Review BALLINROBE 11th Aug Pierse Hurdle hero Barker made an encouraging debut over fences when finishing second to The Last Hurrah at Ballinrobe.Timmy Murphy's mount lost nothing in defeat, however, having travelled well and jumped fluently throughout the Mulholland Bookmakers Beginners Chase.Always close to the pace initiated by Berkerys Treasure, James Barrett's seven-year-old ghosted ominously towards the head of affairs and looked set fair for victory.But Jessica Harrington's 7-1 winner, also making his fencing bow, came with a withering late challenge to take the lead two out and seize the day by three-quarters of a length.Kaitlins Joy (12-1) flew from the clouds to deny Lara Celeb a hat-trick in the Costello McDermott Handicap.Declan McDonogh attempted to make all on the evens favourite and looked to have the race sewn up as he led into the final furlong, but the drama was about to unfold.As the filly began to run out of petrol with her 5lb penalty, Seamus Heffernan conjured a terrific run from the Patrick Martin-trained winner, who grabbed the prize by a short head in the shadow of the post.It was a quick double for Heffernan, who was hard at work on All Diamonds in the final stages of the Michael Cawe Suspended Ceilings Claiming Race and got up close home on the 5-1 shot.Coral Creek was always up with the pace and took the lead with a furlong to run, but All Diamonds was staying on well down the outside and Michael Cunningham's seven-year-old forged ahead in the last 50 yards to score by a neck.Hadarama made every yard of the running to claim the Pierse Group Handicap.The John Oxx-trained three-year-old was afforded a cosy lead from the outset and soon put his rivals to the sword to collect by an easy 13 lengths.Royal Approval supplemented Sunday's win over timber at Downpatrick with a facile triumph on the level in the Connolly's Audi Handicap.Shane Foley's mount was sent on his way from off the home turn and maintained a strong gallop to defeat Torina by 12 lengths.© www.irish-racing.com
