Gudnis Gracious Me jumps a flight on her way to victory under Mikey Butler© Photo Healy Racing
< Gudnis Gracious Me showed her rivals a clean pair of heels in the Fay Bookmakers Handicap Hurdle at Kilbeggan.
The 9-1 chance had shown signs of emerging from a spell in the doldrums when fourth at Downpatrick earlier in the month and Mikey Butler was very positive on her here.
Only Liberty's Gift appeared a legitimate challenger approaching the turn for home, but Gudnis Gracious Me still had plenty up her sleeve and skipped away for a seven-length call.< Beachdale Lad (5-4 favourite) has a bright future over fences judging by his all-the-way triumph in the Tyrrellspass Novice Chase.
Mark Bolger saw a stride heading to the penultimate obstacle on Jessie Harrington's Roscommon winner, and he winged it to steal a valuable few lengths on his rivals, before keeping going right the way to the line to account for Six Stone Ned by 15 lengths.< Double Seven (14-1) had shown precious little over fences heading into the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Handicap Chase, but capitalised on his comparatively lenient mark to score with plenty in hand.< Akatara broke through at the 37th attempt at this venue at the start of the month and that has clearly boosted her confidence because she followed up as a 3-1 shot in the T & V Novice Hurdle.
Michael Bowe's mare was brought to challenge by Jody McGarvey on the run to the final flight and a slick leap helped seal a length-and-three-quarter defeat of Tapaigh An Deis
Davy Condon was in sparkling form at Down Royal last Friday and continued in much the same vein as the Noel Meade-trained Honourable Emperor (5-2) came out on top in the Easyfix Rubber Products Maiden Hurdle.< Cerveza Dinero (7-1) had been out of sorts but bounced right back to form to take the Hurley Family Handicap Hurdle for trainer/jockey Denis Hogan.
