Jessica Harrington and Fran Berry combined to take the opening Kilkenny Maiden with Start From Scratch at Gowran Park yesterday. Sporting the cololurs of his Castledermot breeder, Start From Scratch led from three furlongs out to beat the staying-on Colourfast by a short head.
Moone-based Harrington later went on to complete a double as Mr Wong, a winner on the flat at Tipperary last Thursday, repelled Four On The Trot by a length and a half with Robbie Power in the Ballyshaun Handicap Hurdle.
Paul Carberry suffered a suspected sprainked ankle following his third last flight fall from Link Hill in this event.
John Oxx appears to have a decent animal on his hands in the shape of Dabousiya, which streaked home by three and a half lengths with Johnny Murtagh in the Ballylinch Stud European Breeders Fund 2-Year-Old Fillies Maiden.
Ger Lyons was on the mark when Bermaho spreadeagled the opposition with Wayne Smith in the Thomastown Nursery and the Trim-domiciled handler predicted that the Desert Story-sired colt will win the first three-year-old hurdle next year.
Norman Williamson, who is now based full-time in Ireland, was seen to purposefully good effect when guiding the Leonard Whitmore-trained Tar King to a smooth victory over Uncle Arthur in the Porters Saddlery Handicap Hurdle. Sadly, Tar King returned lame.
The Donie Hassett-trained Blue Russian recorded his second career success when getting up in the dying strides to deny Teach A Cheili in the Derrinstown Stud Apprentice Handicap. Blue Russian was ridden by Pat McDonald, who is apprenticed to Charles O'Brien, and this was the Wexford-born 20-year-old's second career winner.
Eoin Doyle saddled his first winner when Northern Mill came home as she wished with Willie Slattery in the closing Young Irelands Maiden Hurdle.
