The stalls opened for the first time in the new Flat season today at The Curragh where the all conquering Aidan O'Brien team combined successfully with new stable jockey Jamie Spencer to land the opening two year old race of the season with Russian Blue.
O'Brien later reported that the son of Danehill 'is a lovely horse' while adding that his recently appointed stable jockey 'gave the colt a very positive ride. '
On a day for mudlarks, Donie Hassett's top two mile chaser Native Scout landed the Jockeys Challenge Handicap under Barry Geraghty. The win provided the jump jockeys with its second success in as many years in jockey's challenge while it was also Geraghty's initial win at Flat headquarters.
The feature event, the Irish Lincoln, went to the mud loving Tolpuddle who was produced with a perfectly timed challenge to win under Wayne Lordan. Trainer Tommy Stack was represented by his son Fozzy who later stated 'he can't get the ground soft enough and will probably run in a Listed race here next month.'
Visiting Australian commentator Matthew Hill called the Park Express Listed Stakes, a race won by Jim Bolger's Alexander Goldrun. According to Bolger, the promising daughter of Gold Away 'needs a minimum trip of one mile while she didn't mind the heavy ground.'
Trainer Des McDonogh was another to make it a winning start to the new season when his Assigh Lady made all to win the second race, the five furlong handicap under Cathy Gannon.
McDonogh later stated 'Cathy gave her a lovely ride' while he exclaimed 'its great to be leading trainer - even if it's only going to last about one hour!'
Life Class (14/1) made all to win the seven furlong handicap on her first handicap start, for Co Limerick trainer Austin Leahy. Leahy later stated 'the plan wasn't to make the running but Helen (Keohane) got an easy lead and the filly battled well under pressure. We have no plans at the moment but she handles good ground.'
Edward Lynam's Erreur improved from her initial run as a juvenile when landing the six furlong maiden under promising apprentice Bill Lee while the concluding maiden was won by Dabiroun, ensuring trainer John Oxx and jockey Fran Berry each got on the scoreboard for the season.
