Have Merci, sporting the colours of rock legend Ronnie Wood, landed the opening three-year-old hurdle of the season with consummate ease at a sun-drenched Roscommon yesterday evening.
Conor O'Dwyer hardly moved a muscle as the High Estate filly strode to the front after three out, and he could afford to take it very easy on the run-in to beat Simulacrum by five and a half lengths.
Winning trainer Jessica Harrington said: "She has schooled well at home and the hurdles appear to have rekindled her enthusiasm for racing. She is a big filly with plenty of scope for jumping and will go for a winners' race somewhere soon."
En-Jay-Bee benefited from an enterprising ride by Fran Berry to take the Essex Lawn Handicap Hurdle. The Ger Lyons-trained four-year-old built up a huge lead before halfway but just held on by a rapidly diminishing one and a half lengths from Moneyclear. The latter's rider John Butler was given a three-day suspension (Aug 13th-15th) by the stewards for using his whip with excessive frequency. Jimmy Swift, who was in the money on the latest five of his eight starts this year, finally came good when making all in the Fuerty Maiden under champion apprentice Eddie Ahern.
Brian Meehan's two-year-old Challenges had to settle for fifth place in the Prix des Yearlings over seven furlongs at Deauville yesterday.
John Reid's mount showed good early speed behind the impressive winner Plissetskaia.
Dominque Boeuf's mount (5-1) made smooth progress one out and ran on well to beat Stella Berine by two lengths.
Open Secret, an impressive winner at Carlisle on Monday, will now be aimed at the Tattersalls Breeders Stakes at the Curragh.
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