Limerick jockeys enjoy rich vein of form on the racecourse

THE Don’t Tell Your Mother Syndicate-owned Hopes Are High landed a narrow success in the opening three-year-old maiden hurdle at Ballinrobe on Monday last.

Ridden for trainer Bill Durkan by Philip Byrnes, the 14/1 chance led at the final hurdle and lasted home to beat Andy Slattery’s 6/1 shot Bridezilla by three-parts of a length.

Paddy Twomey landed back-to-back success in the feature races of the night. Ridden by Shanagolden jockey Chris Hayes, the 3/1 Super Sox landed the Listed NFP Irish EBF Platinum Stakes for the second year running. The Dowager Countess Of Harrington’s four-year-old led two furlongs out and gamely held the persistent challenge of Joseph O'Brien’s 9/2 chance Gutsy Girl by a head.

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Champion jockey Colin Keane was in the saddle as the Robert Moran-owned Elana Osario won the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Give Thanks Stakes to complete the trainer’s double. At odds of 7/2, she tackled Aidan O'Brien’s front-running 100/30 joint-favourite Island Hopping a furlong out and soon edged ahead to score by half a length.

Askeaton jockey Aine O'Connor landed an odds-on success as the 11-year-old Winter Fog just won the ladies’ maiden at Tramore on Thursday. Trained by Willie Mullins, the 8/13 favourite led coming out of the dip and although headed inside the final furlong by John Queally’s 9/2 shot The Banger Doyle, he fought back to lead again on the line and win by a shorthead in the colours of the Triple Lock Partnership.

Abbeyfeale jockey Paddy Harnett landed a cosy success as he partnered the Natalia Lupini-trained Bishopton to win the apprentice maiden over seven-furlongs at Dundalk on Friday afternoon. A well-supported 9/2 chance, the three-year-old was well in control from some way out as he raced to a three and three-parts of a length win over Adrian Murray’s 7/4 favourite Beijinho.

Later on the same day at Tramore, trainer Danny Howard won the two and three-quarter-mile handicap chase with the 11-year-old Likable Chancer. Ridden by Daniel King, the Annette Daffy-owned 16/1 chance raced up with the pace and led after the final fence to score by a nose from Mags Mullins’ 12/1 chance Bondi Boy Blue.

Upcoming Fixtures:

Roscommon – Tuesday, August 19 (First race 5.20pm)

Sligo – Wednesday, August 20 (First race 5.05pm)

Leopardstown – Thursday, August 21 (First race 4.50pm)

Killarney – Thursday, August 21 (First race 4.32pm)

Kilbeggan – Friday, August 22 (First race 4.50pm)

Killarney – Friday, August 22 (First race 5.10pm)

Killarney – Saturday, August 23 (First race 1.25pm)

Curragh – Saturday, August 23 (First race 1.42pm)

Naas – Sunday, August 24 (First race 1.40pm)