SAMCRO was the headline act on a Listowel jumps card that saw a return of owners on Monday. The dual Cheltenham Festival winner could manage just sixth in the John J. Galvin Chase, behind the J.P. McManus-owned winner Darasso.

Darasso was an impressive winner on the day having been produced by his jockey Luke Dempsey to lead after the third last and in the end scored readily by seven lengths from Snow Falcon.

The Joseph O’Brien-trained gelding is himself a Grade 2 winner and Dempsey stated: “He is a good horse and did it nicely. I was eager enough to get ahead of (leader) Abbey Magic who was jumping right and the loose horse wasn’t helping me either.

“He was long at the last but came up for me and, in fairness, once he had hit the front he did it well in the end. It was a good performance.”

Happy owner

The opening Happy Retirement To John Oxx Mares Opportunity Maiden Hurdle went to the Gallagher-family owned Annie G.

Ridden by Hugh Morgan, the daughter of Getaway justified 2/7 favouritism when beating What Wonders Weave by 23 lengths and while winning trainer Henry De Bromhead wasn’t present, owner Henry Gallagher was, and later remarked: “It’s great to be here and today is our first time to see her run.

“Unfortunately with the restrictions my brother Richard couldn’t be here. He is half-owner with us and I’m sure he’s having a heart-attack at home at the moment!

“We didn’t expect much in Tipperary and then were disappointed at the end and she is named after my wife Ann Gallagher and we bred her.

“We’ve had winners here and there but this is our first nice filly. Henry rang us earlier and said she’d have every chance and should go well. It is quiet here but it is great to be out.”

Fenelon’s first provides welcome upturn for Shark

JOCKEY Shane Fenelon got off the mark as a professional in the Mike Lawlee Memorial Opportunity Handicap Hurdle on the Shark Hanlon-trained Woodbrook Boy, who scored at 33/1 despite being rated 29lbs higher over fences.

Fenelon made all on the returning son of Doyen and afterwards Hanlon reported: “I advised Shane to turn and said to him that I had plenty for the summer. He is a right good chap and has been with me a while and I said it was time to turn the wheel now and I’m delighted for him.”

Regarding his own recent misfortunes, the trainer added: “After the last two days I’ve had, I was nearly giving up. I lost two horses and another at home who broke his knee. I didn’t want to come here today but walking in today seeing the owners put a smile on my face. Fair dues to everyone who made it happen.

“This horse hadn’t run since October but was 100/1 and 80/1 this morning and I told the owners to back him as he couldn’t be out of the first three.”

The most valuable event on the card was the €21,000 Bryan MacMahon Handicap Hurdle which was won by the Mark Fahey-trained Place Des Vosges (100/30f), under jockey Mark Bolger.

Joint-owners Liam and Carol Rooney (from the North County Syndicate) were on hand to welcome their winner and afterwards trainer Fahey stated: “It was her first time over three miles and you don’t know unless you try it. Mark gave her a great ride.

“There is a two-mile handicap for her on Irish Derby weekend and she might go there.”

The concluding Dr Louis O’Carroll Bumper was won by the Mullins family’s Beret Rouge, which won comfortably at odds of 2/1.

Patrick Mullins wore his mother Jackie’s racing colours to victory and later reported: “My mother bought the dam and she won four and this is her first foal and her second Wearapinkribbon has also won.

“Jackie rides her out every day at home and deserves all the credit. It was Jackie who made Willie go back for a winners’ bumper so I owe her for that!

ONE-time smart flat performer Pythion (11/8f) returned to winning ways in the first divide of the John B. Keane Maiden Hurdle, scoring for trainer Michael Winters and jockey Donie McInerney.

Part-owners Paddy Scannell and his wife Bridget Scannell were present for the winner who races in the colours of David Spratt and afterwards Winters reported: “The ground was in beautiful order, it was drying and they watered it well last night. This horse has had leg trouble and we take him to Beale for the salt water.

“I was getting cold feet watching the race as they seemed to be jumping so fast but he measures his jumps and is a very kind horse.”

The opening division of the race was won by 16/1 shot Wouldn’t You Agree which overturned 8/13 favourite The Little Yank to score for trainer Eoin Griffin and jockey Mark McDonagh.

Griffin reported: “He’s not with me that long, about six weeks or two months and came out of Enda Bolger’s. I’m delighted to have him and he is a lovely horse who showed a bit of form in point-to-points. He’ll go for the summer and there is a two-and-a-half-mile novice at the Galway festival for him. It is Mark’s 20th birthday today and his mam is here as an owner today so they’re delighted.”

Five-hour journey

An 8/13 favourite which did win was Winged Leader in the Listowel Supporters Club Hunters Chase, having made a five-hour journey to the track from trainer David Christie’s Fermanagh base.

Ridden by Barry O’Neill, the seven-year-old won readily from Warriors Tale and afterwards Christie stated: “We were all set to go to Stratford with him but he got injured on the walker and cut his leg and bruised himself. I thought that would be it, so we’ve had a job getting him back to here.

“Next season I think I’ll aim him at Aintree, he goes on any ground, is only seven and is by Winged Love and they are late developers so you’d be hoping there is more to come.”