CREPELLO - Premier County trainers shine at Limerick

Ground conditions were surprisingly good at Limerick last week where Tipperary trainers landed three of the six races, and for good measure there were five winning favourites so there were very few complaints except from the bookies, but they also enjoy plenty of days when they emerge on top.

Edward O'Grady drew first blood for the blue and gold brigade when he saddled Downthecellar to land the opening two mile and a furlong 82-100 handicap chase in the capable hands of Darragh O'Keeffe.

Settled just off the pace, the Arcadio gelding looked to be travelling best of all turning to face the judge, however, he ran into traffic problems soon afterwards, but the rider switched out to his left to deliver his challenge. Hitting the front before the final fence Downthecellar found plenty on the run-in to defeat Optum by a length and a half.

A maiden under all codes coming into the race, the winner showed that he may well have a future over the larger obstacles. According to O'Grady his charge, which is home bred, will be kept to this grade for the time-being as he is learning all the time and can add to this success.

Darragh O'Keeffe went on to complete a riding double when he joined forces with Toomevara’s Ray Hackett to land the second division of the two-mile and three 74-93 handicap chase with Stormy Master.

Well supported, the seven-year-old was having his first run in handicap company. He was never too far out of his ground before hitting the front at the second last and responding well to the urgings of his rider, landed the spoils by a length from Capture The Drama.

Owned by the trainers’ father Liam, the winner had decent form over hurdles and if anything looks better over fences. His jumping was good in the main and he obviously likes good ground, so he is one to keep on the right side of for the summer months.

John Ryan has his horses in sparkling order, and he added to his tally when Fairyhill Run ran out an impressive winner of the extended two mile and six beginners chase.

Taking plenty of money out of the ring, the daughter of Mahler was always at the head of affairs before moving clear early in the straight and extending her advantage all the way to the line where she had nine and a half lengths to spare over Fill The Tank.

This was a very good performance by the six-year-old who was having just her second start over fences. Although she won once over hurdles, she had some fine efforts in defeat and the way she took the field apart from early on suggests that she may be more effective over the larger obstacles.

The other beginners chase on the card was over two mile and three furlongs and it went the way of the long odds favourite Antey from then Willie Mullins stable.

A winner on the level in his native France, the eight-year-old also has a couple of hurdle victories to his credit since joining the Mullins team but he has taken his time to open his account ever fences. This looked a fairly straightforward opportunity him to at last shed his maiden tag over the major obstacles and so it proved.

Jockey Brian Hayes set out his stall early on as he sent Antey into the lead and he never saw another rival as passed the post five and a half lengths clear or Hazran.

In his post-race comments, Hayes revealed this victory will help give the horse confidence. The good ground was also a big help and he might well run up a sequence over the summer months.

Balancing the books difficult at Tipperary

Liberally sprinkled with long priced winners, Tipperary's meeting on Thursday was a nightmare for punters but it produced one or two horses that we might be hearing more about in the future.

I have particularly in mind Slip Of The Tongue who comfortably took the opening four-year-old maiden hurdle at the expense of the odds-on Willie Mullins trained favourite Tax For Max at odds of 33/1.

The latter, who brought strong Grade 3 and Triumph Hurdle form into the race, looked a penalty kick but he had no answer when Mark Walsh aboard Slip Of The Tongue threw down the gauntlet after the second last flight and surged clear to score readily by four and a half lengths.

A good-looking son of Flemensfirth the winner was bred by the trainers’ parents Noeleen and Christy Roche and is owned by JP McManus. Roche told me that this horse could be anything, he was worried about his lack of experience, but he performed like an old timer. The trainer will consult with JP and racing manager Frank Berry about future plans but he is certainly one for the notebook.

Although Dark Voyager gave punters some respite when he justified favouritism in the second division of the four-year-old maiden hurdle, it was short lived as up popped Present Road to take the first division of the mare’s maiden hurdle at 40/1 and so it continued with long priced winners for the rest of the meeting which meant the bookies were smiling again.

1-2 for Bolger in Irish 2000 Guineas

Fresh from saddling Poetic Flare to take the English 2000 Guineas, Jim Bolger returned home for the Irish equivalent and went one better when capturing the first two places as Mac Swiney defeated the gallant Poetic Flare in a pulsating finish to record is first victory in the race.

It was a master training performance as Mac Swiney was side-lined with a nasal discharge for more than a week, and Poetic Flare went to France the previous Sunday for the French 2000 Guineas, in which he had no luck in running. It was a brave decision to pull him out again but it just shows how well Bolger knows his horses.

Rory Cleary bounced Mac Swiney out of stalls to make the running. One by one he repelled every challenge until Poetic Flare arrived on the scene a furlong or so out. As they flashed past the line it was impossible to tell with the naked eye which horse had won but the camera gave the verdict to Mac Swiney by a short head.

Bookmaker reaction was swift with Mac Swiney tightening from 20/1 into 6/1 for the Epsom Derby, which is likely to be his next port of call. One has to admire the durability of Poetic Flare and Bolger subsequently revealed that the St James' Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot is he target for his charge.

The race was a triumph for Jim Bolger in more ways than one as both colts are home bred and not only that, but he also trained both their sires to achieve Classic success.

Anything that Jim Bolger can do so can his former pupil Aidan O'Brien when he also captured the first two places in Sunday’s 1000 Guineas when Empress Josephine swooped late to collar Joan Of Arc.

The latter and No Speak Alexander set the pace and appeared to have the race to themselves at the furlong marker until super sub Shamie Heffernan pounced on Empress Josephine in the last stride. To her credit No Speak Alexander kept on, gaining third placed money, a length further back. All three are very smart fillies and their futures will be followed with interest.