Trainer Michael Halford recorded a double at Tipperary today, the opening leg providing 20 year old Frances Kelly with her first career winner.
Kelly, from Kildare town, partnered 5/1 favourite Faynita to a head win in the Derrinstown Stud Apprentice Handicap.
Riding in her eighth race, Kelly and Faynita moved through to lead a furlong and a half out, and although soon joined, rallied well to deny Tango Step.
Halford later reported 'Faynita was due a turn and found it tough racing against older horses, as a three year old, last year.'
He added 'Frances is back working with me since last year having spent four years with me before moving to Charlie Swan. She strengthened up riding jump horses there and I'm delighted for her.'
An hour later Halford's Nastrelli, a half brother to Namid, ran out an easy winner of the Kop Maiden, under Johnny Murtagh.
Nastrelli is highly regarded by Halford, who reported 'there should be plenty more to come from this colt who will now either contest a winners' race or may be stepped up to blacktype company.'
He added 'he is an ex-Michael Stoute horse who is a bit babyish at home. He'll improve from this and will be better again on better ground.'
Trainer Dermot Weld continued his good start to the new Flat season and he produced Queen Of Rap in top form to made a winning debut in the Arakan @ Ballyhane Stud EBF Fillies Maiden.
Although mentioning that most of his horses are 'fit and forward', Weld did mention that 'most of my horses will be seeing the more scenic tracks of Ireland' in search of winners.
Queen Of Rap, a daughter of Alhaarth, ran out an easy winner under Pat Smullen, leading two furlongs out before easily winning by six lengths.
Weld later reported 'Queen Of Rap goes well and is entitled to step up to Listed class in a few weeks time. She did that nicely and is very effective on heavy ground.'
Curragh trainer Edgar Byrne sprang a 20/1 (55/1 on Tote) surprise when his Dersean landed the Easter Bonnet Handicap under Kevin Manning.
Byrne later explained 'Dersean is a lovely horse who had a few problems last year. He took time to mature but should go on from this.'
The opening Ballyhane Stud EBF Maiden went to Kevin Prendergast's Twenty Questions, under Declan McDonogh.
Twenty Questions, a first winner for his first season stallion Kyllachy, tracked the leaders and moved through to lead a furlong out, holding on for a length and a half success, despite drifting left in the closing stages.
Afterwards, winning owner Lady O'Reilly mentioned 'Twenty Questions is from a lovely family and was bought at Doncaster last year.'
O'Reilly's racing manager James Kelly added 'Twenty Questions will go for a Listed Race at The Curragh on May 1 while Kevin (Prendergast) thinks he has the best team of two year olds ever this year.'
Pat Morris' Lady Orpen was a very easy winner of the www.tipperary .ie Race, under Rory Cleary.
Lady Orpen, a winner last time out at Lingfield, was always prominent, led a furlong and a half out, before easing accounting for Cliffs Of Duneen by half a length.
