Conor O'Dwyer partnered his initial winner for Paul Nolan by bringing the blinkered Home Force with a well-timed challenge to deny Lisa Baker in the Kiely Gaule Financial Services Handicap Hurdle at Tramore last night. Owned by Briton Val Ward, Home Force struck the front after the final flight to triumph by a length and a half. Nolan's brother James afterwards paid particular tribute to O'Dwyer for his exemplary handling of the six-year-old.
Pat Fahy was credited with his third success at the meeting following the smooth-as-silk victory of the Tommy Treacy-ridden Run Of The Country in the Sonny Power Memorial Handicap Chase. The forthcoming Tralee festival could now feature on Run Of The Country's itinerary.
The Dermot Weld-trained Le Leopard came as he wished with Declan McDonogh in the Noel Cummins SP Bookmaker Maiden. The American-bred Le Leopard actually sports the familiar colours of Lady O'Reilly.
The Dessie Hughes-trained Tipp Top collected the opening WLR FM (Q.R.) Maiden Hurdle. Partnered by Roger Loughran, Tipp Top led from the second last to beat Sioux Nation by a comprehensive twelve lengths in the colours of acclaimed Navan surgeon Fred Kenny.
Jerry O'Dwyer brought his seasonal tally to seven by guiding the Brian Nolan-trained Ilios to victory in the Anglo Irish Bank Handicap. This was actually Ilios' third career success and he could now turn out again at Tipperary on Thursday evening or else at Fairyhouse on Sunday.
Robbie Burke, a former dual champion jockey in Macau, continued his fine run by combining with Jeremy Harley to capture the Snowcream Fresh Milk Claiming Race with Jerez. In all probability, Jerez could now contest another claiming race at Tipperary later on this week.
Alan Crowe, last season's champion rider, was witnessed to magnificent effect by bringing home the Christy Roche-trained Galtee View by a length in the O'Neills Bar Flat Race.
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