Minella Foru makes big impression in Listowel

Minella Foru looks a horse for the notebook as he won a shade cosily in the two mile maiden hurdle for four-year-olds at Listowel. Shamsikhan on debut for Willie Mullins after winning in France, was all the rage with punters who hammered him down to 5/4 favouritism from 7/2 in the morning.

To further muddy the waters Chicago who was once rated 102 on the flat for Aidan O’Brien, was appearing over timber for Pat Shanahan.

In what could prove to be a more than useful maiden hurdle Minella Foru tanked along into contention and only need pushed out score by half a length from Shamsikhan who had gone to win the race from two out when Magical Moon blundered in front.

Eddie Harty trains the four-year-old and he said: “That was a lovely run and he’s a lovely horse. He’s won well and I’m thrilled. We’ll see what the race turns out to be. He was ready to run, he was fit enough if good enough.

“He’ll run in three or four weeks time again and that will tell us a lot. I was lucky enough to have one brilliant horse – Captain Cee Bee – and every horse I have is judged by his ability. We’re living in hope with Minella Foru, the dream is still alive!

“I think that’s JP’s first winner of the week and he’s one to look forward to.”

Minella Foru had won his point-to-point in Lemonfield in March.

Jockey Mark Walsh said of him today: “He did it well on his first run over hurdles. He’s a good horse on the up. I’m very pleased and he’s very professional. It’s good to get the boss [JP McManus] a winner.”

The winner was very easy to back as he was virtually friendless in the betting market from 5/2 this morning right out to an SP of 8/1. Chicago attracted plenty of euro at the track from 13/2 down to 7/2. He was placed in third, beaten four and three parts of a length.

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes