Limerick jockeys enjoy terrific spell of success on the racetrack

LIMERICK jockey Chris Hayes took the riding honours with a treble at Naas on Monday evening of last week.

Talented Shanagolden horseman Hayes rode two easy winners for locally-based trainers and scored a more hard-fought success in the finale for Gavin Cromwell. Tai Tam Bay ran out one for the easiest winners of the session when taking the six-furlong handicap for trainers Edward and Patrick Harty.

The 6/1 shot led over a furlong from the finish and raced clear to score by four and a half lengths from the Mick Mulvany-trained Velvet Skies, the mount of Wesley Joyce, in the colours of the Kiely Kinsella Mullen Harty Partnership. Dermot Weld’s good run of form continued as Hasna landed the 10-furlong fillies’ maiden to complete the Hayes double.

A 3/1 chance, she was well on top as she beat the Aidan O'Brien-trained 2/1 favourite Fleetingly by an easy two lengths. The Cromwell-trained Moutarde wrapped up the Hayes treble when winning the concluding second division of the eight-furlong handicap. The 12/1 chance battled well inside the final furlong to pip the McGuinness-trained Comfort Line by a neck.

Ballingarry jockey Billy Lee and trainer Ken Condon made it to the winners’ enclosure as Moss Tucker repeated last year’s success in the Listed Anglesey Lodge Equine hospital Woodlands Stakes.

Owned by the Charlie Bit Me Syndicate, the six-year-old had a little in hand as he scored by two lengths from the Jessica Harrington-trained 5/2 favourite Ocean Quest at odds of 4/1.

Not many horses win four bumpers in succession but Familiar Dreams achieved such a feat for Askeaton amateur rider Aine O'Connor when landing the finale on the second day of the Punchestown festival on Wednesday. Trained by Anthony McCann for the All Four Counties Syndicate, the five-year-old led through the early stages and again early in the straight.

Despite drifting to her left inside the final furlong, the 4/1 shot held on to win by half a length from the Declan Queally-trained Mozzies Sister, a 5/1 chance with Willie Mullins’ 15/8 favourite a length and a half away in third place.

 Owned by Mark McDonagh and ridden by his son and namesake, The Gradual Slope won the near four-mile handicap chase for county Cork trainer Sean O'Brien at Punchestown on Saturday. The 22/1 shot arrived with his challenge at the final fence and he battled well to pip the Lucinda Russell-trained Your Own Story by a neck, a third career success for the seven-year-old.

 The week concluded with an all-flat fixture at Sligo on Sunday and Billy Lee was among the winners as Sakakawea, trained by Ted Walsh for his wife Helen, took the opening three-year-old fillies’ maiden. The 11/1 chance led inside the final furlong to beat the Barry Fitzgerald-trained Bella Mistiko by half a length.

Chris Hayes was back in the winners’ enclosure when partnering the Edward and Patrick Harty-trained Gegenpressing to take the handicap over the same five and a half-furlong distance. At odds of 9/2, the six-year-old made light of the widest of draws as he raced up with the pace and led over a furlong from home to beat Hugh McGuigan’s Sadiqaa by a head.

Highly-regarded Moyross jockey Wesley Joyce brought his tally for the season to five winners when taking the concluding 10-furlong handicap on the A&J Partnership-owned Dont Do Dramas. Trained by Mick Mulvany, the 6/1 chance made much of the running and came home a two and a half-length winner from Paul Flynn’s 3/1 favourite Solar Drive.

Upcoming Fixtures

Ballinrobe – Tuesday, May 7 (First Race 4.45pm)

Navan – Tuesday, May 7 (First Race 1.05pm)

Gowran Park – Wednesday, May 8 (First Race 4.45pm)

Gowran Park – Thursday, May 9 (First Race 1.05pm)

Tipperary – Thursday, May 9 (First Race 5.10pm)

Downpatrick – Friday, May 10 (First Race 5.05pm)

Cork – Friday, May 10 (First Race 4.05pm)

Cork – Saturday, May 11 (First Race 2.15pm)

Naas – Saturday, May 11 (First Race 1.25pm)

Killarney – Sunday, May 12 (First Race 1pm)

Leopardstown – Sunday, May 12 (First Race 1.15pm)