BOB THE YANK, trained in Tramore by Pat Flavin, landed the featured Murphy's Irish Stout Handicap Hurdle at Killarney yesterday. Sent to the front by John Shortt at the hall"way stage, the pair quickly poached a four-length lead before extending the advantage running down to the penultimate flight.
Despite a slow leap over the last, the partnership stayed on well to beat Saving Bond, who was left to fill the runner-up berth after Colm's Rock crashed at the last under Charlie Swan.
Flavin, who at present trains just two horses, said: "We've had a winner at Killarney for the last three years now. We were a little concerned coming here the ground might be a fraction too soft for him but John found the best of the ground for him out there. I've no plans for him, but it's a long summer!"
Power Play, partnered by Navan-born Tracy Lynagh, got up in the dying strides to pip Omar by the minimum margin and justify favouritism in the Dawn Reid Ladies Race. Winning trainer John Oxx went on to complete a double in the bumper with new-comer Azinter, who ran on gamely under a strong drive from Philip Dempsey to beat Couldn't Say by two lengths.
On Saturday, Jim Bolger continued his recent rich vein of form when completing a 47 to 1 double. Blues Project landed The White Sands Hotel Maiden Hurdle for the Coolcullen trainer when leading two out under Sean O'Donovan to beat the odds-on Snow Falcon by four and a half lengths.
Bint Alsarab, a full sister to Epsom Derby runner-up, Blue Judge, made a successful debut when swooping late for Kevin Manning to beat Poker School by a head in the River Rock Maiden.
The David Wachman-trained Minella Storm was all the rage in the bumper and duly obliged, but there was a sting in the tail for winning rider Tony Martin when he picked up a four-day suspension for improper use of the whip in the closing stages.