Ladies land first two winners in Ballinrobe

The ground was surprisingly firm as the north-west generally escaped the widespread rain, and female jockeys were to the fore in the opening two races. Olive Gaule (23) partnered her second winner when Brown Corrig made all in the 2yo fillies auction maiden, staying on well in the straight to beat Pomeranze by two lengths.

'She is in the Goffs Autumn Bonus (a E40,000 sales race at Cork on September 27), and we may give her a little break before that,' said uccessful trainer Joe Crowley. Cathy Gannon has been a much more frequent visitor to the winners enclosure, and recorded her 7th winner of the season when Lady Prague landed a gamble in the claimer.

The 2/1 (from 3/1) favourite stretched clear on the far rail inside the final furlong to to beat Tango Step by three lengths, and there were no claims afterwards for any of the 15 runners. Portant Fella (2/1-6/4f) also justified good support in the two miles handicap hurdle, confidently ridden by Barry Geraghty to head Erinella on the run-in for a 2L victory .

'He's a different horse on firm ground, and it's hard to believe they avoided the rain as it lashed all the way up here,' said trainer Joanna Morgan. She added, 'He's a very sound horse and takes his racing well, so we may go for a mile handicap at Bellewstown on Thursday.'

Palouse is unlikely to turn out again over fences at Ballinrobe tomorrow after staying on best in the straight under Niall McCullagh to beat Kerry Way by 1 1/2L in the 12f handicap. 'He must have fast ground, and I knew he was in good order coming here today. He probably won't run at Ballinrobe as it looks like the ground will turn soft.'

Queens Musician (12/1 but paid 68.10 on the Tote) caused a shock in the maiden hurdle when jumping to the front at the last under Robert Power to beat Spirit Of Texas by 2 1/2L. 'We bought him out of George Swinbank's stable last autumn. He's still a maiden on the Flat, and will be a dual purpose horse for the summer,' said trainer Pat Hughes.

Niall Madden senior and junior combined to take the 2m4f handicap hurdle with San Diego, making all and clear after three out to beat Ace Conqueror by an easy 3L. Piercing Sun was close to the pace throughout in the bumper, and was sent on inside the final 1/2m by Pa Murphy to beat Quarantine by 3 1/2L.

Filed by Brendan Cole