Dropping back to the minimum trip for the first time after four runner-up placings from five outings, Belle Artiste deservedly got off the mark at Tipperary last evening when making all in the median auction maiden.
Jamie Spencer soon had the daughter of Namid at the head of affairs and she showed good speed throughout to come home a convincing two-length victor. Her handler Joe Crowley was relieved to see the 7/4 market-leader finally off the mark and now has the effort to attain black-type as the priority.
A courageous winner of his maiden at the Galway Festival, Defi again showed a most willing attitude when holding off Hard Warrior by a head under Padraig Beggy in the opener.
Kevin Prendergast's charge made all as he had done last week, but many will remember this contest for the performance of Aidan O'Brien's newcomer, Falstaff who shaped promisingly taking third.
Beggy's fellow apprentice, Rory Cleary has of course been in tremendous form of late and he continued his purple patch aboard Pat Flynn's Nic's Colleen in the Derrinstown Stud-sponsored handicap.
This filly was achieving her third success from four outings and she looks set for a fair hike in the weights after a most comprehensive three-length victory.
Another rider who has been on the crest of a wave is Denis O'Regan and the Corkonian was aboard his fifth winner since Sunday when he guided Timeless Spirit to what, for most of the journey looked an unlikely win in the three mile handicap hurdle.
Pushed along trailing the field passing the enclosures with a circuit to complete, the Noel Meade-trained grey got into his stride to take up the running after three out and from then on there wasn't much doubt about the outcome as the 6/4 favourite stayed on dourly for a seven length win.
Tigim, a winner of his final three starts last term but having endured a fruitless time this term, hit top form again under Michael Hussey, making every post a winning one in the sprint handicap. Successful handler Peter Henley suggested that the number one draw had been a major contributory factor in the win.
Davy Russell produced Shes Flying with a telling burst of acceleration away from the second last to triumph in the maiden hurdle by five lengths for trainer Tom Kidd. Next week's Tramore Festival will now feature on the itinerary of the 14/1 shot.
Newcomer, Eye On The Ball was all the rage for the bumper, but he slipped up at an early stage. Form horse, Ballybeg Glen (5/2 to 7/4), fended off the challenge of Glenhaven Man by two and a half lengths under David Porter for the Philip Rothwell yard.
