LOCAL trainer Eric McNamara enjoyed a dream result in the featured BOYLE Sports JT McNamara Munster National Handicap Chase (Grade 3) at Limerick on Sunday, as French Dynamite led home a stable 1-2.

Sent off 16/1 under Paddy O’Brien, the gelding travelled strongly in mid-division before taking closer order on the final circuit. Coming through to lead after the penultimate fence, the 10-year-old kept on strongly to hold stablemate Weveallbeencaught by a length and a quarter.

Eric McNamara said: “I’m over the moon and couldn’t have asked for a better result. I have two very sporting owners and Shane Carmody lives in Adare, so is local and has been a great owner to us.

“Also myself and Tadhg Moynihan (owner - Weveallbeencaught) go back a long time. They are two smashing out-and-out three-mile chasers and, while some had doubts that French Dynamite wouldn’t stay, I hadn’t any doubts.

“Both horses could go to the Paddy Power, but I’d like to think at least one of them could turn up in an Aintree Grand National.”

June kick-starts treble

Elsewhere, trainer Henry de Bromhead dominated the card with a treble. Well supported from 15/8 into 4/5 favourite, Walks In June made a winning debut over flights when keeping on well to take the Irish Wire Products (C & G) Maiden Hurdle.

Making most under Darragh O’Keeffe, the Barry Maloney-owned gelding asserted from two out, keeping on well to win by two and three quarter lengths.

De Bromhead said: “He is a nice horse who was very raw. He ran very well in a bumper at Leopardstown last Christmas, before disappointing at Fairyhouse. We have liked him at home and Darragh said he’d come on plenty. He is a big jumping horse and he is coming at the right time now for this job. We’ll dip into a novice now and see where he is at. The dream is still alive and he will come on plenty from today and a step up in trip will also suit.”

Double up

Kir completed a double for de Bromhead when taking the John Thomas McNamara Series (Q.R.) Handicap Hurdle. Sent off 7/2 in the colours of Mrs Liz Prowting, the five-year-old was always prominent under Josh Williamson.

Leading from halfway, the gelding asserted after three out, keeping on well for a three-and-three-quarter-length win. De Bromhead said: “He is a lovely big horse and Josh gave him a super ride. He jumped brilliantly and just idled in front.

“I was a bit nervous coming to the second last, but after idling a bit, he stayed on well. I think he will come forward from the run and we’ll step him back up in trip again. We’ll look for something similar or a rated novice next.”

JULY Flower completed a treble for de Bromhead when leading home a stable ‘1-2-3’ in the concluding Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Beginners Chase.

Sent off 8/15 favourite under Darragh O’Keeffe, the Duncan Angove-owned mare led two out, powering right away to beat stablemate Tareze 11 lengths, with Mystical Goddess third.

De Bromhead said: “She was really good and looked electric in her jumping at some, but sketchy at others. She was a high-rated mare and looked brilliant there. We might aim for Cheltenham in November next and, while I was going three miles with her, I’m starting to wonder should I drop back to two.”

Bumper winner Midleton Rare bounced back to form to win the LubriSyn Handicap Hurdle for owners the Four Provinces Of Ireland Syndicate, trainer Ian Donoghue and jockey Sam Ewing.

Sent off 5/1, the gelding headed Tir Og before the final flight, keeping on well to win by a length and three quarters. Donoghue said: “I had him as a four-year-old and we always liked him. He got sold to Dermot (McLoughlin, previous trainer) and won his bumper for Dermot.

“Then he was very disappointing, but I think he had some niggly problems. We got him about three months ago, he came in from his holidays, but was very bad with his feet so we owe that to our farrier, who did a great job.”

CHOSEN Comrade made it three wins from as many starts when easily landing the opening PwC Mares Maiden Hurdle. Successful in her sole point-to-point start, the filly won her bumper on Rules debut for Peter Fahey, before striking here at the first time of asking over hurdles. Travelling strongly throughout under Sam Ewing, the 6/4 chance came through to lead at the penultimate flight, staying on well to score easily by four lengths.

Fahey said: “It was a little bit of a relief and, while I always liked her, I can’t say she shows up massively at home. The way she did it today, you couldn’t but be impressed. Coming here, she was as fit as we could have her, but she’ll improve from it.

“Hopefully she ends up being a nice filly for those good mares’ races. I think she is a graded mare, as she has plenty of pace and her jumping is good. Paul (Leech - owner) has been lucky, but knows more about racing that any of us.”

Crows’ compensation

The Mick Winters-trained Crowsatedappletart won the STL Logistics Handicap Chase, for local owner Paul Mullins and Listowel jockey Gavin Brouder.

Beaten just a nose in an agonising photo-finish for his connections at the Listowel festival last month, the 5/1 chance raced behind the leaders and led entering the home straight, keeping on strongly to score by three lengths.

Winters reported: “He is a great horse but also has his own mind. At home he’d look back at you and slow down, so I suppose he keeps a bit for himself.

“As a young horse he wouldn’t handle that ground so it took a long time for him, and that is his trip.”