O'Brien excels on Ishvana

THERE MAY have only been five runners in the featured bookings at Dundalkstadium.comRace last night, but the seven-furlong event was a cracking little heat.

However, many punters won’t remember it with fondness as 6 to 1 chance Ishvana (successful on her only previous visit here) came out best under an excellent ride by Joseph O’Brien, who went on to complete a 111 to 1 double on the Joanna Morgan-trained Six Silver Lane (14 to 1).

Piri Wango, the second choice in the betting, set the pace under Johnny Murtagh, with market-leader Slade Power held up by Wayne Lordan in order to see out the trip. O’Brien took over on his father Aidan’s Ishvana over a furlong out and try as he might Lordan couldn’t get to him on Slade Power, half-a-length separating the pair at the line. There was just a head back to Janey Muddles in third.

This was a sweet success for the O’Briens as the jockey’s mum Ann Marie bred and also owns the Holy Roman Emperor three-year-old.

Joseph said: “She got a nice lead – she picked up then and was very genuine. She ran a good race at the Curragh first time out this year but she got knocked down at Leopardstown the last day.”

They say good things come to those who wait and after being without success for the best part of three years, Kieran Cotter struck for the second time in four days when Oonagh landed the opening Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund Fillies Maiden.

A daughter of Ballyhane Stud’s Arakan, Oonagh made all in this seven-furlong event under Sam James. The 3 to 1 favourite stayed on well from over a furlong out to beat Attire and the nicely supported La Oliva (12s yesterday morning into 11 to 2) by two lengths and half-a-length.

Oonagh, an €800 purchase as a yearling by her owner Michael O’Reilly at Goffs in 2010, is one of six or seven that Portarlington-based Cotter has in training and he is hoping for a continuation of his good run.

Sunday’s Navan winner Little Village will bid to give the stable their third winner in six days at Dundalk tomorrow night.

Cotter said of Oonagh: “She’s been working very well at home and I think she’s a bit better than an average maiden. That’s probably her trip.”

Michael Grassick is keen to see Elusive In Paris back on turf after the three-year-old stayed on well to beat top-weight Strike Action in the Dundalkstadium.comHandicap. "He didn't settle the last day and I felt going a stronger pace over seven furlongs would suit him," said the winning trainer.

“I’m keen to get him back on grass but there have been very few opportunities over this trip. Ground is the key to him as he needs good ground.”