First winner for Fogarty as Enright loses claim

Trainer Aidan Fogarty recorded his first winner as La Femme Blanche took division one of the Limerick Racecourse Punter Pack Handicap Hurdle.

Fogarty, who is thirty-four and trains in Golden, Co Tipperary, took over from his father Joe, and he has his licence since August.

He has twelve horses riding out, and La Femme Blanche was just his sixth runner.

The seven-year-old grey daughter of Portrait Gallery had put in some decent efforts in the past, but after disappointing at Cork on her last start, she was sent off at 14/1 this afternoon.

Held up in the early stages, she soon settled in mid-division, and she was pushed along into second after the third last.

She was ridden to lead entering the straight, and despite being strongly pressed, she pulled out more to assert before the last, keeping on well from there to score by a length. Go Paddy Go who went off the well-backed 13/8 favourite (opened at 9/4 on-course), finished in second under Brian Cawley for James Grace, while Serra Nova was a further half a length back in third under Brian O’Connell for Daniel Murphy at 5/1.

Mark Enright, on just his second ride back from injury (first ride was in the opener), partnered the winner, and said afterwards: "I broke three vertebrae in my back at Kilbeggan in July. I thought I would be back a lot sooner. It was very tough getting back, but I’m 100% again.

"I’m with Dessie Hughes the whole time and I’ve now lost my claim."

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes