Conor Maxwell gets the best out of ultra-versatile Aprils Joy in feature contest
Aprils Joy provided another advertisement of her versatility when landing the feature €18,500 mares' handicap hurdle for Gavin Cromwell, her second success with Conor Maxwell on board.
The game six-year-old, carrying the colours of the Mick and Molly Syndicate, built on a promising return to action at Cork last month to supplement last year's wins in a point-to-point, mares' maiden hurdle and Flat handicap.
Her supporters may have endured a minor scare late on as the closing pack narrowed the gap on the winner, but the 13-2 chance held on in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF-backed event, with just three necks separating the first four home.
Johnston finally off the mark
The old adage that good things come to those who wait proved true for conditional jockey Dylan Johnston, who recorded his first success on his 58th ride aboard the Harry Smyth-trained Willyouwalkwithme.
"It's taken a while but I got there eventually and I'm delighted," the winning rider told Racing TV after prevailing in a photo.
"I wasn't sure if I had got up on the line. It's a relief to get my first winner. I'm originally from Dublin but ride out for Noel Kelly in the mornings and ride for Harry in the afternoons."
McLoughlin caps fine week
Trainer Dermot McLoughlin started the week with a Connacht National victory at Roscommon with The Echo Boy and rounded it off with another success courtesy of the unexposed Massons Castle, the convincing winner of division one of the 2m1½f handicap hurdle.
Get clued up with the latest Royal Ascot tips and odds with our free microsite. The best betting advice and exclusive Royal Ascot free betting offers all in one place.
Published on 13 June 2021inReports
Last updated 18:10, 13 June 2021
- Banbridge robs Captain Guinness in broad daylight as opening day feature proves to be a thriller
- Yarmouth: 'She was worth the wait' - €2,600,000 yearling Run Away makes successful debut under Oisin Murphy
- Champion Novice Chase: 'What an engine he's got' - Jimmy Mangan has something special in Spillane's Tower as he grabs another Grade 1
- Brighton: 'There's a lot more racing over here' - Soldiers Design gets Sean Dylan Bowen off to blistering start after move from Ireland
- Punchestown: 'It would have been crazy not to target it' - Tom Lacey strikes the right tune as he completes successful raid
- Banbridge robs Captain Guinness in broad daylight as opening day feature proves to be a thriller
- Yarmouth: 'She was worth the wait' - €2,600,000 yearling Run Away makes successful debut under Oisin Murphy
- Champion Novice Chase: 'What an engine he's got' - Jimmy Mangan has something special in Spillane's Tower as he grabs another Grade 1
- Brighton: 'There's a lot more racing over here' - Soldiers Design gets Sean Dylan Bowen off to blistering start after move from Ireland
- Punchestown: 'It would have been crazy not to target it' - Tom Lacey strikes the right tune as he completes successful raid