LOCAL trainer Eric McNamara registered a Limerick treble on Tuesday, continuing his good recent form. McNamara’s West Of Bally (2/5 favourite) began by winning the opening Conference & Banqueting Facilities Maiden Hurdle, when scoring easily under Calum Hogan.

Racing behind the leaders, West Of Bally appeared to be briefly outpaced at the third last but his finishing effort was strong, and he scored easily by 15 lengths from Castle Croiuil.

McNamara said: “We were delighted with his last run in Galway (when fifth) where he showed huge improvement from Listowel. On paper, today’s race looked to be very poor, so I felt his Galway run might be good enough to win it.

“He had been very well schooled by Willie Murphy, who had him point-to-pointing, and we’ll see what happens after this.

“Hopefully the handicapper won’t be too hard on him and he could come back here at Christmas. His four owners are divided between Patrickswell and Askeaton, they’re all here today and even brought the wives!”

’Absolute dinger’

McNamara later provided jockey Patrick O’Brien with a double, beginning with Lenjoleur De Palma’s (11/4 favourite) eight-length success in the Limerick Races On Facebook Handicap Hurdle.

Placed third at the course last month, the ex-English-trained four-year-old improved to lead at the second last and won easily from Onefortheditch.

Regarding the Paddy and Anne Kennedy-owned winner, McNamara commented: “I thought he had consistent form and he was recommended to me by an Englishman Ian Anderson who I used to train for, and he owned half of him.

“He is very straightforward, is an absolute dinger to jump and I just warned Paddy that this horse had boot, and to take his time. I told him not to go to the front too soon and the horse got there too soon the last day.”

Hat-trick

McNamara’s treble and jockey O’Brien’s double was completed in the Follow Us On Instagram Handicap Hurdle with the John Earls-owned Hees Dynamite (11/4 favourite), who led at the second last and scored comfortably from Roc My Haarth.

McNamara stated: “He had been working well before Galway and worked really well again before today’s race so we were quietly confident, although a little worried about the ground.

“He ploughed his way through the ground and is an improving horse. He’ll go back over fences here at Christmas.

“The horses are all in great shape, they’re all healthy and well and we now have to try and keep them that way. It has been a great day and I’m delighted for everyone.”

SHANNON-based owner/trainer Michael McDonagh was on the mark in the Mr Binman Christmas Festival Handicap Hurdle as Happy Dreams scored by 20 lengths on seasonal reappearance.

Ridden by Ryan Treacy, Happy Dreams disputed the lead for much of the contest and, along with runner-up Cosmo Renfron, went well clear from the fourth last. Happy Dreams led from the second last and maintained his strong gallop to score easily.

McDonagh was represented by his assistant Jamie Ivors, who reported: “That was brilliant, he just seems to love this place and has never been out of the first three here. He loves soft ground and had run well in his previous run in March.

“We were starting today at our local track and thought he was fit without being fully ready, as we hadn’t brought him away anywhere for a gallop. Today’s race was competitive for its grade and we were carrying top weight, but he can go on that ground where others can’t.

“We have a couple to run away during the winter and some have run well and won already, so we’re trying to keep them rocking.”

Winning tune

Trainer John Ryan has high hopes for his Piccolo Player (8/1), who scored nicely on just his second career start in the Adare Manor Opportunity Maiden Hurdle.

Ridden by Michael Kenneally, the son of Vadamos tracked the leaders, improved to lead at the second last and held on to score by a length and a quarter from Torps.

An impressed Ryan reported: “It is great for Tommy (James, owner/breeder) who has had a few horses with me and this one is the best one since Lucid Dreams. He is still raw and we’ll look for a little novice hurdle somewhere now.”

Enniscorthy-based James, who previously trained winners in his own name, added: “He is a lovely big horse and is still a big baby. He had a lovely run the first day, which crowned him. This is hopefully the horse to replace Lucid Dreams.”

PHILIP Rothwell was on the mark with his bargain buy Doyen Magic (4/1 joint-favourite) registering a second success for the trainer and the Curb Your Enthusiasm Syndicate, in the Panoramic Restaurant (Mares) Handicap Hurdle.

Ridden by Dylan Robinson, Doyen Magic made all to score by four lengths from Music Of Life.

Rothwell reported: “She has been a bargain buy and was one I had seen and followed. She cost just 2,500 pounds and has now won twice for us.

“I follow a lot of the ex-pointers and horses-in-training, as that’s my job, and I now stay away from ex-flat horses. I’m trying to find an angle to just win races.”

He added “I met her owners, who are from Sligo and Mayo, at Downpatrick one day where they asked me to look out for a fun horse.

“I found this one to lease to them and next, she’ll go back over fences here at Christmas.”

The concluding Limerick Ladies Pro-Am INH Bumper was won in some style by the Pat Doyle-trained, Claire Farrell-bred Mossy Way (5/4), which routed his rivals to score on seasonal reappearance.

For sale

Ridden by Emily Costello, Mossy Way went well away from his rivals in the home straight, to score by 27 lengths from Lord Lackendarra.

Jack Doyle, representing his father, reported: “We have always really liked him and while he had a great first run, we then ran him back too soon here last Christmas.

“We put him away after his last run and we were expecting him to do that today. He has a big engine and is for sale. We had him ready for a point-to-point but decided to go for a bumper as we thought he’d have no problem doing that.”