Fethard Player leads the field© Photo Healy Racing
< Fethard Player turned in a most authoritative performance to run away with the Eamon Sheridan Opportunity Handicap Hurdle at Ballinrobe.
Beaten only by subsequent winner Big Generator on his previous outing at Tipperary, the Willie Treacy-trained 7-2 market leader cruised up to touch down over the second-last in a narrow lead.
He quickened away from that point and Ian McCarthy didn't have to break too much sweat for him to coast across the line with 13 lengths in hand of Katys Girl < Xsquared carried top weight of 11st 12lb to an 11-length victory in the John Madden & Sons Handicap Hurdle.
The Joanna Morgan-trained 6-1 shot had a couple of pipeopeners on the level since striking at this venue when last seen over obstacles, and he already had matters sewn up when nearest pursuer Illtakeitfromhere crashed out at the final flight.< San Gabriel made a swift return to action for the Mulholland Bookmakers Maiden Hurdle and broke through for a first success.
Sent off the 4-5 favourite in the absence of Cassells Rock, Denis Hogan's four-year-old, who was down the field in a better race at Gowran Park last Saturday, came home six lengths to the good over Effernock Lad
Hogan also did the steering and he doubled up in his capacity as trainer/jockey when Ocean Glandore (12-1) came out on top in a three-way tussle during the closing stages of the Ladies Day At Ballinrobe Maiden.
The Hogan-trained Boherna Lady was sent off favourite for the Audi Ballina Ballinrobe Opportunity Handicap Hurdle (Div 1), but could only manage third behind 28-1 chance Barney King who fought off Vic Approach by half a length.< Leibniz was strongly fancied to back up last week's Down Royal success in the second division but he faded before the turn, with the prize going to long-standing maiden Diamondgeezer Luke (8-1), who made it 41st-time lucky.
