Life's a beach in Ireland at the moment although owner JP McManus was making hay in the sunshine at Tipperary this evening, watching horses carrying his colours win the opening three races.
Overbury Affair got the McManus ball rolling in the opening Keeponthesunnyside Beginners Chase, for trainer Edward O'Grady, despite being a market drifter (2/1 - 100/30).
Well ridden by Paddy Flood, the JP McManus owner gelding raced prominently throughout but needed strong driving to shake off the challenge of Sigma Techs by a length and a half.
O'Grady later reported 'I never thought he'd take this long (last win in October 2004) to win another race and I have no immediate plan from here. Paddy gave him a very confident ride.'
Half an hour later McManus denied O'Grady a double when his Silent Jo defeated Bernabeu to win the Munster Heroes Hurdle, under good 7lb claimer Robbie Dunne.
McManus' racing manager Frank Berry later mentioned 'Silent Jo is only pony-sized but is game, jumps well and will be kept going during the summer.'
Trainer Niall Madden string hits form on fast ground and another of his sunshine stars, The Foyle, completed McManus' treble in the Ballykisteen Maiden Hurdle (division 1).
Madden was not present but Berry was on hand to report 'this horse has had plenty of problems, including bursting blood vessels, but he had things his own way there and jumped well. He'll be kept going during the summer.'
John Murphy's miracle year shows no signs of ending, and the Co Cork trainer saddled Keep'nitreal (as big as 20/1 in the morning; returned at 8/1) to win the Visit www.tipperaryraces.ie QR Handicap Hurdle under Jack Doyle.
Murphy later reported 'he is a different horse on fast ground and he looks like he'll stay further again.'
Roger Sweeney's Daramas finally confirmed his lofty home reputation when proving the hugely impressive six length winner of the Portrait Gallery @ Kilfeacle Stud Bumper, on his first run on fast ground.
Noel Meade's Telemachus won the Ballykisteen Maiden Hurdle, under Denis O'Regan while John Allen was seen to good effect on Joe Crowley's Permiya, winner of the John Harney Bookmaker Handicap Chase.
