Gutsy Zanoosh takes Mares Novice in Limerick
Zanoosh and Brian Hayes win the Grade 3 Shannon Spray Mares Novice Hurdle in Limerick for the Winning Ways Reunion Syndicate. Pic: HEALY RACING
On a flying visit home from Cheltenham, Brian Hayes bagged a double in Limerick, highlighted by the gutsy victory of Zanoosh in the Grade 3 Boyle Sports Irish EBF Shannon Spray Mares Novice Hurdle.
Winner of a listed event at Navan last time, Zanoosh (7/4) stalked even-money favourite How’s Hannah as keen-going Carry On Heidi dictated the pace. And the race developed into a duel between the market leaders. And the Colm Murphy-trained, 130-rated Harzand mare prevailed by three-quarters of a length.
“It was very straightforward and worked out great,” said Hayes, “Willie’s mare was the one to beat and I followed her away. My mare handled the ground well and found plenty for pressure.
“She’s stepping forward all the time and thriving on her racing. Not many horses win three in a row, never mind four. And Colm is dynamite when he gets one like her.”
Hayes had implemented similar tactics on the Willie Mullins-trained filly Dshingis Desire who led home a 1-2 for Gigginstown House Stud in the John Buckley Engineering Ltd. 4-Y-0 Hurdle.
The Closutton filly, receiving 14lb. from the front-running runner-up, found enough on the run-in to score by a half-length, prompting Hayes to comment, “That was a nice performance in the ground. She settled and travelled well and picked-up for me.
“That was her third run for Willie and I expect her to keep improving. It’s been worth coming home from Cheltenham for today – I flew in this morning and I’m on a 7.30. flight tonight, heading back for two rides over there tomorrow.”
Successful in Cheltenham with Wodhooh, Gordon Elliott sparked an across-the-card double when Gigginstown-owned Panjandrum stepped-up on his two previous excursions over hurdles to take the Boyle Sports Home Of The Early Payout Maiden Hurdle.
The six-year-old was ridden by Josh Williamson, second on Franciscan Rock at Cheltenham on Wednesday, who acknowledged, “He travelled much better today – the pace of the race helped him – they went nice and slow.”
Trainer Oliver McKiernan notched his third winner of the week when Phillip Enright partnered One And Only (12/1), without headgear, to take the William Hill Each Way Extra Challenge Series Handicap Hurdle at the expense of Dalmatic and favourite Mickey Hulie.
The father and son combination of Paul and Jack Gilligan struck with joint top-weight Kings Hill (7/1) in the AOS Security Novice Handicap Chase.
Left in command when James The Brave, upsides, made his exit two out, the grey idled in front but held on by five and a half lengths from Doyen Magic.
The winning trainer pointed out, “It would have been nice to go to Cheltenham, but one of his owners was keen to stay at home. We’ve been having a slow year, but the horses are coming right again, so it’s nice to have a winner.”
In the news at Cheltenham in recent days, Declan Queally won the Play perysbingo.com Veterans Handicap Chase with Rocky’s Howya, back over fences after two claiming hurdle wins.
Having made the running, he was headed briefly by West Cork Wildway between the last two fences but stayed on dourly to score by three-quarters of a length.
Winning rider Kevin Healy received two whip bans, for ‘frequency’ and ‘above shoulder height’, totalling eight days.
