Jim Bolger is enjoying a purple patch at the moment and the Co Carlow trainer sent out Villa Carlotta to land the featured European Breeders Fund Fillies Stakes at Cork last night. A former Listed winner in Italy for John Dunlop, the Kevin Manning-ridden Villa Carlotta repelled Kiltubber by two lengths.
Willie Mullins' Heezapistol posted his fourrth career success when making practically all with Jim Bolger's apprentice Sean Cleary in the Mourne Abbey Handicap.
Proceedings commenced with last season's champion apprentice Tadhg O'Shea guiding the well-supported Commoya to victory for Edward Butler in the opening Macroom Maiden whilst Mick Kinane teamed up with Declan Gillespie to land the Euopean Breeders Fund Fillies Handicap with Twiggy's Sister.
The Michael Hourigan-trained Discerning Air, who is in-foal to the now-deceased Supreme Leader, posted her sixth career success when repelling She's Sharp with Barry Geraghty in the Boru Vodka Mares Novice Chase and the '99/00 champion then combined with Jim Dreaper to take the Bweeng Mountain Beginners Chase with Christmas Crackle.
The Peter Casey-ridden Same Old Story triumphed from I Will Try for Stamullen trainer Tom McCourt in the European Breeders Fund Premier N.H. Fillies Bumper and Dangerousdanmagru returned to the winners enclosure with Keith Hadnett in the closing Boru Vodka Handicap Hurdle.
