Jim Gorman enjoyed a welcome change of fortune when saddling Appleblossom Pearl to take the seven furlongs maiden at the mid-western venue.
The Curragh trainer, recording his first win of the season after a frustrating sequence of placings, said, 'It's a relief after about 20 placed horses this year.'
The well-bred Peintre Celebre filly, carrying the famous Ridgewood Pearl colours of Anne Coughlan, traveled well but needed a strong drive from Wayne Lordan in the closing stages to just deny Crooked Throw.
'Wayne said she hated the softer ground, and she probably needs to go up a bit in trip as well,' added Gorman.
A slipped saddle proved no obstacle to An Tadh and Tadgh O'Shea as the former dual champion apprentice moved onto the 20 winner mark for the campaign in the juvenile auction maiden.
The saddle slipped forward on the Ger Lyons-trained colt in the back straight but he quicked up nicely over a furlong out to beat Mama Angela by a cosy two lengths.
'He's got a real good pedigree but cost only 20,000, and we went for an auction maiden to avoid the Ballydoyle horses. He's easy to train and may go for a nursery at Galway,' said Lyons, now on the 15 winner mark this year.
Homegrown caused a 16/1 shock under Seamus Heffernan in the featured seven furlongs handicap, coming through in the final 100 yards to beat Indian's Feather by a neck.
'That's a nice surprise for me, and the shorter trip seemed to suit. She's in a 5f handicap at Tipperary on Sunday, and I'll see how she is later in the week,' said Pat Tallis, who has four in training near Freshford, Co. Kilkenny.
The Tote sponsored all three hurdle races on the card and Luxi River made all for Barry Cash in the two miles handicap, unchallenged on the final circuit to beat Society Time by 10L.
The 3m handicap developed into a duel between Workandturn and the patiently-ridden favourite Noleens Moon, with the former finding plenty for Tom Ryan on the run-in to score by two lengths.
Ryan's elder brother, the Tuam-based trainer David, said, 'I thought he couldn't get beat at Tipperary last week but the beginners chase was called off. He's got plenty of options and we might keep him now for Galway.'
Manesbil stepped up considerably on her two previous outings to land the 2m4f maiden hurdle, driven clear of the flattering French Appeal by Gary Hutchinson from the last for a 4L success.
Louisa Williams partnered her 11th winner when Rory's Sister was prominent throughout to beat Rock Back by three lengths in the ladies bumper.
Alan Magee
