Limerick jockey closes in on 50th winner of the season

SHANAGOLDEN'S Chris Hayes rode his 46th winner of the season, his highest tally in four years, when landing the concluding 13-furlong handicap on the 9/2 chance Chopsticks at Sligo on Wednesday. Trained by John McConnell, the five-year-old asserted with two furlongs to race and he scored by five lengths from the Gavin Cromwell-trained 2/1 favourite Arcland.

Kilfinane trainer Donncha Duggan won the two and a quarter mile rated novice hurdle with the six-year-old Ballykinlar at Sligo on Thursday. Ridden by Eoin Staples, the 7/2 chance, in his trainer’s own colours, led after the second-last hurdle and went clear to win by five lengths from Gordon Elliott’s 15/2 shot Chortal. 

READ MORE: JP McManus makes a special presentation to Limerick GAA club

Abbeyfeale apprentice Joseph Harnett got the better of Chris Hayes to record his second career success when taking the nine-furlong handicap on the Seamus Fahey-trained Sinbad My Dad at Leopardstown on Thursday evening. The 20/1 chance made much of the running and held off the challenge of Dermot Weld’s 4/1 favourite Medieval Night by a length and a half.

Owned and trained by Aengus King, Chosen Saint won the two-mile one-furlong mares’ handicap hurdle at Wexford on Friday evening. A fifth winner of the week for Phillip Enright, the 9/2 chance led after the third-last hurdle and scored by a length and three-parts from Jimmy Barcoe’s 12/1 shot Influential Lady. The Philip Rothwell-trained Mercury Mission won his third race of the year when landing the two-mile one-furlong handicap hurdle. With Rathkeale’s Calum Hogan in the saddle, the 6/1 chance led at the final hurdle and held of the challenge of Richard O’Brien’s 11/1 shot Feud and Danny Mullins to win by a neck. 

Chris Hayes and Dermot Weld came to the rescue of punters as the three-year-old Esherann won the concluding eight-furlong handicap at the Curragh on Saturday. The 5/2 favourite led passing the two-furlong pole and quickly asserted to beat the Stephen Thorne-trained 13/2 chance Hightimeyouwon by a length and three-parts. Esherann was the only winning favourite of the day at headquarters.

The father and son team of Charles and Philip Byrnes win the three-mile one-furlong conditions’ hurdle with the seven-year-old Reverend Hubert at Kilbeggan on Saturday evening. Owned by James Flaherty, the 11/8 favourite made much of the running and scored by an easy 11 lengths from the Ger O’Leary-trained 13/8 chance Jabbar.

Upcoming Fixtures

Gowran Park – Wednesday, August 13 (First race 5.05pm)

Cork – Thursday, August 14 (First race 5.22pm)

Tramore – Thursday, August 14 (First race 5.05pm)

Tramore – Friday, August 15 (First race 5pm)

Dundalk – Friday, August 15 (First race 1.45pm)

Curragh – Saturday, August 16 (First race 1.42pm)

Tramore – Saturday, August 16 (First race 5pm)

Tramore – Sunday, August 17 (First race 2.30pm)