The John Oxx trained Aliyshan easily landed the opening mile and a half maiden when making all under Johnny Murtagh to turn around form with the second placed Coup De Chance. Both had met in Naas previously with Oxx's filly finishing well behind third placed Coup De Chance.
Oxx's representative 'Slim' O'Neill mentioned that Aliyshan 'is a big filly who stays well and likes soft ground.' Aliyshan is a daughter of leading stallion Darshaan and is from the family of Alamshar.
Liam Gleeson (father of RTE's racing pundit Brian) from Ardmore, Co. Waterford entered the winner's enclosure after his Flexible Action finished well to win the Keredern Maiden (division two). Trainer John Kiely is now aiming Flexible Action at the GPT Handicap in Galway, while Kiely also reported that his inmate has also schooled well over hurdles.
Miss Devious, racing from eight pounds out of the handicap, held the challenge of Millenium Lilly by a fast diminishing head in the mile and half handicap. Depending on how the handicapper treats the winner, the Frank Ennis trained filly will continue in flat handicaps, while she may also revert to hurdling in the coming months.
Ballinrobe trainer Michael Flannery has his string in fine form and followed up recent wins when Belene Boy stayed on strongly all the way to the line to defeat Macs Best by twenty lengths in the Elphin Opportunity H'cap Hurdle (division one).
The second division of the Elphin Opportunity H'cap Hurdle was won by the father-son combination of Tucker (trainer) and Ross (jockey) Geraghty when Leaders Way led cose home to beat Jordans Lad by a half length. Jockey Gary Hutchinson, rider of Jordans Lad, received a two day suspension for using his whip with excessive frequency.
