The Big Westerner lights up Limerick to lead a nationwide four-timer for De Bromhead
BIG GAME HUNTER: The Big Westerner and Darragh O'Keeffe win the Lyons Of Limerick Jaguar Land Rover Novice Hurdle (Grade 2). Pic: Healy Racing Photo
An unexposed but exciting mare The Big Westerner proved a convincing winner of the Grade 2 Lyons Of Limerick Jaguar Land Rover Novice Hurdle in Limerick, highlight of an across-the-card four-timer for trainer Henry de Bromhead, on the mark at all three St.Stephen’s Day meetings.
The Westerner mare, whose only previous experience came in a Ballycahane point-to-point and a Punchestown maiden hurdle, stayed on dourly to beat Mozzies Sister by more than four lengths in this test of stamina.
“The Marigas have been very good to me and I’m delighted that they have another good mare,” said winning rider Darragh O’Keeffe, “It was a messy race. We were expecting a nice pace, but my mare got lit up for the first few furlongs before she relaxed and, every time she saw a hurdle, she tended to latch on.
“She’ll be better in a better, more competitive race. She’s a classy mare, with plenty of gears, quick over her hurdles, with plenty of scope.”
On a day when Workahead (Mile O’Connor) delivered for de Bromhead in Leopardstown, Sean Flanagan provided the Knockeen handler with a maiden hurdle double at Down Royal.
The Robcour-owned hurdling debutante Air Of Entitlement justified 5/2 favouritism in the opening INH Stallion Owners EBF Maiden Hurdle at the northern venue, prompting Flanagan to comment: “She jumped fantastic and had loads left – she couldn’t have won any easier.”
Flanagan had a straight-forward task on board 2/7 hot-pot Downmexicoway who made all for an easy, ten-lengths victory over Scalpnagoon in the Connolly’s RED MILLS Irish EBF Auction Maiden Hurdle.
“It was a weak enough race, but he jumped from hurdle to hurdle and finished really strong.” Local trainer Eric McNamara took the training honours in Limerick with a 44/1 double.
Beaten a half-length in the race last year, Millstream Lady, ridden by the trainer’s son and assistant Conor, stayed on dourly to get the better of Phils Choice in the Mr Binman Mares Handicap Hurdle.
A day short of 40 years since saddling his first winner (For Jon, at the only Limerick track in Greenpark), McNamara declared: “That was a good performance. She’s not a big mare and it was a good effort wo under 11-12.”
The McNamara double was completed in fortunate circumstances by Dream In The Sky (Calum Hogan) in the BRC McMahon Reinforcements Handicap Chase. The 7/2 shot appeared to be struggling to get on terms with Thelonglad when the latter crashed at the second last, leaving Hogan’s mount to beat Birdsandthebees.
On a day when he won a first King George with Banbridge in Kempton, Joseph O’Brien took the opening Aqua Process Solutions 3-Y-0 Maiden Hurdle with the experienced Out For A Stroll, ridden by 7lb. claimer Peter Smithers.
Having her fourth start over obstacles and wearing first-time cheekpieces, the JP McManus-owned Churchill filly justified hefty support into 9/4 favouritism, holding the late effort of Bacchanalian.
Paul Nolan was another trainer to hit the target at more than one meeting, doubling-up with An Peann Dearg (Sean O’Keeffe) in Leopardstown and the Jordan Gainford-ridden Release The Beast in Limerick’s O’Kelly Brothers Demolition Rated Novice Chase.
The David Christie-trained five-year-old Big Interest looked an exciting prospect when landing the Metcollect Oil Recycling Hunters Chase, beating last year’s winner and slight odds-on favourite Its On The Line by six lengths.
“He’s only five and will improve a lot from this,” said a delighted Christie, “It was a very good performance for a young horse making his racecourse debut. He could go to Naas in February and we’ll see after that.”
Earlier, first-time blinkers and an enterprising ride from James Smith saw the Ian Donoghue-trained St Denis’s Well make all to justify 2/1 favouritism in the Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Hurdle, the gelding’s third win at this venue.
