Tipperary Racing Scene
Twice a winner over hurdles, the John Ryan-trained Flidais opened her account over fences when taking the opening two-mile beginners' chase at Clonmel on Thursday.
In her trainer’s own colours, the 14/1 chance led after the second-last fence and stayed on under Sean O'Keeffe to beat Philip Rothwell’s favourite Ballybrittas and Tiernan Power Roche by four lengths.
Ballycahill’s Eddie Power landed his first success with a restricted trainer’s licence when sending Sunny South West out to take the concluding bumper. Ridden by Adam Ryan, the Sean Dalton-owned 15/2 chance led before halfway and came home a two and three-parts of a length winner from Willie Mullins’ even-money favourite Doctor Steinberg.
Fozzy Stack and Joey Sheridan got off the mark for the new Flat season when the five-year-old Two Stars scored a decisive success in the five-furlong handicap at the Curragh on Saturday.
Making much of the running, the strong 85/40 favourite was well in control over a furlong from the finish and he skipped nicely clear to beat the Jack Davison-trained Betsen by a very comfortable two and three-parts of a length, adding to a win over the same course and distance in November and a maiden success as a three-year-old at Cork.
Aidan O'Brien and Ryan Moore shared three winners at Leopardstown on Sunday.
Their Breeders’ Cup hero Henri Matisse made a winning return to action in the Group 3 seven-furlong stakes in which the favourite swooped late on to get the better of Donnacha O'Brien’s Comanche Brave by half a length with Adrian Murray’s front-running Arizona Blaze the same margin away in third place.
Delacroix was also a winner on his seasonal reappearance as he also defied a penalty to take the Group 3 PW McGrath Memorial Ballysax Stakes. In contrast, however, he made all the running at odds-on favourite, and was well on top when beating his own stable companion Lamborn by two and a quarter lengths.
The O’Brien and Moore treble was completed when the favourite Serious contender won the 10-furlong handicap. He led home a Ballydoyle 1-2 in the race with Light As Air coming through for the runner-up spot after getting little luck in running.
Upcoming Meetings
Gowran Park – Wednesday, April 2 (First race 4.02pm)
Naas – Thursday, April 3 (First race 2pm)
Wexford – Friday, April 4 (First race 3.45pm)
Dundalk – Friday, April 4 (First race 5.42pm)
Bellewstown – Saturday, April 5 (First race 4.20pm)
Fairyhouse – Sunday, April 6 (First race 1.35pm)
Cork – Sunday, April 6 (First race 1.55pm)