David Casey moved onto the 45 winner mark for the season when partnered his third double in the space of just six days when successful aboard Man On The Nile and Heroic in the opening two races.
Man On The Nile was driven clear after the last in the juvenile maiden hurdle to beat Golden Triangle by two and a half lengths, and Casey commented, 'He jumped well and is tough.'
Heroic has suffered his fair share of injury trouble having broken down twice in the past but Charlie Swan's charge showed deep reserves of stamina when landing the three miles beginners chase. After the seven-year-old gelding led three out and kept on gamely to beat Mullacash by six lengths, Swan said, 'He gets the trip well and, if the ground stays soft, we'll keep him going.'
Jim took full advantage of his rivals errors to land the two and a quarter miles beginners chase under Garrett Cotter. The well-backed evens favourite Pietro Vannucci blundered four out, while John James fell when leading two out and runner-up Liscannor Lad didn't help his cause with a mistake at the last.
Robert Power took heavy falls in both of the beginners chases, and following his second tumble was stood down for seven days and taken to Blanchardstown Hospital for examination on his shoulder.
'He's more a chaser in time than a hurdler and should get two and a half miles,' said trainer Noel Meade after the giant-sized First Diploma justified good support in the two miles maiden hurdle. Ian Power's mount quickened clear approaching the final flight and, despite running about a bit on the run-in, beat Twist 'N Shout by four lengths.
Strife Leader proved an easy winner of the novice handicap hurdle, travellling smoothly under Conor O'Dwyer to lead between the final two flights for a comfortable two lengths verdict over Polly's Joy.
Willoughby Doyle benefited from a determined drive by Liz Doyle in the three miles handicap hurdle, with Tony Black's charge holding on by three quarters of a length from Ear To The Ground. 'He's a half-brother to Nil Desperandum, and was suited by the cut in the ground,' said Black, who has ten in training near Bunclody.
Alan Magee
