Review LEOPARDSTOWN 24TH APR

Ballydoyle's Solskjaer landed the feature event, the Listed Heritage Stakes, at Leopardstown today providing jockey Seamus Heffernan with the second leg of a double.

The five year old entire made all for a game win in the mile contest, battling on well when ridden along by Heffernan entering the straight.

Aidan O'Brien was absent but Heffernan did report 'he improved a lot from his first run and he should improve further from that. He's a strong horse and just about goes through the ground.'

Heffernan earlier landed the Maple Handicap on Peter Casey's Bective Ranger.

The opening two year old maiden went to Jim Bolger's Sandie who showed the benefit of a previous run, when third at The Curragh recently. The 7/4 favourite stayed on well to beat newcomer Jioconda.

Dermot Weld has high hopes for his Utterly Heaven and the filly recorded a stylish win in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden while odds-on punters were made sweat when Concert Party needed strong driving to win the 7f maiden.

Trainer Declan Gillespie has made a fine start to the new season and his Final Opinion won the Pinewood Handicap

At Cork meanwhile, there was plenty of controversy in division one of the bumper with a Charles Byrnes one-two over-shadowed by what was generally accepted to be a disgraceful riding performance on the runner-up, Laetitia.

The race was won by Byrnes' Alpha Royale under a strong ride from Martin Ferris while the ride of the second placed Laetitia could be described as nothing but awful.

Jockey Michael Purcell sat motionless on Laetitia for much of the home straight and although the rider's second crack of the whip inside the final furlong did connect, the rider appeared to pull his mount back close home, allowing Alpha Royale to win by a length.

As the runners crossed the line, boos were audible in the stands while the inevitable stewards' enquiry and suspension which was due to follow, was scheduled to take place after the final race.

The second division of the bumper was less eventful and went to Connaught Hall under a strong Katie Walsh ride.

The opening Kanturk Maiden Hurdle went to Noel Meade's Father Matt, a winning first ride back for Paul Carberry who injured his wrist at Fairyhouse 11 days ago.

The winner made all for his seven length success while a bad mistake at the second last failed to prevent the son of King's Ride recording a comfortable win over Sir Frederick.

Afterwards Meade reported 'the plan is to go chasing in the Autumn but he may run in a three mile novice hurdle at Punchestown on Saturday.'

Easy to back 11/10 favourite (from 4/6) Savitha won the Glantane Maiden Hurdle providing jockey John Cullen with his 45th win in what has been an excellent season for the Wexford rider.

Winning trainer Paul Nolan later mentioned 'we were afraid of the heavy ground and she has her own way of jumping. She should win a handicap from her current mark (97) provided the handicapper isn't too tough on her.'

Elsewhere, on the card, Out The Gap landed the 2m handicap hurdle under Tom Treacy while the well supported Dusty Doolan landed the 3m handicap hurdle under the reliable Robert Power.