Knocklong success among highlights of big week for Limerick racing connections

KNOCKLONG trainer John Gleeson landed the three-mile one-furlong hunters’ chase with the Aidan Archdeacon-owned Boss Robin at Thurles on Tuesday last.

Ridden by Limerick jockey Ray Barron, the eight-year-old made all the running and battled well to see off the late challenge of the Ross O'Sullivan-trained Ryehill by half a length at odds of 5/1.

Satono Chevalier landed his third win for trainer Richard O'Brien when taking the concluding 12-furlong handicap at Dundalk on Friday night. Owned by Frank Lynch and Maria Lynch, the Shane Foley-ridden 9/1 chance only needed to be pushed out to score by half a length from the Ado McGuinness-trained Star Harbour.

Limerick jockey Aine O'Connor and trainer Anthony McCann were on the mark in the concluding bumper at Naas on Sunday where the All Four Counties Syndicate-owned Familiar Dreams scored a taking success.

The 17/2 chance made all the running and came home a three and a half-length winner from Gavin Cromwell’s Sixandahalf.

A runner-up to the JP McManus-owned Bioluminescence in the earlier Grade 3 Irish Stallion Farms EBF Shannon Spray Mares Novice Hurdle with Millstream Lady, Rathkeale trainer Eric McNamara and his son Conor struck with the 10-year-old Falco Blitz in the veterans’ handicap chase at Limerick on Sunday.

Owned by Shane Carmody, the strong 3/1 shot led at the second-last fence and raced clear to beat the Robert Tyner-trained 12-year-old Sir Bob by a very easy six and a half lengths.

Upcoming Fixtures

Dundalk – Friday, March 15 (First Race 4.40pm)

Thurles – Saturday, March 16 (First Race 1.55pm)

Down Royal – Sunday, March 17 (First Race 1.42pm)

Wexford – Sunday, March 17 (First Race 1.57pm)