Curragh-based trainer enjoys first winner at the track as part of 178-1 double for Jason Hart

John O'Donoghue’s decision to send his first runners to Ayr paid off when Nuevo Slovo got off the mark at the second attempt in the 5f maiden.

The runner-up and third from Nuevo Slovo’s Dundalk debut last month have won since and the son of James Garfield progressed from that sixth-placed effort to score by three-quarters of a length from Wateen.

“I watched his previous run and spoke to Ronan Whelan [jockey] and he gave all chance away at the start,” winning rider Jason Hart told Racing TV. “He was out sharp today and knew his job.”

It was the first time Hart had ridden for O'Donoghue since he was successful on the Curragh-based trainer’s sole previous winner in Britain, Final Check, at Newcastle in November 2023.

“That’s only the second ride I’ve had for John and two winners,” said Hart, who completed a double when Katie Scott’s rank outsider in the 5f handicap, Luna A Inbhir Nis, defied odds of 50-1.

Outright record

Glasses Up became the most prolific Flat winner at the Scottish track when justifying 5-2 favouritism in the 1m5f handicap.

The Mike Smith-trained ten-year-old had been tied on eight course victories with Redarna, Tommy G and Goninodaethat before bringing up his ninth success.

Glasses Up’s rider David Allan had earlier steered Tim Easterby’s Rosemary May to her first win at the third attempt in the mile maiden.

Back on track 

Spirit Of Acklam wins the feature 1m2f handicapCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Spirit Of Acklam managed only 17th in the £75,000 Spring Mile at Doncaster, but the Mick and David Easterby-trained four-year-old bounced back from that disappointment to take the feature 1m2f handicap under Joanna Mason.

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