Memorable week for Rathkeale at Listowel Racing Festival

GILLIAN Scott trained Relevant Range to cause a 50/1 upset in the one-mile handicap at Listowel on Monday of last week.

Ridden by Darragh O'Sullivan, the Irrelevant Syndicate owned gelding won by one-and-three-quarter-lengths. 

Ballingarry jockey Billy Lee rode the Chris Timmons trained 18/1 chance Una Matata to win the seven-furlong fillies maiden at Fairyhouse on Monday. Owned by Joanne Lavery, the three-year-old won by half-a-length.

Lee completed a double when landing the six-furlong stakes on Rebel Diamond for Natalia Lupini. Sent off 4/1, the Nigel O'Hare owned colt kept on late to win by three-quarters-of-a-length. 

Billy Lee was amongst the winners at Listowel on Tuesday, riding Global Energy to win the one-mile handicap for Sheila Lavery. Owned by John Lavery, the 5/1 chance stayed on well to win by three-quarters-of-a-length. 

Rathkeale trainer Eric McNamara won the three-mile handicap hurdle at Listowel on Wednesday with the JP McManus owned Donkey Years. Mark Walsh was in the plate as the 17/2 chance beat Coole Cherry by two-and-a-half lengths. 

Eric McNamara was back in the winners' enclosure at Listowel on Thursday after Ifitwasme landed the two-mile handicap hurdle under Rathkeale jockey Calum Hogan. Despite drifting out to 10/1, the Cian Wilmot, Damien Wilmot, Joe Wilmot and Mike Wilmot owned gelding won readily by 12 lengths.  

Winning jokcey Calum Hogan was following in the footsteps of his father Ray, when guiding Ifitwasme to victory in the Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Hurdle.

Hogan senior won this very race in 1996 aboard Tidjani and 28 years later it was his son who landed the spoils, registering his first winner over flights in the process.

West Limerick trainer Eric McNamara who was back in the winners' enclosure at Listowel for the third day running on Friday after landing the featured two-mile Listed handicap hurdle with Frankendael. Ridden by Daniel King, the 9/1 chance stayed on well to lead on the run-in, going on to win by two-and-a-quarter lengths for the Forever Optimists Syndicate.

McNamara's week got even better when Mount Ferns gave him a quick double in the two-mile handicap hurdle that followed. Sent off 3/1f, the Kevin McNamee owned gelding prevailed by two-and-a-half-lengths under Sean Flanagan.

Rathkeale man McNamara completed a treble when Cahirdown Boy led home a stable 1-2 in the two-mile-three-furlong handicap chase. Owned by Sean Curran, the well backed 3/1jf led over the last under Sean Flanagan, before holding on to win by half-a-length. 

Billy Lee won the seven-furlong fillies maiden at Dundalk on Friday on newcomer Holly Graces. Sent off 9/2, the Henry De Bromhead trained filly won by one-and-a-half lengths in the colours of Envirogreen Housing Services Ltd. Chris Hayes landed the Listed one-mile race for Ger Lyons on Bellezza. Owned by Moyglare Stud Farm, the 9/1 winner beat stablemate Madam Celeste a neck. 

Athea trainer Eoin McCarthy sent out Kingdom Calling to cause a 250/1 upset in the two-mile maiden hurdle at Listowel on Saturday. Ridden by Richie Deegan, the Killarney Racing Syndicate owned gelding won by half-a-length. 

Shanagolden jockey Chris Hayes partnered the Ralph Beckett trained British raider Bolo Neighs to win the 6f sprint stakes at the Curragh on Saturday. The Peter Mellett owned gelding won easily by seven lengths. Billy Lee won the five-furlong premier handicap on 3/1f Keke.

Trained by Eddie Lynam, the Wood Hall Stud Limited owned gelding readily beat the opposition by three-and-three-quarter lengths. Emily Costello won the ten-furlong student derby on the Andrew Slattery trained Narragansett. Sent off 20/1, the John Hyde owned winner kept on strongly to prevail by three-quarters-of-a-length.  

Upcoming Fixtures:

Cork – Tuesday, October 1 (First Race 1.20pm)

Bellewstown – Wednesday, October 2 (First Race 1.30pm)

Sligo – Wednesday, October 2 (First Race 1.50pm)

Bellewstown – Thursday, October 3 (First Race 1.35pm)

Clonmel – Thursday, October 3 (First Race 2.15pm)

Dundalk – Friday, October 4 (First Race 5.10pm)

Gowran Park – Friday, October 4 (First Race 1.50pm)

Gowran Park – Saturday, October 5 (First Race 1.55pm)

Curragh – Saturday, October 5 (First Race 1pm)

Killarney – Sunday, October 6 (First Race 1.40pm)

Tipperary – Sunday, October 6 (First Race 1.20pm)