Bythesametoken makes triumphant return at Listowel

Bythesametoken returned from a year-long absence with victory in the Kerry Dairy Ireland Handicap Chase, the feature event on the opening day of Listowel’s Harvest Festival.

Trained by Ross O’Sullivan, the 11-year-old had not run since finishing down the field at Killarney last August, with his most recent success recorded in October 2023.

Bythesametoken (16-1) made light of his lengthy break, travelling well for Danny Gilligan before asserting his authority after jumping the final fence to win by two and a quarter lengths from Jasko Des Dames. Battle Of Ridgeway, the 5-2 favourite, was a further length back in third.

O’Sullivan said: “This horse is getting on a little bit but he’s been a great old servant. We’re getting great craic out of it, for him to come back and show plenty of life.

“He’s back in about 14 weeks so there was no chance of getting a prep run really.

“The track suits him well, a flat left-handed track, and he’s run well here before.

“He got a great ride off Danny. I was surprised he was going to do the 10st 2lb but he was adamant he wanted to ride him. He’s a great rider and it was great to have him.”

Birdie Or Bust (5-1) bounced back from three lacklustre runs to land the Kerrymaid Rated Novice Chase for Henry de Bromhead and Darragh O’Keeffe.

The JP McManus-owned mare was successful at Killarney in May and while not foot perfect in the jumping department, she still managed to return to winning form with a two-and-a-half-length verdict over The Electrical Kid.

The owner’s racing manager, Frank Berry, said: “That was grand. She made a mistake at the third-last the first time but after that she jumped great.

“She’s (rated) 129 so she probably needs to improve a little bit for some of those graded races. She’ll tip away anywhere she can, maybe in a handicap somewhere.”

Hopes Are High made it two wins in three starts as he prevailed by a length and three-quarters in the Charleville Cheese 3-Y-O Hurdle.

A 40,000 guineas buy at Tattersalls in July after failing to win in five Flat starts, Hopes Are High now has connections thinking of a possible trip to Cheltenham for the November meeting.

Trainer Bill Durkan’s assistant Gary Bannon said: “He’s a nice horse going forward and Bill and his grandsons own him with a syndicate of lads from America. That’s their first horse and they bought him in July along with Touch The Moon. They have been two good purchases.

“I don’t know if he’s good enough to go to Cheltenham in November but we’ll see what the lads want to do. It’s a bit of fun and a good excuse to get away and have a bit of craic.”

Farfromnowhere sprang a minor surprise as she triumphed for Paul Nolan and jockey Sean O’Keeffe in the Cheestrings Irish EBF Mares Hurdle.

Jalila Moriviere was sent off the 4-5 favourite but she came home eight lengths adrift of the 11-1 winner in finishing third.

Nolan said of the winner: “She jumped well and she travelled away. Sean said she wanted every bit of the two and a half miles, they went a consistent pace from start to finish and he said she had a nice bit of gears at the end of it.

“On ratings she was entitled to finish fourth and I was happy if she was going to be within seven or eight lengths of them. She fulfilled what we thought she might be and hopefully she can tip away now. I think she’ll handle softer ground.”

Good Girl Kathleen (5-4 favourite) triumphed in the Dairygold Maiden Hurdle, while Pampar Lady (15-2) fended of Music Of Life and Ballycashin in three-way finish to the Bloom Feeds Irish EBF Mares Handicap Hurdle.