THE Willie Mullins-trained Last Kingdom led home a 1-2 for owner J.P. McManus in the featured Listowel Races Supporters Club Lartigue Hurdle In Memory Of John Molyneaux (Listed Handicap).
Always up with the pace, the 15/2 chance led after three out, staying on well to beat Puturhandstogether by two and three quarter lengths. Jockey Paul Townend said: “I think the cheekpieces helped him sharpen up his jumping and also helped him travel throughout the race. I got the run of the race at the front end and, while I committed him plenty early, I was confident of him staying on that ground.
“Today was important for him as he had been a while finding his form, but he found it on the right day. He will probably end up running in those big handicap hurdles now.”
McCarthy doubles up
Trainer Eoin McCarthy landed the first leg of a double when Fast Felix ran out an easy victor of the Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Hurdle. Off the mark in a maiden hurdle at Killarney last time, the seven-year-old was sent off a 7/1 chance in the colours of Sean Maguire.
Ridden by Dingle jockey Thomas O’Connor, the gelding led two out, before going clear to score easily by three and a quarter lengths.
McCarthy said: “The form of his maiden hurdle win has stood up and his Killarney run was good enough to win this. Tom (O’Connor) is a lovely young fella, he comes in to me one day a week and he is going the right way. Sean and Brenda (Maguire, owners) are from Armagh and are huge supporters of my yard. Over the years, they have hugely bought into this festival meeting and this is a huge buzz for them, as they have loads of friends here.
“We are blessed with our staff at home and they are all very good. You are always leaning on people in this game, so it is great to see all the people getting a great kick from a winner from a local yard.”
Chaser in the making
McCarthy was back in the winners’ enclosure just over 40 minutes later, as Shadow Paddy ran out a comfortable winner of the Behans Horseshoe Bar, Restaurant and Townhouse Handicap Hurdle.
Twice successful earlier in the year, the five-year-old had looked in the grip of the handicapper of late.
However, that proved to be far from the case here, as the 9/2 favourite romped home by four lengths under Gary Noonan.
The successful trainer said: “His owners include TJ and Dave Ryan, who hurled for Limerick, and the whole syndicate (Complete Package Syndicate) are coming to Listowel since they were children, so this is a big meeting for them.
“He is a gorgeous, big, good looking horse and the only reason we were able to buy him for only €8,000 was nobody knew anything about the stallion (Shadow Gate).
“He will make a lovely chaser. I’ll talk to the boys, but he could go to Cheltenham in October.”
HENRY de Bromhead was another trainer to record a double on the card. Mossy Fen Park made the most of previous experience to land the Thorn Plant Hire Beginners Chase.
Tracking the leaders from the outset, jockey Darragh O’Keeffe moved second on the 11/4 chance after jumping three out. Heading leader Hitak approaching the last, the Fabulous Fillies Syndicate-owned gelding stayed on strongly to beat Oscars Brother by two lengths.
O’Keeffe said: “He is a fine big horse and we have always liked him. I won a maiden hurdle on him in Down Royal and he had two good runs over fences last season. He then had a setback but has strengthened up well since and I’m delighted for him to go and do that.”
Mister optimistic
De Bromhead completed a closing race double as 11/4 favourite Mister Pessimistic stayed on best under John Gleeson to land the concluding Kevin McManus Bookmaker INH Flat Race.
Leading into the straight, the Niall O’Leary-owned gelding kept on strongly to beat Saint Clovis by a length and three quarters.
Gleeson reported: “He travelled strongly everywhere, it was a nice performance and he won well. The lads were quite sweet on him and liked him at home.
“He had won a point-to-point nicely and is one that will stay well and is a nice horse for the future. His pedigree suggests he will stay and, with an obstacle in front of him, it could bring out more improvement.”
CARRIGMOORNASPRUCE made a winning start to life over jumps in the opening Buckley Agri New Holland Irish EBF Mares Maiden Hurdle. Sent off a well-backed 8/13 favourite under Michael Kenneally, the Old Fools Partnership-owned filly led after the first, making the rest to score by five and a half lengths.
It was a significant win for Kenneally, who was having his first ride as a professional, while the mare also picked up a €5,000 ITBA bonus. Declan Queally Junior said: “It is grand to get that out of the way and Michael’s 7lb claim is a help. She will go to Down Royal for a Grade 3 novice (in November) next and we’ll see after that. Her owners Mickey (Veale) and Tom (McCarthy) are farmers and love coming here. Michael has turned pro and is with us three days a week. I’m sure he’ll get those rides for bigger trainers in those big handicaps now as he is a steal for 7lb, so best of luck to him as he deserves it and is a good rider.”
Runner-up in the Cheltenham Festival Bumper, the John McConnell-trained Heads Up made an immediate impact on his debut over flights when taking the Connolly’s Red Mills Irish EBF Auction Maiden Hurdle.
Leading after the first flight, the 8/13 favourite made the rest under jockey Mark McDonagh to score by two lengths.
McConnell said: “It is a big relief as I felt sicker (with nerves) today than before Cheltenham. We always knew he was a really nice horse so we weren’t that shocked to see him run so well at Cheltenham.
“The owners (Darragh McDonagh, uncle of winning jockey) aren’t too far from here, so this was always the plan. We’ll go back to Cheltenham in November now which is a great meeting to go to.”