THE Liam Kenny-trained World Of Fortunes maintained her unbeaten record over flights when winning the Listed Focus Capital Novice Hurdle at Limerick on Saturday.
Sent off 9/4 favourite, the Michael F Broderick-owned mare led before two out under Jordan Gainford, keeping on strongly to win by six lengths.
“She is improving the whole time and there are bright things ahead. Jordan had done a lot of work with her and was brilliant today,” said Kenny’s son James.
“She won her bumper over two (miles), won her maiden over three, so is very versatile: anywhere from two and a half to three miles suits her to a tee.
“She’ll now have to be campaigned in those staying novice mares’ graded races.”
’Second to Ballyburn’
Jetara just held on under Donagh Meyler to win the Listed Irish Stallion Farms EBF Cailin Alainn Mares Hurdle for trainer Jessica Harrington. Leading two out, the Gerard McGrath-owned 11/10 favourite beat the strong finishing Royal Eagle by a short-head.
Afterwards Meyler, riding his third winner for Harrington, stated: “It is great to ride a quality mare like this and it’s not every day when you’re flicking through form and see ‘second to Ballyburn’.
“It was a pleasure to put my leg across her and obviously a pleasure to ride for the trainer and owner. She switched off, stuck out her head and did what she had to do, having jumped fluently throughout. It is grand to see her settling and hopefully she will come on from it.”
Easy winner
Iamagetaway proved an easy winner of the Great National South Court Hotel Maiden Hurdle for James Fahey and Kevin Sexton.
Sent off 100/30, the Frank Reynolds-owned gelding won impressively by an eased down four and a quarter lengths.
“He is a smashing horse and his work at home had been very good, so I would have been disappointed if he didn’t collect.
“He had been keeping good company in his bumpers and, while we were a little disappointed coming home out of Wexford and had our tail between our legs, that form has worked out well,” said Fahey.
“We were clutching at straws by putting on a tongue-tie, as there is no issue in that regard, but it won’t be coming off the next day. I’d say two and a half miles is his trip and we’ll pick and chose where we go, so hopefully he can win again.”
REDCLIFF Glen belied a market drift to win the Limerick Show Handicap Hurdle for Philip and Charles Byrnes. Owned by Cathal Byrnes, the four-year-old was sent off at 40/1, having been initially priced up at less than half those odds.
Leading two out, the gelding stayed on well to win by a neck. Charles Byrnes later reported: “He has been disappointing every day he ran, although his last couple of pieces of work had been better. We were hoping for the best and he (son Philip) said he’d go wide for the better ground.
“He had solid enough flat form and we thought he’d have done something before now, but never showed me much. He is ground-dependent and is more a horse for next summer.”
Dynamite goes down a bomb
Hees Dynamite justified 4/1 favouritism in Division l of the Race Displays Handicap Hurdle for Eric McNamara and Sean Flanagan. Leading before two out, the John Earls-owned gelding kept on nicely to win by one and three-quarter lengths.
McNamara said: “His last few runs had been solid, but has always found one or two too good for him. I’m delighted he got his head in front, as I’m friends with John Earls for years.
“The plan was to stay wide and on the better ground, as he genuinely likes good ground. While he’s fit and well, we’ll find something similar soon - although if the ground goes, we’ll let him off.”
THE Joseph O’Brien-trained 5/6 favourite Mr Percy landed the opening Master Chefs Maiden Hurdle. Ridden by Daryl Jacob, the Simon Munir and Isaac Souede-owned gelding led before the second last, keeping on well to win by three and a quarter lengths.
“It was a misunderstanding what happened the last day at Gowran. He had been running on the flat, so just wasn’t expecting to see a hurdle and he had a good look at it,” reflected Jacob.
“There wasn’t much pace on today, so I was worried about that and I probably didn’t give him the best of rides, but I have learned a lot from the horse and he will be an awful lot better in a better race.
“He had very good form and I think he has been very well handled by Joseph and his team.”
Rogue
Michael Winters and Darragh O’Keeffe won Division ll of the Race Displays Handicap Hurdle with Crowsatedappletart. Owned by Paul M Mullins, the 18/1 chance, who held a narrow lead at the time, was left clear at the last to win by two and three-quarter lengths.
“This horse is very roguey and there are days at home where he’d sulk, but today he was looking over the door more than he normally does,” said Winters.
“We were beaten 17 lengths the last day in Gowran Park, but we were happy enough with him, as he dwelt a bit at the start and it cost him lengths.”
Willie and Patrick Mullins took the concluding Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares (Pro/Am) INH Flat Race with 9/4 chance Korinthia. Always travelling strongly, the Killeedy and Listowel Syndicate-owned four-year-old led over a furlong out to win by one and a quarter lengths.
“She was plenty keen all the way, she has a good turn of foot and handles that good ground well, although I’m not sure about winter ground, as she is quite a small mare,” revealed the winning rider.
“We’ll look to get some blacktype in a bumper somewhere before going jumping next year.”
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