Our Conor © Photo Healy Racing
Leading Champion Hurdle fancy Our Conor opened his new campaign with fourth place behind Ancient Sands in the Woodlands 100 Club October Handicap on the Flat at Naas.
Dessie Hughes's charge was sent off the 5-2 favourite and followed the eventual winner through to make his challenge in the final quarter-mile, but he could not find the necessary kick.
Ancient Sands (10-1), ridden by top apprentice Connor King for Joanna Morgan, burst clear going to the final furlong but was being closed down by Stony Grey at the end and held on by a head to complete a four-timer.< Wannabe Better won at Listed level for the second time when she was produced down the outside in the final furlong by Wayne Lordan to take the feature Clodovil EBF Garnet Stakes.
No match for Group One fillies in the Matron Stakes, Tommy Stack's three-year-old (10-1) scored by two and a half lengths from Mizzava who stumbled badly early on and did well to finish so close.
The well-regarded Sniper (8-1) has been tried in Group One company twice this season without making an impact, but Ger Lyons' colt got off the mark when causing an upset in the Tifrums EBF (C & G) Maiden.
Colin Keane sent him on from the start and though he looked to have the race in the bag a furlong out, he was hanging on at the finish as 2-7 favourite Johann Strauss closed rapidly to within a neck.
Dermot Weld's 10-1 shot Vote Often looked potentially smart in the Fast Company EBF Fillies Maiden as she raced prominently and stretched clear in the final furlong to win by four and a quarter lengths under Pat Smullen.
Fran Berry travelled sweetly up to the leaders from the rear on top-weight Hidden Oasis (15-8 favourite) in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Birdcatcher Premier Nursery and David Wachman's juvenile led close home to score by half a length.
