Dick Donohoe saddled his first winner, Rose Of Stradbally, in the Analog Devices Handicap Hurdle at Limerick yesterday. Donohoe, who trains a string of six horses at Gowran and only took out a licence after the death of his father Michael this autumn, acquired the horse from the Margaret Flynn stable six weeks ago. The six-year-old was produced with a well-timed challenge by Derek McCullagh to lead at the last for a one-and-a-half length win from Rosetown Girl.
"I hope to run her next in the £15,000 Ashford Handicap Hurdle at Leopardstown on January 10th," said Donohoe.
Timmy Murphy, who is currently serving a 20-day whip suspension, took advantage of a day break in his ban with no racing scheduled in Britain, to successfully partner Young Mrs Kelly in the Analog Devices Handicap Chase.
Winning trainer Eric McNamara said: "Timmy gave her a brilliant ride. He asked her for a couple of big jumps and she came up every time. She is a real old-fashioned staying chaser and is as genuine as they come."
Scarvagh, a half-brother to Cheltenham Gold Cup favourite Dorans Pride, justified odds-on support with ease in the Analog Devices Flat Race.
On Saturday, Kieran Gaule continued a successful Christmas period when completing a short-priced double with Fifth Generation and Stagalier. The 24-yearold rider, who landed the £35,000 Dennys Gold Medal Novices Chase aboard Dardjini at Leopardstown on Friday, was again seen to good effect over the larger obstacles when taking the two chases on the card.
Fifth Generation was installed the odds-on favourite for the the three-runner Goggin Buckley Structural Steel Handicap Chase following a hat-trick of wins in the past month, and he again defied the handicapper with the minimum of fuss. Stagalier, a stablemate of Dardjini, was also ridden close to the pace by Gaule in the EBF Tattersalls Ireland Mares Beginners Chase. The Noel Meade-trained grey headed Ceili Queen approaching the last to score by two and a half lengths.
Andrew McNamara has a three mile handicap at Leopardstown on Ladbroke Hurdle day in mind for Glin Castle, who made every yard of the running in the opening AIB Bank Hurdle. The five-year-old jumped well in the hands of the trainer's nephew John Thomas to beat Milla's Man by nine lengths. Verglas, the Irish 2,000 Guineas second, got off the mark in California by capturing a $60,000 turf allowance race (1m) at Santa Anita on St Stephens's Day. The former Kevin Prendergast charge, now with Charlie Whittingham, beat Super Mining a length under Gary Stevens.
Darren Beadman, the crack Australian rider who has decided to quit the saddle to become a minister of religion, marked his farewell by scoring one of one of his three rides at Randwick on St Stephen's Day.
