Season begins with popular local winner

A pretty luckless sort up until now, it all came together in style for Holeinthewall Bar in the opening Ladies Day June 24th Maiden Hurdle at Ballinrobe.

Adrian Heskin was never far away on the Westerner gelding.

Taken at around 9/1 in the offices this morning, the well-backed locally-owned runner (5/1), asserted approaching the last to put three and three parts of a length between himself and Lo Siento at the line.

This was a popular victory with well-known Galway publican Stephen Fahy in the ownership role.

"He's a nice horse and he's promised a lot but my horses haven't really been firing.

"I said I'd come west with him rather than having Stephen travelling as he's not in the best of health and he'll probably run at Roscommon next," explained winning trainer Michael Hourigan in the aftermath.

The Turf Club Veterinary Officer examined Zemario trained by Joseph G. Murphy, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be blowing hard post race.

(DM & EM)