he pushed the Peter Henley trained Mouseen out to beat Vicky Lane a head in the Derrinstown Stud Apprentice Handicap.
This was the Dubliner’s first winner and only his sixth ride. He is attached to the Kevin Prendergast yard.
Certain odds-on chance Ecole d’Art missed the Relaunched www.tipperaryraces.ie Website Novice Hurdle and that left the way open for the rather disappointing Norborne Bandit.
Ruby Walsh had him in front three from home and took no chances in the closing stages, driving him to a seven lengths defeat of Real Overdrive.
Corky Carroll from Charleville enjoyed a ninth success aboard the Tommy Stack-trained newcomer, Rehill Lass, in the Bumper.
The daughter of Shernazar powered ahead over a furlong down and had little trouble holding Will If I Want.
Well-backed favourite, Bianconi Drive, found little for pressure, finishing a well beaten fifth.
