Father and son combination among Limerick winners on the track

Youlita survived a late scare and then showed real determination to land the beginners’ chase over two miles at Clonmel on Thursday for trainer Charles and jockey Philip Byrnes.

Everything appeared to be going to plan for the 7-5 favourite who was travelling well into the home straight. However, Youlita seemed to take off a stride early at the penultimate obstacle and landed askew with Byrnes Jr doing very well to stay aboard. 

Very often that would be the end of a horse’s winning chance, but to his great credit Youlita rallied, jumped the final fence better and ground a half-length margin at the line from second favourite Is Charlie Around.

It paid to be on the pace in the seven-furlong handicap when Abbeyfeale jockey Paddy Harnett guided Bishopton to success for Co Down trainer Natalia Lupini.

READ NEXT: Limerick schools take part in the Limerick Sports Partnership's Sports Hall Athletics Day

The winner and the runner-up Venetian were disputed the lead throughout with Bishopton finding just enough to score by half a length as the 7-2 favourite. 

Harnett was snaring his first winner of the year and said post-race on Racing TV: “That’s two races I have won on him here and thanks to Natalia for giving me the ride.”

He added: “I think he can go up in grade and win again. He is an uncomplicated ride. I gave him a breather before the turn and while he quickened well, he was only doing just enough. He is a push-button ride.  He was ready for this, bucking and squealing going to the start.” 

A fine half an hour’s work for Castlecomer trainer Pat Murphy yielded a double on Friday evening when his veteran campaigner Desert Friend collected for the eight time in his long career.

Once again it paid to be close to the speed and ten-year-old gelding found enough to score by three-parts of a length at odds of 13-2 in the hands of Shanagolden jockey Chris Hayes.

“Lads, he pulled my arms out for 1m6f! I only let him go at the top of the straight because I needed a breather, I couldn’t hold him any longer,” Hayes laughed on Racing TV.

Also interviewed was Murphy who said: “Delighted to get a double with them as it is getting harder to win in Ireland. I suppose they had come down to good marks in the handicap. I have about 20 horses in, all different types, some breeze up horses and some unraced three-year-olds.”

All the talk was about one horse, Albert Einstein, in the Listed Gladness Stakes with Coolmore keen to promote him their ‘wow’ colt for the new season. Even if he didn’t really read the script, and could only finish sixth of ten runners, it’s still likely the 11-10 favourite will still turn out to be a very good sprinter.

One horse that has been getting it right at the Curragh for so many years now is the wonderful nine-year-old grey Big Gossey who made it no less than nine wins in 50 starts at headquarters.

What a terrific horse he is. Nobody was interested when he went through the Goffs Foals sale with a reserve of €21,000 in 2017. He has since racked up close to €600,000 in earnings for owners the Allegro Syndicate and trainer Charles O’Brien.

Big Gossey, ridden by Billy Lee, was always repelling the late thrust from East Hampton by over a length. Even given his super record at the track,  he was let start at 25-1. 

“He had his conditions today. Juice in the ground and he needed run the last day. He is a little terrier and he loves a scrap,” Lee said.

O’Brien added: “I thought he was going to win half a mile out! It is very hard for a three-yar-old [Albert Einstein] to beat a battle-hardened warrior like him.

“Handicaps are going to be hard for him as he will be rated about 110 after today.  I have never heard a cheer like that from a grandstand at the Curragh when he won, it was special.”  

Upcoming Fixtures

Limerick (NH) - Tuesday, Mar 31 (first race 4.10pm)

Dundalk (Flat) - Wednesday, April 1 (first race 5.15pm)

Clonmel (NH) - Thursday, April 2 (first race 4.30pm)

Curragh (Flat) - Friday, April 3 (first race 1.22pm)

Cork (Flat) - Saturday, April 4 (first race 2.20pm)

Fairyhouse (NH) - Saturday, April 4 (first race 2.05pm)

Cork (NH) - Sunday, April 5 (first race 1.15pm)

Fairyhouse (NH) - Sunday, April 5 (first race 1.30pm)