Sainte Tartare strikes for in-form Mullins

SMOOTH SUCCESS: Sainte Tartare and Danny Mullins en route to winning the Limerick Racecourse Mares' Maiden Hurdle. Picture: Healy Racing

Willie Mullins, who had 10 winners at the last four National Hunt meetings in Ireland, sent just one representative to Limerick and his charge, Sainte Tartare, had little trouble adding to the yard’s spoils in the Limerick Racecourse Mares’ Maiden Hurdle.

Danny Mullins felt it wasn’t ideal to have to make the running, but when there was no early pace, he allowed his mount to stride on, and she was never in much danger thereafter.

“It was a good performance from her, she ran out an easy winner in the end,” said the winning jockey. “Being a Saint Des Saints mare, she’s one that will be doing her best work over a bit further. She jumped well. I was able to fill her up coming down the hill and put the race to bed once I asked the question.

“It wasn’t what we wanted, to make the running, having been keen the last day, but a good, solid mare like that, if need be, I wasn’t afraid to make it.” 

Sometimes history can repeat itself, and there was certainly a feeling of déjà vu when Robinstown set off in front in the opener, the Limerick Racecourse Claiming Hurdle, a race he won in similar style in 2024.

As is his wont, Cian Collins’ horse set off in front, opened up a clear lead from an early stage, and when jockey Tiernan Power Roche, deputising for Carl Millar, asked him for extra, he readily kept all comers at bay. It was a significant success for the winning rider as it was his 25th on the track, resulting in his 7lb claim being cut to 5lbs.

There was a dramatic conclusion to the Follow Limerick Racecourse On Instagram Maiden Hurdle, which went the way of easy-to-back favourite Bowensonfire. Gordon Elliott’s five-year-old, ridden by Sam Ewing, held every chance jumping the last but Beckistine, who had just edged ahead going to the obstacle, crashed out of the race, leaving the market leader to come home clear.

Assistant trainer Lisa O’Neill said: “He’s a grand horse, and he seemed to do things a lot more professionally today. He settled a lot better, and Sam got him jumping really well. It’s good to get the win on the board, and hopefully he can build on it. He’s probably a horse that will be better on nicer ground.” 

Elliott later completed a double when Road Exile took the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Auction Bumper. The Gigginstown House Stud-owned five-year-old won his point-to-point in November and was beaten a nose on his only previous run in a bumper, which was also at this track. Having travelled well under Josh Williamson this time, he picked up in the testing ground to race away from Found A Diamond and Watchful Protector.

Moudan wasn’t winning out of turn when taking the Limerick Races On Thursday March 13 Handicap Hurdle. Ciarán Murphy’s horse, ridden positively by Eoin Walsh, appeared to be helped by the presence of A Nod To Getaway when that one arrived upsides on the turn for home. The two went clear from there but Moudan found most and won with a little to spare.

Murphy said: “He’s a grand horse. He’s met a few along the way, but he’s strengthened this year. I know he’s six, but he’s a Mount Nelson and has needed time, and I’d say we’ll have a bit of fun with him now.

“I’d say he met two the last day (at Clonmel), and the form has worked out. We probably won’t hang round over hurdles now, we’ll tip on over fences. He’s owned and bred by Pat McCormack, a local man who has always been very good supporters of ours.” 

The Arthur O’Grady-trained Maciver, who was a wide-margin winner of a chase at Tramore on New Year’s Day, made a successful drop back to smaller obstacles for the Become A Member @ Limerick Handicap Hurdle. In a test of resolution, the Cian Quirke-ridden 3-1 favourite showed a great attitude to get on top late for a narrow victory over Mullanour and dead-heaters Roc My Haarth and Winter Carnival.

There was an exciting finish to the Limerick Novice Handicap Hurdle, in which On Your Way also made a successful drop back to hurdling. Ridden by Seán O’Keeffe for Charles Byrnes, he travelled sweetly into the straight but had to be hard ridden to edge out the game The Dancing Tree, which he did by just a head.