Faltering gallops to glory
McNamara’s previous wins in the race came with Ponmeoath in 2007 and 2008 and, for good measure, he saddled the second as well on this occasion, Questions Answered.
“It is great to see this horse coming back to what he was’, said McNamara. “He promised to be good, but for no particular reason lost his way.
“This has been a lucky race for us and Ponmeoath (finished eighth) was running in the National for the sixth time today and for the ninth time in all at the festival.’
The complexion of the contest changed when the bold front-running Whodoyouthink fell when holding a healthy lead four from home.
Wellforth was left in the lead, but turning in to face the second last Mullins made his move and went for glory. Said Mullins: “I tipped away down the inside and it is great to win a race like this over fences.’
Start Me Up tried to close him down, but made too many mistakes on the way round and they took their toll, as Questions Answered swept through to grab second.
Continuing McNamara said: “He hasn’t been running well for a while, but picked the right day to come back to form.
“When we got the call at 11.00 this morning that he was to get in (was second reserve), he was always going to run.
“He handled the ground, but having only 9-12 to carry was a big plus. That was a fabulous, fabulous drive by Danny.
“I rang his father, Tony, and asked if Danny would ride. Tony did me a turn before and I wanted to return it.
“I love Listowel and think it is the first racecourse I ever came to. I always target this race, if I have a horse good enough to run in it.’
Asked as to future plans for Faltering Fullback, McNamara immediately retorted: “today was the plan.’
Caduceus went off favourite, but blundered at the first, was hampered at the sixth and was out of contention when pulled after the tenth. English challenger, David Pipe’s Premier Dane, fell at the seventh.
Chamonix completed a hat-trick of successes when running the opposition ragged in the Listed Edmund And Josie Whelan Memorial Listowel Stakes.
He is Camelot’s lead horse and was sent to the front from the start by Joseph O’Brien. The pilot gradually increased the pace from the four-furlong pole and this was over early in the straight.
Said Joseph: “He is tough and genuine and handled the ground, but will be better on nicer ground. He is a horse going places, is big and raw and will be a much better next season.’
Whatever Jacksays, who found two miles in the Galway Hurdle against him, came back to his best in the four furlongs further Ballygarry House Hotel Novice Hurdle.
Surprisingly easy in the market — he looked far and away the best horse in the contest — Oliver McKiernan’s charge delivered in style.
Robbie Colgan allowed him bowl along from the start and it was in the bag a fair way out, as the winner powered clear over the last two to beat Too Scoops by five and a half lengths.
Said McKiernan: “That’s the toughest ground he has ever run on and we weren’t sure how he’d handle it, but it’s the same for them all.
“He will now run at Tipperary and will be finished as a novice then. He will have a break after that and come back at Christmas.’
Colls Corner, trained by Michael Barry in Fermoy, ran away with the Seamus Mulvaney Handicap Chase.
Confidently handled by Davy Condon, Colls Corner led coming away from three out to score by seven and a half lengths.
Commented Barry: “It is great to have a winner at the Listowel festival. He handled the ground and we’ll see where we go from here.’
Dermot Weld struck for the first time this week when Secret Recipe showed much greater resolution than Hall Of Mirrors in the Listowel Arms Hotel EBF Maiden.
Hall Of Mirrors went off favourite and had the run of the race in front, looking the likely winner for most of the straight.
But Secret Recipe was soon closing him down for Pat Smullen and powered ahead near the line to score by half a length.
“He’s not a bad horse, but I was very fearful of the ground’, reported Smullen.
The market principals — both were heavily backed — fought out the finish of the MSD Animal Health Maiden Hurdle, with Barry Geraghty driving Ted Veale to beat Mumbo Jumbo and National hero, Danny Mullins, by a nose.
Tony Martin trains Ted Veale and reported: “He jumps quick and fast, but was always doing too much and will be better on better ground.’
Pat Hughes’ dual point-to-point winner, Teelin Star, so disappointing at Fairyhouse on his racecourse debut in April, was seen in a far better light when making all of the running to land the Bumper in the hands of Colman Sweeney.
Said Hughes: “He is not in very long and it will be straight over fences for him now.’
Entering the final furlong Susiescot appeared certain to take the Exchange Inn Ballybunion and Kevin Broderick’s Bar Listowel Handicap.
But suddenly towards the outside Shane Foley conjured a ferocious late spurt from Ondeafears and, remarkably, she won going away.
Michael Halford’s five-year-old was far from neglected in the market — finding 9-2 from 6-1.
nThe attendance was a highly satisfactory 25,940, compared to 26,572 a year ago. The bookmakers held €1,074,200, as against €1,230,654 last year.
