Hall’s well with Parish

Off the track since landing the Dubai Dewhurst Stakes in Newmarket in October 2011, Parish Hall made a successful return to action when landing the listed Irish Open Alleged Stakes at the Curragh yesterday.

Ridden by Kevin Manning, the Teofilo colt produced a workmanlike — if not impressive — display despite hanging left briefly, to see off Inis Meain and Steps To Freedom, to the relief of his trainer Jim Bolger, who admitted: “We nearly lost him last year. He had a very bad infection in his near hind joint. It responded to the anti-biotics, but then burst out and damaged a tendon behind. But all the damage is repaired and everything is intact.”

Bolger added: “I always had confidence in my horse. But I was concerned about the ground and the fact that he was off for so long. He’s very idle at home and will improve no end from this run.”