TRAINER Declan Queally combined with his assistant son, and namesake, when registering a nicely-timed Limerick double on Tuesday, as the pair won with mares Diamond Nora and Twentyfourcarrot.

20/1 chance Diamond Nora began by landing the Panoramic Restaurant Mares Handicap Hurdle, scoring on her reappearance under jockey Liam McKenna.

Held up in rear, the five-year-old was produced late in the race and got the better of runner-up Jeaniemacaroney by a head.

Queally junior, whose partner Avril had baby boy Ross on Friday, said: “Diamond Nora had plenty weight on her back, so I told Liam to ride a patient race.

“I was expecting her to run a good race, as she was reasonably fit coming here, but with it being her first run back, we said we’d ride her patiently. That’s two she has won now, she has size and is a terrific jumper.”

Wide-margin win

The Queally double was completed in the concluding Irish EBF Mares Ladies Bumper, as their Twentyfourcarrot (5/2) ran away from 10 rivals to score by 16 lengths, under jockey Emily Cody.

The daughter of Balko made all and, while Derryville gave chase before the home straight, the winner quickened smartly. Queally junior said, “that is mighty! I walked the course, had a good chat with Emily and felt staying down along the rail, where the ground hadn’t been used, was the best place to be.

“Ray Barron came back in after riding her the last day and was kicking himself, as he felt he didn’t go fast enough. She is a real tough stayer and I think she will get blacktype over hurdles.

“Her mother was decent, won three or four races and got blacktype and it is nice to have another winner for Sean (O’Neill, owner), who is a great supporter of ours. He has a nice filly on his hands.”

There was a 12-length winner of the opening Conference&Banqueting Facilities Maiden Hurdle, as Rut Daniels (17/2) scored for Harry Kelly, owner Gemma O’Mahoney and jockey Ryan Treacy.

Afterwards, Kelly commented: “Today was the plan and it worked out great. He had been running on ground that was too quick, but isn’t a bad horse for the future and will be a staying chaser.

“This is his ground, as he is a winter horse and we’ll see what we do next, as he is for sale - he’ll win plenty races.

“It is great to give Ryan a winner as he comes in twice a week and works hard, like the rest of us, he just needs confidence.”

LOCAL trainer Jack Bennett (pictured) made the breakthrough with a first career winner in the Follow Us On Instagram Opportunity Handicap Hurdle, as the former amateur jockey scored with Dancing After Dark (16/1), for owners Kate Costello and Brothers Syndicate.

Ridden by Philip Donovan, the Mountain High mare was produced from rear and, having travelled strongly to lead after the third last, finished well to beat Mini Getaway by four and a half lengths.

Afterwards, delighted Bennett reported “that is unbelievable, as I never thought I’d experience it. I have the license a long time and have had a few placed horses down through the years, but breaking and pre-training is our main gig.

“We have a handful of point-to-pointers, she is the only horse we have for the track and I bred her myself. The Costellos bought her from me and were very good to leave her with me.

“They have been very good and very patient and I’m glad to repay them with a winner.

“She won two point-to-points well, but for whatever reason, we couldn’t get it together on the track. We have now though and this is local to us and to the owners, so is great. She might come back here during Christmas.”

Another local trainer, Eric McNamara, continued his good run of form as Hees Dynamite (15/8 favourite) landed the Mr Binman Christmas Festival Handicap Hurdle, for owner John Earls and jockey Callum Hogan.

Local luck

The Rathkeale-based trainer reported “I was a small bit worried they went too quick, but when they win they always seem to get it fairly right!

“The young lad is riding well, the plan was to keep out wide and the horse jumped well.

“He is more of a good-ground horse, so I’d imagine Thurles would be the one track where we could get nice ground before the season is done for him.

“I’m delighted for John Earls, who has been friends for a long long time and I know all the Easyfix lads too, so it is great.”

Trainer Philip Rothwell is another whose horses are flying and his home-bred Joseph Germaine-owned Prince Quattro (6/1) landed the Limerick Races On Facebook Handicap Hurdle (div I), under jockey Tiernan Power Roche. Afterwards, the winning rider reported “it would have suited him better if the ground hadn’t changed, as he is better on nicer ground, but he was good and gutsy. He put in a brilliant round of jumping and that is what won it for him.”

JACK Holiday notched his third win of the year in the second divide of that race, scoring for local owner Flor McCarthy, trainer David Christie and jockey Tom Harney.

Jack Holiday was registering a sixth career win and Christie later commented: “He is a mighty horse and has won three this year. He tries really hard, is very honest and is a real character. I’m delighted for the McCarthys, as they are from up the road, so to have a winner in Limerick is magic.

“Tom hadn’t ever ridden for me before, but I had been watching him and all those that are riding today are great riders, but don’t get much of a chance. He has been banging in the winners and to have the 7lb claim is mighty.”

Trainer Joseph O’Brien and jockey Oakley Brown combined to win the Adare Manor Opportunity Maiden Hurdle with Cottesloe Sunshine (100/30), for owner Orla Fahey.

The Getaway mare raced prominently throughout and held Balko D’Ange on the run-in, by three and a half lengths. Brown reported: “I thought she had a great chance and, dropping back to two miles, I thought I’d make plenty use of her. Her jumping is probably her biggest asset and it wasn’t the strongest of races. She is a tough little filly and has done it well.”