Limerick jockeys enjoy hugely successful spell on the racecourse

ON the eve of the trainer’s 91st birthday, Shanagolden jockey Chris Hayes was on the mark on Kevin Prendergast’s Profit Refused at Roscommon on Tuesday evening last. Jointly owned by Prendergast and Jackie Bolger, the 5/6 favourite led passing the two-furlong pole to beat Gavin Cromwell’s Megarry by a length and three-parts on just her second start. 

Talented Limerick horseman Hayes was a winner again at Tipperary on Wednesday evening where Noel Meade’s Chestnutter took the fillies and mares’ handicap. The No Rush Man Syndicate-owned four-year-old made all the running and she added to her recent Leopardstown success with a two and three-parts of a length win over the Jim Bolger-trained Finsceal Go Deo at odds of 17/2.

For the third day running, Hayes landed a winner as he took the 14-furlong handicap on the Luke Comer-trained Oranmore at Bellewstown on Thursday. An 8/1 chance, he scored by three and a half lengths from the Cormac Farrell-trained Fire Coral, a first success for the seven-year-old.

Ballingarry jockey Billy Lee got a look in at Bellewstown on Friday where he won opening eight-furlong claiming race on 15/2 chance Sunday Sovereign. Trainer James McAuley landed a 1-2 as the six-year-old made all the running to easily beat his own stable companion and 13/8 favourite Bringsty by four and a quarter lengths. 

Abbeyfeale’s Paddy Hartnett kept the brilliant run of County Down trainer Leanne Breen going when getting 11/1 shot Livingston Range home in the near six-furlong apprentice handicap at Naas on Saturday. Racing up with the pace, the five-year-old gained a definite advantage early inside the final furlong to beat Denis Hogan’s American In Paris by three-parts of a length in Breen’s own colours.

Conditional jockey Mark McDonagh teamed up with trainer Eoin Griffin to land the feature Bellewstown Handicap Hurdle with Wouldn't You Agree as the three-day July festival at the County Meath track drew to a close on Saturday evening. The nine-year-old only got into the race as the first reserve and he made the most of the late opportunity to score by three-parts of a length from the Gordon Elliott-trained Set Point.

Quin trainer John O’Neill landed the concluding two-mile three-furlong handicap chase with Tullyhogue Fort at Tipperary on Tuesday of last week. Twice a winner over hurdles, including at last year’s Listowel festival, the JJ Slevin-ridden seven-year-old opened his account over fences with a three and three-parts of a length win over the Danny Howard-trained Likable Chancer in the colours of Aisling O’Neill and Janeanne O’Neill.

Upcoming Fixtures:

Dundalk – Wednesday, July 12 (First Race 1.55pmpm)

Fairyhouse – Wednesday, July 12 (First Race 4.50pm)

Downpatrick – Thursday, July 13 (First Race 2.40pm)

Leopardstown – Thursday, July 13 (First Race 5.15pm)

Kilbeggan – Friday, July 14 (First Race 5pm)

Cork – Friday, July 14 (First Race 4.40pm)

Navan – Saturday, July 15 (First Race 2.10pm)