Course specialist Dariole was successful at the August Festival meeting for the fourth year in a row when taking the featured Richard Power Bookmakers Handicap Hurdle.
The Michael Halford-trained gelding, who also won this race last year, was sent to the front after two out by Adrian Lane. Link Hill came home strongly on the run-in to get within a head, while Take Flite held every chance just half a length further back. Halford missed the victory as he is currently on the look out for new talent at the Deauville sales.
Swordplay benefitted from a patient ride by Ruby Walsh to land the opening Nolan Ryan Partnership Maiden Hurdle, but the former champion jockey paid a price for the victory with a two day suspension (August 26-27) for careless riding. The stewards enquired into an incident after two out where third placed Proletariat appeared to be hampered when Swordplay was switched to challenge on the far rail.
Curragh trainer Vivian Kennedy saddled his first winner for 11 months when Lichen took the Tote - The Easy Way To Bet Handicap with considerable ease under Davy Condon. 'She's in foal to City On A Hill, and will run again here tomorrow,' said Kennedy, who currently has four in training. Condon later completed a 32/1 double when recording another comfortable win on Milkat in the Waterford & Tramore Directors Maiden.
Fnan, who jumped poorly when disappointing at Galway last time, made amends in the e20,000 Killone Estates Handicap Chase. Monitor looked sure to win when three lengths clear approaching the final fence, but Fnan flashed past in a matter of strides on the run-in for Paul Carberry to score by two lengths.
Jug Of Punch struck the front over a furlong out under Tom Queally in the Smithwicks Maiden, and kept on well to beat Celtic Blaze by two and a half lengths. 'He's a well bred colt but is inclined to get a bit worked up, and refused to go into the stalls at Galway last time. He's got plenty of ability, and probably needs to be gelded,' said trainer Tim Doyle.
Alan Magee
