Trainer Niall Madden recorded his first training double at Tramore today where the Naas based handler landed the two mile handicap hurdle with Peruge and the Victoria House/Vic Cafi Handicap with Team Allstar.
The opening leg of the double was a real family success with Madden's son (of the same name) partnered Peruge, owned by the trainer's wife Patricia Madden, to a one and a half length success in the Murphy's Bar Handicap Hurdle.
The younger Madden excelled on the previous course and distance winner, riding a patient race before forcing the winner through on the rail to lead before the final flight.
Madden Snr later commented 'he was unlucky at Cork recently when hampered by a falling horse. He's very genuine and will be kept going in this sort of race.'
Team Allstar completed the double in the hands of Fran Berry in division one of the 1m4f handicap. A runaway winner at Roscommon recently, Team Allstar defied a 15lb rise here, while the winning trainer mentioned that the gelding 'will mix it between Flat and hurdle handicaps over the Summer.'
The second division of the 1m4f handicap went to Lisselan Fairways, a second winner for his trainer Marcus Callaghan. Described by his handler as 'a rogue through and through', Lisselan Fairways looks set for a fair hike in the weights before his next outing, judging by the ease of his seven length win.
The opening 2m4f maiden hurdle was won by the Gerry Keane trained Ballygar Glin ridden by underrated jockey Shane McCann. Keane described the well backed winner (6/4 - 9/10 favourite) as 'a tough filly who loves fast ground. She'll go for a winners race now.'
Tartan Khan, named after his owner's 1975 English Derby winning greyhound, provided Nenagh farmer Patsy Kelly with a win in the Connolly's Bar Maiden Hurdle. Ridden by top rider Davy Russell, Tartan Khan made all for a four and a half length success.
Winning trainer Pat Doyle later mentioned 'he'll go straight over fences now because he jumps fences very well. He loves this type of ground and is a real Summer horse.'
There was a sad conclusion to the 2m6f handicap hurdle when runner-up Majestic Mariner died of a heart attack following his short head defeat to Koln Stars.
The incident occurred in the parade ring shortly after the race when the thirteen year old collapsed and subsequently died. Koln Stars trainer Eric Larkin did mention 'it's sad Majestic Mariner died as John O'Shea trains near me.' He added 'that is only my second winner and, at present, he's my only horse in training although I've just installed a new gallop and a six-horse walker!'
Kevin Prendergast's Dazzling Dancer justified odds of 8/11 when landing the 1m4f maiden in Lady O'Reilly's colours.
The concluding 1m6f (50-70) handicap saw Dash Of Grey maintain a very strong gallop to make all under ten pound claimer Darren O'Shea.
Thomas Weekes.
