Twenty-three-year old Eoin Doyle, who trains under permit at Mooncoin in county Kilkenny, recorded his biggest success to date since joining the training ranks six months ago when light-weight Northern Mill made every yard a winning one in the Smithwicks Beer Handicap Hurdle yesterday.
Sent off a 12/1 shot, Willie Slattery wasted no time in sending the former Michael Halford-trained mare to the head of affairs and despite flattening the penultimate flight kept up the relentless gallop to hang on for a one length success over Touch Of Love and favourite Mr Wong.
'She was well in at the weights and we knew she would stay galloping,' said a delighted Doyle, who has just six horses riding out presently, ' She cost 19,000 which looks money well spent now and she'll head to the big Gowran Festival next.'
'Write something nice today,' bellowed rider John Murtagh after he dismounted from Alamshar, who was victorious in the opening one-mile maiden. Just twenty-four hours earlier Murtagh didn't enjoy the clearest of runs on Millstreet resulting in the shock defeat of the 2/5 shot but in stark contrast he produced the John Oxx-trained newcomer with a smooth run down the centre of the track to defeat 3m dollar purchase Russia.
Murtagh was originally down to ride stable companion New South Wales but he was taken out (excuse ground conditions) which opened the door for the Meathman to ride the 9/2 chance which proved to be the first Oxx juvenile to make a winning debut this term.
Later the Oxx/Murtagh alliance struck again when Madalyar landed several tidy wagers in the ring when comfortably defeating front-running stable-companion White Queen in the Helena Sheahan Memorial Handicap.
Former Mark Johnston inmate Love sprang a 14/1 surprise (38/1 Tote) when collaring Contradiction close home under Colm O'Donoghue while David Casey and Cloudy Bays came home unchallenged in the Kevin McManus Beginners Chase after Lantern Leader and Paul Carberry parted company when giving chase at the last.
Favourite backers had better luck in the next when Banasan ran out the smooth winner of the maiden hurdle in the hands of Charlie Swan who deputised for Norman Williamson still feeling the effects after Wednesday's big race tumble.
The concluding bumper produced a cracking finish with Arctic Force just holding Ruff Justice under David Roche, brother of Tramore-based winning trainer Paul.
