Joanna Morgan will be hoping to strike again quickly with Orpailleur after the gelding cruised to a seven-length success at Ballinrobe last night and no doubt grabbed the attention of the handicapper.
Pat Cosgrave's mount turned the Yolanda O'Gorman Memorial Handicap into a procession after striding away from his field two furlongs out and the pair could afford to ease down close home.
Fairyhouse on Friday is now the target, where the winner will carry a 5lb penalty. 'I always thought that he was a decent horse but we were riding him wrong. He was burning himself out and the plan today was to drop in,' explained Morgan.
Colm O'Donoghue passed the 95-winner mark, to ride off his 3lb claim, when getting newcomer Franklins Trail up close home in the McHale Engineering Maiden.
'It's great to reach 95 winners. He's a lovely horse and Willie (Mullins) told me he liked him. He said to watch him round the bends as he's a big horse and will improve for the run,' said O'Donoghue.
John Grogan was saddling his first winner since taking out a licence a few months ago when Be Dignified benefited from a fine front-running ride by Rory Cleary in the first division of the Moylough Concrete Handicap.
The second division of the contest saw Lizzy Sheehan partner her second winner. She produced Ucanstep late to deny long-time leader Sit And Settle by a short-head.
Ruby Walsh made the trip worthwhile when getting a good tune out of Woody Glen in the JJ Burke Peugeot & Izuzu Ballinrobe Handicap Hurdle to follow-up on the recent Roscommon victory for Tony Martin's gelding.
