LIMERICK’S hugely successful Student Raceday attracted 10,000 on Thursday with the Rachael Blackmore-partnered, colourfully named Crowsatedappletart receiving a hero’s welcome after winning the Locke Burger Handicap Hurdle for trainer Michael Winters.

Blackmore secured two good leaps at the final two flights, which helped secure success for the Paul Mullins-owned gelding, which is referred to by his fans simply as ‘The Crow’.

Apple tarts

Owner Mullins, from Ardagh, explained: “During Covid myself and my partner Jane went to visit two aunts in Ballydesmond and we took two apple tarts.

“We dropped them off outside their doors, one aunt ate the whole tart but we got a text message from the other one saying ‘crows ate the apple tart’. When I saw the text I said that’s the name!”

Winters added: “I think it is a terrible name, a horrible name! That’s Rachael’s first winner for me and she actually robbed us once at Tramore, when Darragh O’Keeffe (jockey) was only a young fella.

“Crowsatedappletart is a character and Rachael rode him the last day when he stayed on after we gave her so many orders. We all kept our traps shut today and left her at it. He has a nice mark for fences now.”

The concluding Storm The Stars EBF Bumper provided Willie Mullins with his 200th winner of the season, as Junta Marvel (85/40) scored readily on debut under the champion trainer’s son Patrick Mullins.

Afterwards Mullins junior reported: “That’s 200 wins for the yard this season, our best was 212 so hopefully we can beat that. We’ve had a brilliant season, it’s not over yet with Fairyhouse, Aintree and Punchestown ahead.

“Junta Marvel was a little keen early on but we got to pick a nice strip of ground. Being by Masked Marvel, she loved the ground. John Turner bought her as a three-year-old and while I’m not sure she’ll replace Billaway, he’ll have plenty of fun with her.”

GORDON Elliott won the opening two races and also the first race at Naas, as Media Naranja and So Des Flos scored at the Munster venue.

Bred by Davy Russell’s Whitebarn Farming Ltd and now carrying the colours of Noel and Valerie Moran’s Bective Stud, Media Naranja justified strong 4/5 favouritism in beating Heather Bear by three and a quarter lengths.

Winning jockey Corey McGivern reported: “Media Naranja is a lovely tough, honest filly and is really progressive. You probably won’t see her at her best until she steps up in trip so I made plenty use of her today. She is very good to jump and galloped to the line well.

“That’s my 11th winner and Gordon (Elliott) has been very good to me and I can’t thank him and Bective Stud enough.”

Elliott completed his Limerick double with the Denis O’Regan-partnered, Mike Grech-owned So Des Flos (9/4) in the Supermac’s Maiden Hurdle.

O’Regan said: “I tried to keep it simple as I thought it might get tactical and he wouldn’t be a horse for a tactical race. I had been riding Castle Field Boy (runner-up) on his last few runs and was nervous of him when he came upsides me, but my lad had a little more today.

“He is a fine big horse and you wouldn’t expect him to be as nimble as he is over his hurdles. He is a proper chaser.”

The well-bred Henning (13/2) registered a third career win in the Shannsoft Computer Networks Novice Handicap Hurdle, scoring for trainer Denis Hogan, breeder/owner Rob Hennelly and jockey Daniel King.

“She was in and out last year and she had a few blips and issues this year too but we think they’re ironed out now,” Hogan said. “She’ll go to Punchestown now for the listed novice hurdle on Tuesday as it will be her last chance to get blacktype as a novice.

“Both the mare’s family and the Hennellys have been unbelievable for me and her half-sisters Moyhenna won a Grade 2 chase here in the past and Moskovite was also good.

“There are two more sisters coming soon, all from the same mare (Moskova).”

CHAMPION trainer Willie Mullins has been critical of inconsistencies in the IHRB’s ‘like-for-like’ ruling for replacement jockeys, and may have had a point with the running of the Mollys Late Bar Handicap Hurdle, won by Alpesh Amin (4/1 favourite).

Jockey Conor McNamara, a full professional, received an earlier fall and missed the ride on Alpesh Amin with replacement rider Mark McDonagh’s 5lb claim having a big impact in the outcome, as the winner battled to a neck success.

Winning trainer Eric McNamara reported: “Conor (his son) was a bit dazed but is okay and I had quite a bit of explaining to do to the stewards to get Mark (McDonagh) on the horse but they were understandable.

“Mark had been placed on the horse twice in the past so was the obvious candidate and if Conor wasn’t riding him, Mark would have. But a big thank you to the stewards.

“He is a Flemensfirth, is going the right way and will jump a fence in time. I’m delighted for Olivia Long who has been a great patron and is a wonderful woman and huge thanks to her.”

Kings Halo (11/1) managed to survive a stewards’ enquiry to land the J.J. Kavanagh & Sons Handicap Hurdle, scoring for trainer James Dullea, jockey Danny Mullins and the Kings Halo Partnership.

The son of Fame And Glory edged right on the run-in, bumping runner-up Magic Conqueror, but grimly held off the slightly faster-finishing runner-up, for a neck win. Kings Halo held the race following an enquiry but Mullins received a three-day careless riding suspension.

Dullea reported: “It is great to get the win and I thought he’d have done this a couple of months ago but did it today. He disappointed on his previous run at Down Royal when things didn’t happen for him and putting a tongue-tie on him today was a help.

“Danny gave him a great ride and I’m delighted for the syndicate who have been very patient with him as he has had problems along the way. We’ll go for something similar next.”