THERE was a huge cheer for Ella Shanahan as she partnered her first points winner – on her first ever ride – aboard ‘In Excelsis Deo’ in The Boyce Brothers Open (Michael O’Shaughnessy Memorial) at Askeaton Races.
She overturned the long odds-on favourite ‘Its On The Line.’
The eight-year-old French-bred is likely to head back to the track when there is decent spring ground, according to trainer Enda Bolger of Bruree.
There was a lovely win at the meeting for Bruff trainer Jack Bennett with ‘Start In The West’ (ridden by Cal Shine), while Lough Gur handler Seamus Murnane scored with Dromleigh (David Doyle).
Multiple-time champion jockey Derek O’Connor guided home the opening couple of winners, namely ‘Crystal Waves’ and ‘Moltezuma’, for respective trainers Sam Curling and Ellmarie Holden.
‘Black Dakota’, part-owned by Paul Mullins of Ardagh, won for trainer/jockey Mick Winters and Andy Burke-Ott.