Eddie Lynam opened his account for the season when saddling Henry Afrika to take the featured Gain Feeds Handicap at Gowran Park yesterday afternoon. The Mujadil gelding, having his fourth outing since the belated start to the season, led a furlong out under useful 5lb claimer Wayne Lordan to beat the staying on Polite Reply by three quarters of a length.
'It's nice to get off the mark for the year', said Lynam, who added: 'He didn't get home the last day at Tipperary, and will go now for another three-year-old mile handicap at the Curragh on 1,000 Guineas day'.
El Bueno showed a fine turn of foot to take the Glanbia Classic Trial. The Caerleon colt was held up at the back of the five runners, and quickened nicely under Colm O'Donoghue to ease three lengths clear of the front-running Pugin at the line.
Pat Smullen has made a good start to the defence of his Flat jockeys title, and he moved onto the ten winner mark this term when Maumee justified odds of 4/6 in the Kavanagh's Supervalu Maiden. The son of Indian Ridge and Cruiskeen Lawn drew clear in the closing stages, with Weld's charge eventually scoring by half a length.
Fran Berry partnered his sixth winner of the season when the Michael Holden-trained She's Our Girl stretched clear inside the final furlong to justify favouritism in the EBF Fillies Maiden.
