Benwilt Breeze opened his account with ease in the Finches Orange Auction Maiden at Ballinrobe tonight to earn a crack at the Goffs Sales race at the Curragh.
The even-money favourite hit the front two furlongs out under Pat Cosgrave to score by three-lengths over Kestrel Cross.
Trainer Ger Lyons, who had been concerned about the firm ground for the son of Mujadil beforehand, revealed that the colt will now be aimed at the Goffs Challenge race at the Curragh at the end of June providing he comes out of the race okay.
Colm O'Donoghue employed similar riding tactics in the Flannery's Bar & Restaurant Handicap when hitting the front inside the two marker aboard No Frontier (8/1) to score by two-and-a-half lengths for trainer Tom Hogan.
Hogan received a sting in the tail, however, when he was fined 130 euro for the late arrival of the winner in the parade ring. The horse also arrived without cheekpieces, which were subsequently fitted.
Niall McCullagh produced Persian Return with another well-timed challenge to take the Supermac's Ballinrobe & Claremorris Handicap by a length from Glitter And Glory.
McCullagh was breaking his duck for trainer Pat Martin aboard the 7 to 1 shot, who was ridden to lead rounding the home turn.
Babble On gave owner Keith Griffin his first National Hunt winner when taking the Sheridan Electric Castlebar Maiden Hurdle for trainer Seamus Fahey.
Val O'Brien's Heartstopper got the better of the front-running Clochmhaoil Castle to score by a length in the Carney's Bar Handicap Hurdle while Present Abbey opened her account over fences in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Beginners Chase.
