Fitzgerald stars for British in Jockeys Challenge

The UK based team triumphed over their Irish counterparts in the betfair.com Jockeys Challenge by 56 points to 38 at Limerick on Saturday evening, with Mick Fitzgerald´s win aboard Smoking Barrels proving the main turning point.

Barry Geraghty got the home team off to a good start when Rosnagowloge took the two miles maiden hurdle in fine style, travelling strongly to lead in the straight for a five lengths victory over Lough Ville.

However Fitzgerald quickly struck back for the British side on Smoking Barrels in the two and a half miles handicap hurdle, with Pat Flynn´s charge quickening up before the last to beat Lord Graney by eight lengths. Timmy Murphy, Tom Doyle and Andrew Thornton also picked up points here for the visitors to give them a sizeable lead. ´Mick said he would be suited by three miles, and we will probably go for a staying race on the Flat. He likes a little cut in the ground,´ said Flynn.

The absence of Tom Scudamore´s mount Broadstone Road from the featured Sharp Minds Betfair Handicap Hurdle meant that Shanesia was also discounted as a points scorer in order to level things up, and unluckily for the Irish team the Paul Nolan-trained mare duly won under Ruby Walsh. The Erins Isle five-year-old led four out, and stayed on gamely in the straight to beat top-weight Balapour by six lengths

David Casey gave Rocksham a strong ride to land the final leg of the challenge, the two miles handicap hurdle, but Mick Fitzgerald and Tom Scudamore were on the placed horses to secure the win. ´David gave her a great ride, and I will give her a shot at the Flat now as she seems to be well handicapped,´ said trainer Dusty Sheehy.

The Betfair Gold Cup will again be competed for at Aintree in November, with the Irish team bidding to regain the trophy as the ´away side´.

Meanwhile at Leopardstown, the Jim Bolger-trained Tropical Lady made a successful transition from handicap company to Group 3 when landing the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Brownstown Stakes.

The Sri Pekan filly, who started off this season on a mark of 84 before capturing three handicaps, made it four wins from as many runs with a gutsy performance. British raider Majestic Desert looked set to justify favouritism when heading the front-running Red Feather at the furlong pole but Kevin Manning produced Tropical Lady with a perfectly timed challenge to gain the day close home.

Bolger, who will enter his charge in the Group 1 Matron Stakes here on Irish Champion Stakes day but also has Alexander Goldrun as a possible for that race, said ´She may go up to ten furlongs, and that would open up more possibilities´.