GALWAY Hurdle winner Putapoundinthejar was the star equine attraction on student day at Sligo and he had to work hard to get the better of Mode Avion in the four-runner Gracie’s Bar Beginners Chase over two and a quarter miles.

Tony Martin’s charge was a well-supported even-money favourite, having been runner-up on his chase debut at Killarney.

Daniel King’s mount was a bit untidy at the first two fences as he tracked Mode Avion, but warmed to his task and Ray Grehan’s six-year-old led on the run-in to score by a neck.

“He was a bit big and starey early on, but jumped better in the second half of the race,” said Martin.

“We’ll try and get another run into him before the ground changes and the better horses come out, then we’ll give him a break for the winter.”

Winning start

Only For Our Man (11/4) made a winning start over fences in the Frank O’Beirne Memorial Beginners Chase over three and a quarter miles.

Paul Nolan’s charge gained plenty of experience in point-to-points and had been very consistent over hurdles. The Yeats gelding tackled front-runner Affinity Rock turning for home and went away after the last to win by two and three-quarter lengths.

“The owner, Patrick Carberry, is from Armagh, the same as my wife!” said rider Sean Flanagan.

“He’s a funny oul horse and needs a bit of codding along early. He jumped very well, just a bit deliberate at one or two. James (Nolan) told me it might be no harm to challenge a bit wide, as he mightn’t be the strongest in a battle. He’s a massive, big horse and might just do better now over fences.”

Miners Bridge toughs it for second success

THE Eddie McAllister Memorial Novice Handicap Chase over two and a quarter miles was the most valuable race on the card and a competitive affair, and two in-form horses, Miners Bridge and Mic Drop, were to the fore throughout.

The former, sent off 7/4 favourite after winning over a longer trip at Killarney in August, prevailed by a length and three-quarters under Phillip Enright.

Owned by the CKC Syndicate, the nine-year-old is trained by Sam Curling, who commented: “He’s a lovely horse and jumps brilliantly, but is very fragile and has had a lot of leg trouble.

“Hopefully, we might be able to nick another one with him. There’s a race for him at Limerick on Munster National weekend, and he might go to Cheltenham after that, if all goes well.”

With four non-runners, only two went to post in the Irish Stallion Farms Mares Beginners Chase over two miles, one furlong and Herja (3/1) upset long odds-on favourite Sixandahalf, finding more off the bridle on the run-in to win by a length and three-quarters.

Herja, owned by Gerry McGladery, was a first winner for Frankie Griffin, who took over the licence after her husband Patrick passed away in August.

“The Griffins have been very good to me,” said rider Harry Sexton. “I rode this mare when she was second in Galway, so it was almost a fairytale goodbye for Patrick. I’m delighted to repay them with a winner now.”

THE Brenda Anderson Memorial Handicap Chase over two miles, five furlongs saw the Michael Kenneally-partnered Andyourbirdcansing (14/1) record her third win at the western venue. The Court Cave eight-year-old, owned by the We Win Farming Syndicate, made all and saw off fellow outsider Dunany Point by two and a quarter lengths.

Winning trainer John Ryan enthused: “I’m delighted for Oliver Broderick, who bred this mare. His son Jack is involved in a lot of syndicates with me. She hasn’t been the easiest to train, and he has been very patient.”

Evan Nugent, rider of fourth-placed Three Tribes, received a five-day suspension for using the ProCush with excessive frequency.

The omission of fences due to low-lying sun had a big impact in the final two races of the afternoon and only five were jumped in the Christy ‘Frosty’ Callaghan Memorial Chase over two miles, five furlongs. The Gordon Elliott-trained Chanceawetmorning, a well-supported 2/1 chance, gained compensation for a last-fence fall when contending at Kilbeggan. The Snow Sky gelding, owned by Conor McGlone, was prominent throughout and beat Le Coq Hardi by five lengths.

“He showed no ill effects from the fall,” said rider Jack Kennedy. “The few fences that we had, he took them on and was very measured. He probably wouldn’t want it bottomless, but he’s a nice prospect.”

Just six fences were jumped in the concluding handicap chase over three and a quarter miles, and it produced a terrific finish with the Alex Harvey-ridden Mini Getaway (10/1) just prevailing by a head from market leader Pourquoi Poi.

“She has limited ability, but has a wonderful temperament and is the stable pet,” said trainer Martin Lynch.

“She leads everything at home, anyone can ride her. She’s been consistent lately but, to be honest, it’s a bonus to win a race with her.

“I breed a few horses with her owner Mary Anne Onions, who’s been in the game a long time and was a steward of the Turf Club in the past. I’ve been winding down the yard. I’ve about 12 riding out, mostly for old friends and clients. I’m riding out five or six lots a day, but I don’t bounce like I used to!”