Limerick racing connections visit the winners' enclosure

THE first winner of the week was the Gary Noonan-ridden Soldier Solid which landed the two-mile maiden hurdle at Punchestown on Wednesday.

Trained by Pat Flynn, the 4/1 chance recovered from a mistake at the final flight under Newcastle West jockey Noonan to beat Gavin Cromwell’s Fameaftertheglory by half a length. An easier winner was The Connector which won the second division of the two and a half-mile handicap hurdle for Michael Hourigan and Simon Torrens.

Owned by JP McManus, the 5/4 favourite led before the final flight and beat Noel Kelly’s 33/1 chance Herculaneum by two and a quarter lengths at the line.

Quin trainer Paddy Hassett landed the seven-furlong maiden with the Jack Kearney-ridden Maid To Shine at Dundalk on Friday.

In the trainer’s own colours, the 10/1 chance got the better of the Gillian Scott-trained Relevant Range and Billy Lee to score by a length and a quarter, a first winner for Hassett since Ali Babes scored at Cork in August of last year.

Rathbride trainer Ken Condon notched up his first success, with only his third runner, of 2023 as Harmony rose, in the colours of the Harmony Partnership, took the Willie Buckley Memorial Handicap. Ridden by Ballingarry jockey Billy Lee, the 8/1 chance led inside the final furlong and dug deep to hold off Johnny Levins’ Tai Sing Yeh by a neck.

Happy Dreams was a winner for Shannon trainer Michael McDonagh at Fairyhouse on Saturday where the six-year-old landed the two and a half-mile handicap hurdle in thrilling fashion.

Ridden by Sean O'Keeffe, the 12/1 chance only led in the final stride as he denied the Tom Gibney-trained Wee Charlie by a short-head in McDonagh’s own colours.

Upcoming Fixtures:

Clonmel – Thursday, March 2 (First Race 2.40pm)

Dundalk – Friday, March 3 (First Race 4.55pm)

Navan – Saturday, March 4 (First Race 2pm)

Wexford – Sunday, March 5 (First Race 1.40pm)

Leopardstown – Sunday, March 5 (First Race 2pm)