Noel Meade's Moratorium overcame a ten month absence when running out the two length winner of the Bulmers Jack Duggan Memorial Handicap Hurdle under a good Denis O'Regan ride at Gowran today.
Regan settled the winner towards the rear before making steady progress to chase the leaders entering the straight.
Moratorium moved through to lead jumping the last, eventually staying on well for a two length success over Sea Skate.
Allowed to start at generous odds of 14/1 (21/1 on the Tote), the JP McManus owned gelding was later reported by McManus' racing manager Frank Berry as being 'on target for the Galway Hurdle.'
He added 'the horse jumps great but may have another Flat run before then. Denis gave him a smashing ride and got the horse settled nicely.'
Absent trainer Jim Bolger recorded a double, opening with Nyasa, under Kevin Manning, in the mile handicap, a first win as an owner for Michael Kinane's wife Catherine, while Mrs Gillow landed the 1m6f handicap under Brian Hughes.
Mrs Gillow was providing nineteen year old Hughes, who rode over hurdles and fences last winter, with his 16th career success.
Locally based trainer Pat Delaney saddled Ballon Rose to win the 2m2f maiden hurdle under Tommy Treacy.
Delaney later reported 'I expected her to run very well as she likes good ground, although I have no immediate plans for her.'
Co Cork based trainer John Murphy recorded his fourth win of the season following In The Ribbons' success in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden.
In The Ribbons made all under Colm O'Donoghue and battled well when strongly pressed by eventual runner-up Tatamagouche over a furlong out, for a length and a half success.
The opening two year old maiden went to Joe Murphy's Ardbrae Lady, who got her head in front inside the final furlong for a three parts of a length win under Wayne Lordan.
Murphy later reported 'she is a very nice filly and she may run in a Listed race at The Curragh next weekend if there is an ease in the ground.'
