'It’s the kind of day you dream about' - Soaring Monarch is king on red-letter day for Alan McIntyre

Kilkenny trainer Alan McIntyre's career appears to be heading in just one direction and he enjoyed a memorable day on Monday when Soaring Monarch landed his biggest prize to date in the feature premier handicap, not long after Moonhall Church recorded the first leg of a cross-card double in the opening maiden at Fairyhouse.

McIntyre had the services of the oldest jockey in the weighing room in Niall McCullagh and he was always travelling well on the Free Eagle gelding before picking up strongly in the closing stages to win by two and three-quarter lengths from Scholarship.

Speaking from Fairyhouse, McIntyre said:  "It’s great for Old Leighlin stables and I’m delighted for the owners Basil and Bernie Holian as they're great supporters of ours. He’s a very nice horse and did it well. I’d say we’ll keep him going for the season as he doesn’t mind soft ground.

"It’s the kind of day you dream about. It’s great to be competing in these types of good races. This is where we want to be.”  

Cleary paves the way for Moore's arrival

Ryan Moore rides at Listowel for the first time on Tuesday, but he will do well to match the feats of Jack Cleary as the 7lb claimer had a double on the two Ballydoyle runners on the day.

Arizona colt Right And True got off the mark at the fifth time of asking in the opening median auction maiden, finding more than enough late on to see off the once-raced pair Nobler and the well-backed Fivefortwo by upwards of three and three-quarter lengths. 

The double was completed by the belated newcomer Dublin in the three-year-old and upward maiden, in which four of the ten runners were wearing first-time headgear. Blinkers were the headgear of choice on the winner, and they seemed to do their job as he stayed on strongly to score by four lengths from 88-rated Finsceal Luas.

Cleary said: "I ride him quite a bit at home so I knew him well. He's straightforward and I was confident of a big run."

O'Sullivan finds his range

No ride was praised more than the fine effort of 10lb claimer Darragh O'Sullivan, who got the best out of 50-1 shot Relevant Range in the mile handicap. 

Trainer Gillian Scott said: "That was a fantastic ride. He was just so cool. He just got him travelling and enthusiastic, because he's not that genuine. He's a good jockey.

"Darragh started off pony racing and my mother actually gave him a pony to get him started. We've known his father Danny for years. The connection has always been there and I wanted to give him something. I think he even won two on the pony!"

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