Charles O'Brien saddled his first winner of the year when the front-running Chiming opened her account in the Glenvale Maiden at Tipperary yesterday afternoon.
The Danehill filly, sporting the dark blue silks of Sue Magnier, kept on well inside the final quarter mile for Michael Kinane to beat Mayara by two lengths. 'She had the form to win there, and we will try to get some black type for her', said O'Brien.
Kinane was completing a double having earlier gained a narrow success aboard Hawk Wing in the seven furlong EBF Maiden. The Woodman newcomer, strongly supported from 4/7 to 2/7, ran green before getting up virtually on the line to pip Smuggler's Song, who dead-heated with Martin Gunne for the runner-up spot.
Paul Carberry was also in double form when successfully partnering the trail blazing chasers Lord Grey and Young Whack. Lord Grey jumped well on his chasing debut in the two mile beginners race, and was eased right down in the closing stages to beat Ceannairceach by two and a half lengths. 'Chasing was always going to be his game, and he will probably go now for a winners race', said trainer Dermot Kelly.
Young Whack made a number of extravagant leaps en route to a four length verdict over Mill Bank in the Munster Novice Chase.
Monty's Pass, runner-up to Dovaly in the Galway Plate last year, again has the big summer chase as his main target after heading Sparkey Smith on the run-in to take the Ballykisteen Handicap Chase.
'He loves jumping, and was a bit unlucky in the Plate last year as the final two fences had to be by-passed', said trainer Jimmy Mangan.
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