Piltown comfortably reverses recent form with Golden Future
“I didn't see any reason why he would and we were worried about the ground”, reported Piltown's trainer, Joe Crowley.
Davy Russell made his move on Golden Future heading to the second last, but Ruby Walsh was immediately in his slipstream on the winner.
Piltown held the call at the final flight and was much the stronger on the level, scoring by a length and three parts.
“Ruby gave him a great ride and he will now head for a winners' of one”, said Crowley.
Rising Force, narrowly beaten by in-form Dapple Dawn at Bellewstown, redeemed the promise of that effort with a clear-cut victory in the September Handicap.
Dermot Weld's blinkered son of Selkirk travelled sweetly through the contest, eased to the front a furlong and a half out and quickly stretched five lengths clear.
It was the 60th success of the campaign for rider, Pat Smullen, with Declan McDonogh on 67 and Johnny Murtagh 61.
John Long, who trains eight horses between Adare and Askeaton, took out a restricted licence over twelve months ago and enjoyed his first success when Itsaboy landed the Equine Warehouse Handicap Hurdle.
Itsaboy wore the well known colours of his wife Angela, which were carried by Garvivonnian, trained by Ned Mitchell, in this year's Aintree Grand National.
Beautifully handled by the promising Richie Kiely, Itsaboy was always holding the late rush of top weight, Persian Return.
“He was a bargain-buy, e700 at Goresbridge, and I hope is the first of many”, declared Long.
Dalucci, who probably found the extended 12 furlongs at Bellewstown, when second to House Of Bourbon, further than he cared to travel made no mistake in the mile and a quarter Rathronan Maiden.
He started joint favourite with John Oxx's Dolce Dovo and the pair filled the first two places.
Wayne Lordan shot clear on Dalucci early in the straight and Dolce Dovo, who could not lie up for most of the contest, was doing her best work at the end but still three lengths adrift at the line.
Gravely Pint was the business in the ring for the Comeragh Maiden Hurdle, finding 13-8 from a little 5-2.
The six-year-old did his job nicely for Davy Russell, quickening from the last to beat Rose Of Clare by a snug length.
“He will probably go to Listowel for a novice hurdle, if the ground stays on the goodish side”, reported trainer, Eoin Griffin.
The Derrinstown Stud Apprentice Claiming Race was as moderate as you can get, but it went the right way for punters.
Michael Halford's Extra Gold was easily the best backed horse in the contest, 5-2 to 7-4 favourite, and duly obliged.
Rory Cleary sent the daughter of Grand Lodge ahead under two furlongs down and she was soon clear to beat Glasog by two and a half lengths.
The Willie Mullins-trained Aura Of Calm got into the Demense Handicap as second reserve and proceeded to score with any amount in hand.
Partnered by Robbie Burke, the four-year-old arrived from the next parish to sweep ahead inside the furlong pole, without his rider having to move a muscle.
Punters ended on a high when market-leader Running Late powered to the front early in the straight to win the Bumper for Colm Murphy and Donie Fahy.
