Limerick Racing News
Pythion justified the 11/8 favouritism with a snug triumph in the second division of the John B Keane Maiden Hurdle at Listowel on Monday, with Donie McInerney doing the steering for trainer Mick Winters.
On Tuesday, Cathal Landers recorded a double at Roscommon. He had to sit tight at the last as Gone Racing survived a last-flight blunder to claim the second division of the Roscommon Racecourse Handicap Hurdle for trainer Mark McNiff. He had the Kieran Purcell-prepped Fest Deiz prominent much of the way in the Athleague Handicap Hurdle too, taking up the running three out and wining by a cosy two lengths.
Billy Lee picked up a juicy spare on the Michael Browne-trained Logo Hunter in the Listed Midsummer Sprint Stakes at Cork on Wednesday and he delivered the progressive Brazen Beau three-year-old inside the final furlong to record a one-and-a-half-length victory. Later on, Richard O’Brien and Chris Hayes provided more Limerick success when 7/2 joint favourite Morph Speed won the Cork Derby, hitting the front at the furlong pole after a patient rid by Hayes and keeping market rival Federica Sophia at bay by three-quarters of a a length.
Hayes triumphed again when teaming up with Noel Meade, who has been enjoying his flat expeditions this season, and Female Approach, in the Patricia Hunt colours synonymous with so many of Meade’s star National Hunt horses over the years, showed excellent resolve to claim the second division of the La Bucca Restaurants Handicap under a forceful ride.
Michael Hourigan teamed up with Tom Hamilton to score in the second division of the Toals Bookmakers Qualified Riders’ Handicap Hurdle at Downpatrick on Saturday with Icee M B A. Hamilton settled the daughter of Yeats in mid-division before taking it up approaching the last and she stayed on well to prevail by a length and a quarter from Natural Breeze.
There was Flat racing in Limerick on Saturday and it was a day Wesley Joyce will never forget, Johnny Murtagh providing the young Moyross Youth Academy graduate his second career success in the Limerick Racecourse Handicap.
The Hayes brothers, Paddy and Chris got a thrill out of taking Division 2 of the Holden Plant Rentals Handicap at Gowran Park on Saturday with Gatsby Cap, Chris nabbing an early lead on the former Fozzy Stack charge and never seeing another rival.
Upcoming Fixtures
Kilbeggan – Monday, June 14 (First Race 4.40pm)
Gowran Park – Monday, June 14 (First Race 1.45pm)
Sligo – Tuesday, June 15 (First Race 5.20pm)
Wexford – Wednesday, June 16 (First Race 1.20pm)
Navan – Wednesday, June 16 (First Race 4.35pm)
Leopardstown – Thursday, June 17 (First Race 4.10pm)
Limerick – Friday, June 18 (First Race 4.30pm)
Down Royal – Friday, June 18 (First Race 1.50pm)
Down Royal – Saturday, June 19 (First Race 1.45pm)