John Daniel Moore, 20, known by his family as JD, partnered his first ever winner at the popular midlands track last evening when Bitofabuzz, sporting the colours of his mother Mary and trained by father Arthur, landed the opening Loughnagore Maiden Hurdle in convincing style.
JD, who is named after his two grandfathers, sent the six-year-old to the front two out and he stayed on well to beat Buck And A Half by five and a half lengths.
A delighted Arthur Moore said afterwards: "JD was with Oliver Sherwood last winter, and is going to Robert Alner this season for further experience."
Charlie Swan celebrated by waving his whip in the air passing the line when producing Young Dubliner with a late surge to pip stablemate Linda's Boy, ridden by Richard Dunwoody, by a head in the Cleaboy Stud Handicap Chase.
Winning trainer Enda Bolger said: "I have mixed feelings about that result as I thought Linda's Boy would win. Richard said he probably hit the front too soon after great jumps three out and at the second last."
Fortynineplus will bid for a quick follow up in a novice chase at Downpatrick on Monday after gaining an easy success in the Mullingar Maiden Hurdle. Garrett Cotter sent the Torus gelding to the front at halfway, and quickly asserted his superiority for an eight-length win from Head Chaplain.
The season's leading apprentice Eddie Ahern had the 10-day ban he picked up for the Tramore stewards on Thursday week last reduced to six days after his Turf club appeal was heard yesterday. Ahern had been suspended for dropping his hands in the Halfway House Maiden Race and being eventually beaten by only a neck. The Turf Club appeals reccomended yesterday that the marking of the finishing areas of courses should be examined, particularly on tracks where the running rail is sited away from the rail on which the winning post is located.
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