The ground was testing on the opening evening of the two day July meeting at Ballinrobe where reigning champion Pat Smullen continued his fine recent run when successful aboard Nonchalant in the Judy O'Rourke Memorial Handicap.
The Frances Crowley-trained gelding was well supported from 5/2 down to 2/1 favourite in the nine furlongs event, but only prevailed by half a length after a dour battle with Gwapa in the straight. Smullen is now just three behind John Murtagh on the 39 winner mark in the jockeys championship.
There was persistent heavy rain throughout the evening, but it proved no problem for Shes Sharp, who provided Wexford permit holder Richie Rath with his first success under rules in the Smyths Toys Maiden Hurdle. John Cullen's mount held off Harvest Time by half a length.
River Hopper also relished the soft ground to take the Derrinstown Stud Apprentice Handicap in convincing fashion under Catherine Gannon.
The Pat Martin-trained gelding stretched clear from the furlong pole to beat Kenny's Pet by seven lengths, and the Maynooth handler said: 'He has been really consistent, and deserved that. We will probably give him a break now as he has been kept busy in the past few weeks'.
The Eddie Ahern-ridden Kesh Kumay maintained Curragh trainer Michael Grassick's fine record at this venue when heading the front-running Tate Tirol inside the final furlong to score by a length in the Blue Thunder Fast Foods Claremorris Maiden.
Declan McDonogh partnered his tenth winner of the season when Polish Legion showed good speed to land the Finches Orange Handicap. Annette McMahon's charge headed Wow off the home turn, and kept on well to beat Honeyschoice by a length and a half.
'He likes it here as he also won at Ballinrobe last year, and the cut in the ground was a help', said Ms McMahon.
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