Trainer Eric McNamara, fresh from a hugely successful 05/06 season, saddled his first winner of the new season when his Mareoflot ran out the narrow winner of the Two Mile House Handicap Chase at Punchestown today.
Ridden by Davy Condon, the Icon Syndicate-owned mare tracked the leaders, moved through to lead at the second last, was headed at the final fence but rallied well to deny Permiya by half a length.
Afterwards, McNamara reported 'she's a tough mare but didn't handle the tacky ground at Killarney last time out.'
He added 'she loves that fast ground and will be kept going over the summer.'
The footwear family were on the mark in the Tote Sports Lounge Handicap Hurdle when Slippers Madden gave it socks to win on Ursumman for his father Boots Madden.
The win came as some compensation to the trainer who had earlier lost his Not Available, who was put down following an injury in the opening race.
An understandably disappointed Madden later reported 'Not Available had worked all-over Ursumman the other day and I was even a little worried that Ursumman may not have been in top form.'
He added 'Ursumman may be kept over hurdles and may have one run over fences before going for the Galway Plate.'
Michael O'Brien's Silent Jo, a son of world leading earning stallion Sunday Silence, won division two of the Irish Form Book 30th Anniversary Maiden Hurdle.
O'Brien was represented by assistant Denis Cullen who reported 'that was his first real test as he hadn't done a whole lot at home. He'll go for a winners of one now and might go to Galway.'
The opening The Sheilas Cottage Mares Maiden Hurdle went to Peter Casey's Palace Star, under Denis O'Regan.
The daughter of Desert Style, rated 85 on the Flat, raced prominently throughout, was well headed on the approach to the final flight by Woman Of Substance but rallied well to regain the lead on the run-in to score by one length.
Afterwards, Casey reported 'she had more speed than most of those but I had a small doubt about her stamina.'
He added 'she loves good ground and will probably go to the Galway Festival.'
Thomond O'Mara's Freud Bacon won at his first start over hurdles in the Irish Form Book 30th Anniversary Maiden Hurdle (division 1), under Willie Slattery.
Afterwards, O'Mara reported 'we bought him at the horses-in-training sale last year for E23,000 and he'll go for a winners' race next before hopefully going to Galway.'
Willie Mullins' Snowy Morning won the www.punchestown.com Maiden Hurdle under Ruby Walsh while Jessica Harrington's Gemini Lucy, a close relative of Jodami, jumped well to win the beginners chase, under Tommy Treacy.
