Colin Keane and Ger Lyons scored a quick double in the last two contests of a very informative flat card at Naas, joining Oisín Orr and Newtown Anner Stud as the fixture’s primary beneficiaries.
Soul Search went into the concluding three-year-old fillies’ maiden with a rating of 105, having only been beaten a head by English 1000 Guineas Love on her juvenile debut and subsequently been placed in two Group 2s, while also only two lengths in arrears of Love in the Group 1 Moyglare Stud Stakes.
She made her seasonal reappearance in the Irish 1000 Guineas and was far from disgraced, though never competitive.
All that ensured that the Newtown Anner-owned filly went off a 2/5 favourite and she justified that confidence, ridden with plenty of confidence by Keane to prevail without being given a hard time although Ya Beauty did keep her honest.
Edward Hopper (4/6f) was very courageous to nab the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Median Auction Maiden by a short head, fighting back up the inner after it had appeared that Ben Coen had stolen the contest on Aztec Parade.
Coen had gotten on the board in an ultra-competitive three-year-old fillies’ maiden with stakes-placed Pronouncement (6/4f) for red-hot trainer Johnny Murtagh.
The talented Tipperary rider was made to work though as Na Blianta Beo, who finished fourth in a Listed race recently, came with a late flourish but Pronouncement was a willing partner who stuck her head out bravely to win by that distance.
Oisín Orr recorded an earlier double, while also supplying Newtown Anner Stud with the first leg of their brace, when the Dermot Weld-trained Hightimeyouwon (3/1f) held off Papa Bear despite having been off the track for a year to claim the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden for colts and geldings aged three and older.
Earlier, Orr had combined with Dick Brabazon to garner the Naas Handicap, Son And Sannie (7/2) bolting up by three and a half lengths in the five-furlong contest.
Elsewhere, Dark Magic (11/2) was on his best behaviour after refusing to load at this track on Saturday and rewarded trainer Johnny Levins for his patience to score from Accladora, Donagh O’Connor doing the steering.
The Irish EBF Median Sires Series Maiden went to Dacesa (11/10) who overcame immaturity to win by a head from Blueberry Faygo for Jessica Harrington and jockeys’ championship pacesetter, Shane Foley.
Meanwhile, Rachael Blackmore followed up her Listed win on the Flat last week with a double at Roscommon for her boss Henry de Bromhead in her more natural National Hunt habitat.
Blackmore was sporting the Kenny Alexander colours she has enjoyed so much success in with Honeysuckle when weighing out for the Tulsk Mares Maiden Hurdle (Division 1) and from the drop of the flag, she and Telmesomethinggirl never spotted another rival, jumping fluently and scooting clear after the turn in to score by 14 lengths from Moll Dote.
The Killenaule pilot had to work much harder in the www.roscommonracecourse.ie Maiden for colts and geldings, conjuring another rally from Email Rose (11/8f) when headed after the last by Onlyhuman to emerge triumphant by a neck.
Sneaky Getaway (5/4f) was a four-time winner for Emmet Mullins in bumpers and on the flat prior to making his debut over hurdles and was very impressive in getting off the mark, lobbing along in front under Brian Hayes and having far too many gears for the opposition.
Paul Nolan can be pleased with an astute bit of placing, making use of Quamino’s rating almost two stone inferior to his chase mark to claim the Knockcroghery Handicap Hurdle.
Another pillar-to-post victor, the 2/1 second favourite dictated the pace from the front under Bryan Cooper, who had more than enough kept in hand to hold off rallying favourite Mutadaffeq in what could serve as a nice Galway Plate warm-up if the German-bred seven-year-old gets into it.
Point-to-point king Colin Bowe secured his second triumph since jump racing’s resumption on the track thanks to Sweet Home Chicago (18/1), who travelled smoothly and was navigated into the lead approaching the penultimate flight by Sean O’Keeffe before easing away from Kilkishen.
Earlier, Bonarc (3/1) took the second division of the mares’ maiden hurdle comfortably, again deploying front-running tactics that are a trademark of John Patrick Ryan-conditioned horses. David Mullins executed the plan perfectly and they finished four and a half lengths ahead of She Tops The Lot.
The concluding Irish Stallion Farms EBF (Ladies Pro/Am) Mares Race went to Beret Rouge in bloodless fashion, Jody Townend inching the Willie Mullins-trained charge into contention half a mile out and pulling inexorably clear in the manner of a talented individual.
