Niall McCullagh rode an excellent 17.5/1 double at Ballinrobe yesterday evening when he partnered Trigolden and Dame Alicia to success for Phillip Rothwell and Michael Grassick respectively.
Trigolden took the opening Western People Handicap after leading over a furlong out before running on well to defeat Gossie Madera by a length with the favourite Freya two lengths away in third.
Meanwhile, Dame Alicia provided McCullagh with the second leg of his brace when she made all the running to win the Tote Exacta Maiden by four-and-a-half lengths. The daughter of Sadler's Wells is a half sister to Century City and this win will have consideraby enhanced her paddock value.
Elsewhere Cochis Run (11/2) provided local trainer Michael Flannery with his first winner at the track when won the Cunningham Londis Handicap Chase by three-parts of a length under Ross Geraghty.
Barry Geraghty followed up his brother's success when he steered the 7/4 favourite Sum Leader to an easy nine length victroy in the Beginners Chase. Trainer Gerry Keane indicated that the horse was likely to swerve Galway after an unsuccessful run there last year.
Rosehall Girl's success in the 0-80 handicap was very much a family affair as the Pat Morris-trained filly is owned by a syndicate compromised of Morris's family. Jamie Moriarty's mount looked beaten when headed on the approach to the straight but she battled back well to defeat Eura Star by half a length.
Paul Moloney gave Oneofthesimpsons a great ride to take the 0-109 chase for trainer Pat Carey while Colca Canyon won the Bumper for Jessica Harrington.
