THE 110 Series Final Handicap Hurdle, In Memory Of Josephine Lyons was the feature race on the first day of Listowel’s Bank Holiday fixture and victory went to Embrace The Day (4/1) for trainer Gavin Cromwell and owner William Drew.

Fifth at Limerick just two days previously, the Fascinating Rock gelding went on after Silent Guardian fell two out and got home by half a length from Only For Our Man.

In an unusual incident, some panels were prematurely removed from the third-last hurdle which the entire field galloped through without jumping and, after an inquiry, the stewards referred the matter onto a Senior Racing Official for further investigation.

Winning jockey Eoghan Finegan commented: “He had been disappointing up until now but they went a good gallop and the step up in trip (to three miles) also helped him. He is a big awkward horse, so will come on when he fills out over the years and will be a nice horse going chasing.”

Iconic duo

In-form duo Henry de Bromhead and Darragh O’Keeffe combined for another double which was completed by Rockonliam (9/2) in the Insurance Wise Handicap Hurdle over two and a half miles.

Owned by the Cheeky Pups Syndicate, the brother to Scottish Grand National winner Captain Cody led before two to beat Garnacho by two and three-quarter lengths.

De Bromhead’s assistant Robbie Power reported: “He is a fine big horse and ran well at Leopardstown during Christmas. Darragh gave him a lovely ride, he settled after a couple of furlongs and got into a nice rhythm.

“When he came there he had a look around, but it was a good performance. He could progress into a nice chaser sometime but first we’ll see where we end up over hurdles.”

Gomez in the groove

Earlier, O’Keeffe had guided Basil Holian’s Gomez Addams (13/8) to victory in the Listowel Races Supporters Club Maiden Hurdle over two miles.

A bumper winner for Andy Slattery at last year’s Galway festival, the Hillstar gelding was having his first start over flights and raced handily from flagfall to beat Small Fry by a length.

“While he winged the second-last, he almost over-jumped it and was green going to the last, which he got underneath. It was a good performance and hopefully he can come on from it,” said the winning rider.

A GRADE 1 winner at Aintree last year, Murcia (6/4 favourite) had been disappointing in handicap company of late but got her head back in front when comfortably landed the Anglo Printers Remembering John H. Kierans Mares Hurdle.

The daughter of Doctor Dino, trained by Willie Mullins for Kenny Alexander, was always in her comfort zone in the two-mile contest and moved to the front two out before going on to win by a comfortable three lengths from Royal Hollow.

Jockey Brian Hayes, who travelled on to Tramore after this success and rode two more winners there, said: “She loved the nicer ground and it was a well-spotted race for her.

“She did it well and the flat track around here suited. She travelled and jumped everywhere, and really relaxed, which is important for her as she can be keen.”

At the age of 10, Le Fanu recorded a first win when taking the John Thomas McNamara Handicap Hurdle over two and a half miles. The 11/1 shot, ridden by Josh Williamson, pulled clear in the straight with Illtakehimmyself and got the better of that rival by two and a quarter lengths.

Doneraile trainer Brendan Walsh said afterwards: “Josh rides well and had ridden a winner for me previously as an amateur. Dermot and his son Richard (Walsh, owners) have been patient with this horse, as he had issues on-and-off with things.”

LISTOWEL’S current leading trainer Eoin McCarthy was on the mark with Burning Ability (9/4 favourite) in the the Eamon Foran Memorial Maiden Hurdle over two and a half miles.

Eoin Walsh’s mount looked held in second between the final two flights but was left in front when clear leader Speed For Fun crumpled on landing at the last, leaving Burning Ability to score by a length and three-quarters from Withbitofluk (six-day whip ban for Dylan Whelan).

McCarthy admitted: “Luck was on his side but he did miss the fourth-last hurdle, which cost him four or five lengths. I’m delighted for the Askeaton-based (Wise Guys) syndicate, who are a good racing bunch and they will party hard in the Top Of The Town bar tonight.”

Wide-margin success

The 10/11 favourite Tell The Boys recorded a facile success in the Oliver Broderick (Pro-Am) Fillies INH Flat Race over two miles.

She was a commanding 14-length winner from Vadique and led from pillar to post under Barry Stone for the Money For Jam Syndicate, who have owned some nice types in the past, including The Big Doyen.

Trainer Declan Queally enthused: “She ran away with it and from her work, I thought she had improved. She is fast and is a proper two-miler.

“The boys were unlucky with The Big Doyen, who had to be retired, and I had bought this filly, who had shown plenty, at Tattersalls, so told them she was theirs if they paid the €1,000 (purchase price) Tattersalls bill.

“She came cheap, so it is a great story and the pressure is off now. I’m delighted for the syndicate as they deserve this.”