Fran Berry took the riding honours at the well-attended western venue when completing a 62/1 double aboard Caesar's Star and Lost In The Rain.
Experience proved the key in the two-year-old EBF Maiden where Caesar's Star and Jemmy John, both of whom had two previous runs under their belt, dominated the six furlongs event. Berry had Caesar's Star quickly away from her unfavourable wide draw, and Philip Rothwell's charge just held on in an exciting finish.
Berry followed up half-an-hour later on Lost In The Rain in the Mayo News Maiden. The Noel Meade-trained gelding quickened between horses approaching the final bend to record a three-and-a-half-lengths verdict over Peach Sorbet.
'I thought quite a bit of him earlier this year, and he has done it nicely there. He may be the type to jump hurdles in time,' said Meade.
Meade doubled up in the Pierse Contracting Handicap Chase where Kergaul just touched off Goodnight Mike by a head. 'I will keep him on the go over the summer as he likes fast ground,' said Meade.
Curragh handler James Burns opened his account for the season when Milton Star benefitted from a patient ride by Philip Carberry to defy topweight in the Michael Burke & Co Auctioneering Handicap. 'Philip gave him a super ride. He's a tough horse, and well able to carry the weight,' said a delighted Burns.
Favourite backers enjoyed the better of the exchanges afterwards with Jaguar Claw, heavily backed from 5/2 to 6/4, leading four out under Ruby Walsh to land the O'Neill Wholesale Beginners Chase.
Brief Dance and Gaudi also justified good support in both divisions of the Martin Flesk Plumbing And Heating Novice Hurdle.
Alan Magee
