The opening three-year-old hurdle of the season proved a dramatic affair, with the well-backed favourite Askthejudge running out through the wing at the third last when travelling strongly in the lead.
The Frank Ennis-trained gelding was ridden close to the pace throughout by Garrett Cotter, but inexplicably jumped through the inner railing into the infield of the course. This left Ciara's Delight in front, and she kept on under pressure for claimer Adrian Lane to beat Grange Clare by a length and a half.
Incidentally, Ennis was severely cautioned for using the racecourse as a schooling ground after his other runner Emlagher stayed on to finish eighth. However jockey Mark Sullivan was given a four days suspension (August 15-18) for making insufficient effort.
'She will continue to mix it between hurdles and the Flat, but her future is as a jumper. She loves an ease in the ground, and has taken a bit of time to come to herself,' said successful trainer Michael Halford, who acknowledged that fortune was on his side.
John Oxx, who sent out four winners at the two bank holiday meetings on Monday, was again to the fore when successful with the John Murtagh-ridden pair White Queen and Czaritza.
White Queen, sporting the colours of the late Lord Weinstock and disappointing over two miles at Galway last week, needed a strong drive from Murtagh in the O'Gara Royal Hotel Handicap. Peace Leader loomed alongside at the two furlong pole, but the front-running favourite dug deep to prevail by three quarters of a length. 'Maybe it was the trip or just inexperience that she ran poorly at Galway, and she will go for another handicap at around this trip,' said Oxx.
Murtagh had a much easier time on Czaritza in the Connacht Gold Maiden, stretching clear in the closing stages to beat Eagle Thyme by a very easy four and a half lengths. 'She is a nice filly, and was entitled to win there. Hopefully she can go on from here, and appears suited by ten furlongs,' said Oxx.
Ahead Of The Posse, the only horse currently in training with Tipperary permit holder Eddie Hayden, made virtually all and stayed on gamely under Neil Mulholland to hold off Lantern Leader by a head in the three miles Dermot Hughes Toyota Car Sales Handicap Hurdle. 'He is very consistent, but we kept getting balloted out of three miles races. He really needs this trip,' said Hayden.
The photo-finish camera was needed to separate Peru Girl and the Barney Curley-trained uneasy favourite Cristoforo in the Sherry Fitzgerald P. Burke Auctioneers Handicap, with the former gaining a short-head verdict under champion apprentice Tadhg O'Shea. 'She can be a bit headstrong, and was not quite getting home over longer trips. The strong pace here suited her well,' said trainer Pat Martin.
Dermot Weld and Pat Smullen, who suffered a number of reverses at Galway last week, got back on the winning trail when Perfect Touch stretched clear in the closing stages to beat Sweet Soul Music by three and a half lengths in the seven furlongs maiden.
Alan Magee
