Listowel decimatedby 36 non-runners
No less than 33 of them were due to the ground, Captain May refused to load in the second, Misteireach was withdrawn at the start in the fourth, Dare To Doubt came out of the fifth because of a passport irregularity, and, rather remarkably, eight of the 12 possibilities failed to meet their planned engagement in the Dr Louis O’Carroll Maiden Hurdle.
In the Bryan McMahon Race over a mile and six, Michael Hourigan’s well-backed False Economy turned over Dermot Weld’s market-leader, Notable Graduate. The favourite edged ahead for Nina Carberry early in the straight, but Hourigan’s daughter, Laura, timed it to perfection and the winner, surging ahead through the last fifty yards to score by half a length.
Commented Hourigan: “He’s a lovely horse, a dream to train and so versatile. He could go to Royal Ascot for a two and a half mile handicap.”
Hourigan then won the Jackie and Gene Handicap Hurdle with Dingaling, who was partnered by Mark Walsh. The six-year-old landed in front over the second last and quickly eased away to easily beat Enter The Indian.
“He will probably go for another handicap”, reported Hourigan. “He had a good run at Killarney, got his day and the better the ground the better he will be.”
The opening www.listowelraces.ie Median Auction Maiden produced an impressive winner in Jessica Harrington’s One Fine Day.
The daughter of Choisir caught the eye on her debut at Navan — on a completely different surface — but handled the ground here in great style.
Always travelling sweetly in the hands of Fran Berry, One Fine Day eased ahead over a furlong down and was soon clear to score by over four lengths.
Berry was on the mark as well aboard Charles O’Brien’s Stocktons Wing in the Listowel Whit Weekend Handicap.
Berry was seen to real advantage, waiting until well into the straight before launching his challenge.
He arrived up the centre of the track and Stocktons Wing did the rest, easing clear inside the furlong pole.
Tony Mullins’ Naked Cowboy, who often flattered to deceive in the past, has got his act together of late and benefited from a powerful Shane Foley drive to take the St John’s Literary Handicap. The five-year-old went off favourite, but looked to have plenty to do for most of the journey.
Foley got it right, however, and Naked Cowboy swept through late to collar the flattering Mountain Mama, the verdict a neck.
Said Mullins: “He made hard work of it. Shane felt the ground was as heavy as he wants, although I always thought that’s what he wanted. We will now try him in something similar.”
Foley completed a double when riding another strong finish to take the George Fitzmaurice Handicap on Joe Murphy’s Rock on Ciara.
Essentially, this was a case of more of the same, with Foley pouncing late to grab the front-running Swerve close home. Murphy said of the mare — in foal to Rip Van Winkle: “She is tough and honest and that’s what got her through.”
There were only four left in the Dr Louis O’Carroll Maiden Hurdle, with punters thumping Van Diemens Land in from 4-6 to 8-15.
But those who invested could never have felt very comfortable. His jumping was moderate and he was beaten going to two out.
Eventual winner, Farandooney, was in front soon after the flight and readily delivered for Alan Crowe.
He is trained by Shane Duffy in Co Laois, whose last winner was on this track with Hello Man in September of 2010.
Mary Buttimer, who has held a licence for seven years and trains at Araglen, near Kilworth, Co Cork, had her first winner on the racecourse when Knockaunroe took the Croom House Stud Maiden Hurdle.
Ridden by Sean Allen, Knockaunroe edged ahead over two out and was soon nicely clear of Lady Samphire. It was a third on the track for 25-year-old Allen, who also comes from Araglen and his first over flights.
Long odds-on Park Ranger, ridden from behind by Alan Crowe, was trying to close down the principals when falling at the penultimate obstacle.
