Darragh O'Keeffe rides treble including first winner for newcomer Ger O'Leary

Jockey Darragh O'Keeffe continued his fine form with a 71-1 treble and the middle leg, Empire Succes, provided trainer Ger O'Leary with his first winner from just his sixth runner.

Empire Succes was getting off the mark at the third attempt in the 2m4f maiden hurdle and was given an astute front-running ride from O'Keeffe, who steered him to victory over Rue Taylor by a length and a half at odds of 4-1.

"I'm delighted," said O'Leary. "Stepping up in trip was the key to him. His work at home has been very good. I'm based in east Cork and I've five riding out with plenty of room for more.

"I'm very grateful to the [owners] Broadfield Group Syndicate. They are a group of Irish lads living in America and they put a lot of trust in me. They asked me to get a licence to train a couple for them."

O'Keeffe also took the opening 2m3½f beginners' chase on Jasko Des Dames and the 2m4f mares' hurdle on the Finbar Hand-trained Ms Agartha Yeats. In the latter contest, the 1-10 favourite Aurora Vega was pulled up and was found to be clinically abnormal afterwards.

Weather bolts up

Watch The Weather impressively won the 2m3½f handicap chase under Danny Gilligan for trainer Ray Cody.

The eight-year-old was well supported in the market and impressed with how he travelled through the race, before he came through to lead after the penultimate fence and score by six lengths at 4-1.

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