15l victory for Serenity Grove

Davy Russell got off the mark, admitting to a “lovely feeling”, when Chemical Energy dotted up to win by 11 lengths in the Bar One Racing Double The Odds at Navan on Saturday for trainer Gordon Elliott, who recorded a treble on the day.

Darragh O’Keeffe was always in control in the Franco Hughes Bookmaker Handicap Hurdle at Downpatrick on Friday as the Henry de Bromhead-trained Serenity Grove travelled powerfully and jumped well in the course of his facile triumph, with 15 lengths back to The Greek, who was ridden by Davy Russell on the Youghal man’s first ride back after an 11-months absence with injury. The 15-length margin slightly flattering as a result of a dreadful mistake by his nearest pursuer. Doneraile’s O’Keeffe was always in control however, as his partner travelled powerfully and jumped well in the course of his facile triumph.

Willyouwalkwithme made all under Shane Fitzgerald to win the Northern Ireland On Course Bookmakers Association.co.uk Handicap Hurdle for owner/ trainer Harry Smyth, who turns 85 in a couple of weeks. The six-year-old previous course and distance winner benefited from a beautifully-judged ride by Fitzgerald and repelled challengers between the last two flights, before galloping to a four-and-a-halflength victory.

It was Aidan O’Brien who landed the opener at Dundalk on Friday night, Seamie Heffernan in the saddle on even-money favourite Hms Endeavour, who showed plenty of good early pace and a resolute attitude to land the odds in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Race. Joe Doyle also steered a welcome winner on the Joseph Murray-trained Never Back Down, who was landing his first triumph on Irish soil in the first division of the Irishinjuredjockeys.com Handicap, having been successful four times across the water.

Brian Hayes has enjoyed a fruitful summer and is riding at a career-high strike rate of winners to date, adding to his tally as 11-year-old Diggin Deep lived up to his name by answering jockey the rider’s every call to record a first ever victory over fences, in the twoand-a-half-mile Owenmore Handicap Chase by a neck for trainer Paul Fahey at Sligo last Wednesday week.

John Ryan marked what has been a spectacular season to date with his first-ever four-timer, registered at the Sligo meet. Kitty Galore got proceedings under way by landing a gamble in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares’ Beginners’ Chase under Sean O’Keeffe, who went on to complete a treble. Rippon Lodge followed up immediately in the Leo McMorrow Memorial Novice Handicap Chase when skipping clear in response to Moneygall pilot, Philip Donovan’s guidance. It was Bryan Cooper doing the steering when Grange Walk made it three from three in the Frank O’Beirne Handicap Chase before O’Keeffe returned to the plate on Father Jed in the concluding Riverstown Handicap Chase, the ten-year-old having been left in front at the last by the fall of odds-on favourite Favori Logique.

Denis O’Regan had the distinction of providing Gordon Elliott with his first winner since returning from a six-month suspension, Fancy Foundations skipping clear after the last in the Templehouse Lake Chase to justify even-money favouritism by an easy four lengths.

River Thames delivered a snug neck victory in the seven-furlong BetVictor Supporting Irish Racing Maiden at Punchestown on Tuesday week last for Upton jockey Wayne Lordan. A €325,000 purchase as a yearling, the son of Churchill was ridden to challenge by Wayne Lordan over a furlong out, taking it up 100 yards out and holding off Aidan O’Brien stablemate Changingoftheguard. Lordan went on to complete a double when linking up with the boss’s son, Joseph.

UPCOMING FIXTURES

Listowel - Thursday, September 23 (First Race 1.40pm); Dundalk – Friday, September 24 (First Race 4.45pm); Listowel – Friday, September 24 (First Race 1.40pm); Listowel – Saturday, September 25 (First Race 1.10pm); Curragh – Saturday, September 25 (First Race 1.25pm); Curragh – Sunday, September 26 (First Race 1.25pm).