Joseph O'Brien after winning on Falkirk © Photo Healy Racing
Flat racing was back at Ballinrobe following track alterations and Aidan O'Brien's Falkirk got off the mark at the fourth attempt in the Vaughan Shoes Maiden.< Pirate Cove led the field for much of the race, and Joseph O'Brien had to drive the 5-4 favourite hard to get on top.
Once in the lead, though, he stayed on really well, eventually coming home a length and a half in front of the fast-finishing Dancingwithangels < Bog War romped to an easy victory in the Breaffy House Resort Handicap.
Liam Cusack's 6-1 chance was always to the fore and after hitting the front before the home turn, he scooted clear under Leigh Roche, who was able to relax before the finish and still beat House Limit by five and a half lengths.
Jim Dreaper's Santo Romano (4-1) produced a strong late surge under Sean Corby to deny Keyboard Melody by half a length in the Burleigh Accountants Handicap.< Shutter Island landed the richest race on the card, the E. P. S. Pumps Handicap Hurdle.
Charles O'Brien's 7-2 chance had ground to make up on favourite Lindenhurst approaching the last, but the leader put in a slightly slow leap and Shutter Island made no mistake, running on well for Mark Walsh to win by half a length.< Urtheoneiwant proved too strong for hot favourite Storm Away in the Costello McDermott Mares Maiden Hurdle.
John Byrne's charge was always at the head of affairs and Davy Condon tried to give Storm Away the slip on the home turn.
Davy Russell looked to have that move covered entering the straight, but Urtheoneiwant found plenty after the last to keep her at bay and give her trainer his first win since 1993.< Curragh Golan (12-1) may not be the most consistent, but he is hard to stop when everything falls right and he struck nicely for Paul Townend in the Broderick's Electrical Handicap Hurdle.
