The Scourge is driven out by Chris Hayes© Photo Healy Racing
Kevin Prendergast enjoyed a double at Down Royal, culminating in The Scourge s success in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden.
Chris Hayes stuck to the rail on the 9-1 chance as he rounded the home turn in front, and though favourite Chief Suspect was a constant threat close home, The Scourge was half a length up at the line.< Wee Monster (3-1) responded to Gary Halpin's every call to run out a gutsy winner of the Mourne Seafood Bar Dublin Belfast Dundrum Claiming Race to get the ball rolling for Prendergast.
Pat Smullen bagged a double of his own, with Notable Graduate justifying 3-1 favouritism in the ATTHERACES Ulster Cesarewitch Handicap.
Dermot Weld's runner did not appear to be travelling smoothly from a long way out, but Smullen coaxed him into position two furlongs out and he strode on close home to leave Massini's Trap behind.
Smullen's double started when Kasbah got off the mark in good style when taking the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden.
Johnny Murtagh's colt was sent off the 1-4 favourite on the back of some decent runs in defeat, and he proved far too speedy, stretching clear over a furlong out before scoring by three and a quarter lengths from the fast-finishing Ostatnia < Lady Mandeville produced a strong finish to get the better of Liffey View in a thrilling finish to the Charles Hurst Premium Nursery Handicap.
Seamie Heffernan drove the Ado McGuiness-trained 4-1 chance into the lead close home and though Liffey View almost got on terms, she was half a length down at the line.< Al Fahidi travelled like the winner of the Charles Hurst Premium Handicap entering the home straight, but Fran Berry had to get serious on the 4-1 favourite to fend off the late surge of Athassel eventually scoring by three-quarters of a length.
The veteran 11-year-old Mahrajaan (9-2) landed the Charles Hurst Premium Apprentice Handicap for jockey Tom Madden and trainer Charles Byrnes.
