Limerick apprentice Billy Lee partnered his first winner when producing Zeno from off the pace to land the Rosses Point Maiden.
Lee, 16, whose mother Edwina Finn and sister Gillian Lee both hold training licences, is already a star on the pony racing circuit where he has ridden 57 winners. Zeno made smooth headway off the home turn, and the Tommy Stack-trained gelding led close home to beat Lady Kia by a neck.
Tom Hogan and Michael Grassick both have a fine record at the north-western venue, and were successful with Newtown Dancer and Sonachan respectively.
Newtown Dancer justified favouritism in the opening Tubbercurry Handicap, with the 5/4 chance always handy under Colm O'Donoghue to beat Ridgewood Secret by a length and a half.
'She is a tough, little filly and was a bit unlucky at Galway last week where she was hampered in the straight,' said Nenagh based Hogan before adding, 'I trained my first winner at this meeting four years ago, and this track has proved very lucky for me ever since.'
The market suggested that the mile and three quarters Leguard Maiden was a match between Sonachan and Alaynia, and so it proved as the former got on top inside the final furlong for Niall McCullagh to score by five lengths. 'She is a well bred filly, and it's great to get a winning bracket,' said winning trainer Michael Grassick's assistant Pat Malone. He added: 'Niall said she didn't really enjoy the heavy ground, but she's game and stays well.'
Punters also got it right in the Sherry Fitzgerald Draper Property Advisors Maiden when Pat Cosgrave partnered his 14th winner of the season aboard Zaby. The Kevin Prendergast-trained 11/10 favourite led at the furlong pole but was immediately tackled on the inner by newcomer Milltown Prince. The latter, backed just before the off from 20/1 down to 14/1, looked set to score but was just pegged back in the final stride.
Northern Mill continued a frustrating run of seconditis when bidding to make all in the Drumcliffe Maiden Hurdle. The 6/4 favourite was headed after the last by unconsidered 20/1 chance Foreal (paid 107/1 on the Tote) to provide rider Martin O'Connor with his 12th career win.
Alan Magee
