ON his second visit to the track, Harry Cobden rode his first winner at Limerick, when Carried With Love (2/1) landed the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Cailin Alainn Mares Hurdle, over two miles, seven furlongs. The grey daughter of Camelot, a maiden hurdle winner for Joseph O’Brien, got a nice tow into the race from Millstream Lady and World Of Fortunes, who had finished first and second in the 2025 renewal. The three were just about in line two out and a flying leap at the last sealed victory in the listed contest for J.P. McManus’ five-year-old, who scored by a length and a quarter from Millstream Lady.
“She is lovely and we were delighted with her win over fences in Ballinrobe the last day, and again today,” said trainer Jonathan Sweeney.
Bumper for Harrington
A half-sister to Jamie Snowden’s Cheltenham festival winner White Noise, All Noise (3/1 joint-favourite) made a winning debut under rules in the Irish EBF (Mares) (Pro-Am) INH Flat Race over two miles and a furlong. A point-to-point winner for Pat Turley, the daughter of Maxios, trained by Jessica Harrington for Dan Kiely, led two furlongs out and scored by two lengths from The Ocean Queen.
“I got a call from Kate Harrington at 9.30am on Thursday morning to ride her, and wasn’t expecting it,” said rider Patrick Mullins.
“I actually had three wisdom teeth extracted that same day, so I’m blaming that for putting up 1lb overweight!
“Kate said she had worked very well and, while Harry Swan had done all the work on her, he had to ride for Gordon Elliott. She was well bought for that money (€150,000) and will jump hurdles and fences.”
Maiden win
The 7/4 favourite Jennyfromtheblock landed the maiden hurdle for unplaced horses, over two miles, three furlongs, in the hands of Mark Walsh.
The Harzand mare, fifth at Listowel on her previous outing, improved to lead before two out and repelled the persistent challenge of Born De Ceres by half a length.
“She stays really well and I’m delighted for the Whites, who live locally in Adare,” said trainer Eric McNamara.
“Martin had her in training with Ian McCarthy when she won her point-to-point, and sent her to me afterwards.”
Buster sets up Byrnes double
BUNKER Buster (6/4) was a ready winner of the four-year-old maiden hurdle over two miles, one furlong for the Byrnes family.
Philip Byrnes allowed the free-going Kingston Hill gelding to stride on in front with over a circuit to race, and the grey soon went clear before staying on to defeat Slade Harbour by five and a half lengths.
“He was very free, but that’s the type of horse he is,” said the winning trainer Charles Byrnes.
“I’d say there’s no point in trying to settle him in behind horses now, and he’s a front-runner at this stage.”
Byrnes completed a double in his own Byrnes Bloodstock Limited colours when Political Stance (10/1) took the first division of the handicap hurdle over two miles, five furlongs.
The Libertarian gelding led after three out and scored comfortably by seven and a half lengths from Tasmanian Girl.
It was jockey Tom Kelly’s first winner for the trainer, who explained: “Philip had a ride for our neighbour (William O’Doherty, on fourth-placed Dalmatic), so won’t be too happy, but I’m delighted to give Tom a winner.
“I’ve known him all his life, he had been with me years ago and now comes in three mornings a week.
“I wanted to keep Tom on this horse, as he gave me very good feedback with him the last day, and told me to put on a tongue-tie, cheekpieces and to bounce him out. It made all the difference.”
Comfortable
The 6/4 favourite Loi Des Jeux ran out a comfortable winner of the second division of the handicap hurdle over two miles, five furlongs.
J.J. Slevin’s mount hit the front entering the straight and went away to defeat Ardera Gun by four and a half lengths.
“He came on from his run in Listowel,” said Brian Hassett, son of winning trainer Donie Hassett.
“Darragh McDonagh (owner) will have fun with him and I wouldn’t rule out going chasing this season.”
Magnussen hits landmark
A NATIVE of northern Germany, Maike Magnussen recorded her first success at listed level when Tountinna (10/1) got the better of the market principals in the Book Panoramic Restaurant Novice Hurdle, over two miles, five furlongs.
Darragh O’Keeffe’s mount, a homebred by Order Of St George, headed market leader Dallas Star before two out and stayed on well to defeat that rival by six lengths.
“This is my career highlight,” said Magnussen, who is based in Newtown, near Nenagh.
“I would have been happy with a place today, but she travelled like a dream and jumped like a stag.
“Seamus McKeogh is from Killaloe and is a very good owner with me. He has a foal full-brother to Tountinna going to the sales soon.”
The trainer was questioned by the stewards on the apparent improvement in form of her winner compared with its recent form. The trainer reported that her charge was showing signs of being in season the morning after her last run and may have come on from that run where she was coming back from a break.
First success
Philip Fenton’s Kome Dans Un Reve (14/1) registered a first success in the Master Chefs Handicap Hurdle over two miles and a furlong.
Owned by the trainer’s wife Patricia Hogan, the son of No Risk At All led before two out under Niall Moore to beat penalised Punchestown winner Build A Bridge by a length and a half.
Fenton reported: “He is a good leaper, is nimble and quick, and I think he’ll be okay on winter ground. We’ll keep him on the go and he is for sale.”