DANIEL King recorded a treble at Limerick on Tuesday where the rider combined with his trainer Denis Hogan, to win the opening two races.

The pair began by winning with prominent-racing Ephesus (4/5 favourite) in the opening Limerick Maiden Hurdle, as the T&M Partnership-owned son of Galileo scored readily from Raydama.

Hogan wasn’t present and King commented: “He had a few nice runs and had been placed so it was a nice opportunity today and he did it well. He was having a look around even when he was behind another horse but he jumped, travelled away well and picked up well in the straight.”

Thirty five minutes later, King steered Hogan’s God Of Thunder (7/1) to win the Conference & Banqueting Maiden Hurdle, for the Premier Racing Club.

Taking the lead

The six-year-old improved from mid-field to eventually lead on the inner at the second-last, before beating Harry’s Legacy by seven lengths.

King said, “I was impressed with him each day I rode him but I really think he enjoyed himself today and it is good he showed what he is capable of,” said King.

“I really do think the jumping has sweetened him up and even at home, he loves the schooling. He likes the bit of nicer ground and hopefully there are plenty more races to be won with him.”

The rider completed his treble on the John Ryan owned-and-trained Drumgill (3/1) Limerick Races On Facebook Handicap Chase.

“The son of Elusive Pimpernel initially raced in rear and improved to challenge early in the home straight, eventually scoring by General Clermont.

Ryan reported: “Drumgill is a fair horse, is from the family of Constitution Hill and is a proper one. Daniel is some man, comes in a few afternoons every week and, going forward, he’ll ride a lot of my horses.”

TRAINER Sarah Connell registered a first success as her Promontory (13/2) scored for leading owner Malcolm Denmark in the Panoramic Restaurant @ Limerick Maiden Hurdle.

Ridden by Aidan Kelly, the son of Fame And Glory was driven out for a one and a quarter-length win over Kevin’s Pride.

Tallow, Co Waterford-based Connell commented: “We have all broodmares at home. I took out my licence last spring to race some of our own fillies. We look after all of Malcolm Denmark’s horses.

Family operation

“We are a family operation so my dad is at home today as there are mares to foal, but my mum is here. My sister is a vet so we all do things together. This is brilliant.”

She added: “This horse has been waiting a long time and deserved this. He had a few setbacks along the way. I was lucky to get him this year. Touch wood, he has been very good. I’m very grateful to get the opportunity to train him.”

Jockey Kelly would later complete a double as he steered the J.P. McManus-owned, Padraig Roche-trained Birdsandthebees (5/1 joint-favourite) to win the Limerick Races On Instagram Handicap Chase.

Roche reported: “She toughed it out, which is something she hadn’t really done before but Aidan said she jumped great and stuck her head down. She was unsuited by the heavy ground here in January but seems to like that. We’ll keep her going for the summer.”

Another first

Ger O’Leary from Youghal was another to notch a first official training success on the day, as his Silent Selector (22/1) landed the Munster Suite @ Limerick Handicap Hurdle (div II) under jockey Sean Flanagan.

O’Leary, whose previous only other winner was disqualified last October, reported: “I rang Harley Dunne looking for a fun horse for a few lads and he recommended this horse, after running in two point-to-points.

“The Lads & Eoin Syndicate (winning owners) was huge at one time but has dwindled down and there are just three of us stuck in him now. Myself, Liam O’Keeffe - who led him up - and Vince O’Driscoll, who is very good to me. Eoin is gone but might be back again now!

NINE-year-old Flemens Intrest (14/1) credited owner/breeder John Cotter with a deserved first racecourse success in the Munster Suite @ Limerick Handicap Hurdle (div I), scoring for trainer David Barry and jockey John Shinnick.

Flemens Intrest raced prominently to eventually score by two lengths from Midnight Fairy, with trainer Barry reporting: “He had a few problems along the way but this was worth waiting for. In fairness to John Cotter, he has been loyal to the horse, so it is nice to get this return.

“He won a point-to-point, he had a good run in a maiden hurdle so brought that form back today. I thought he’d finish in the first four or five today but would come on from the run but happy days. We might run him here again next week or go to Ballinrobe.”

Owner-breeder

The concluding Private Suites @ Limerick Bumper was won in fine style by the Willie Mullins-trained Dani Donadoni (4/5 favourite), for owner/breeder Kevin McCarthy and under jockey Patrick Mullins.

Despite racing keenly and then dropping behind the leaders rounding the final turn, Dani Donadoni quickened well in the home straight to score by seven lengths from Powerful Paddy.

Jockey Mullins reported: “He was very keen and I thought that it would affect him at the end but I let him catch his breath coming down the hill. I thought I was beaten but once he caught his second wind, he has flown. With the experience under his belt there could be a lot of improvement.

“It is great for his owner/breeder Kevin McCarthy who has had horses with us for decades, going back to Dani California who won an Irish Cesarewitch. This horse was initially sold as a foal but was sent back as a box-walker but it was all for luck.”