McNamara pushes Glibin out to victory Colin Bowe recorded his first winner of the new National Hunt season as Glibin took the John B Keane Mares Beginners Chase under Andrew McNamara. The 7yo daughter of Luso won her point-to-point at Taylorstown in October of 2010 and has been a model of consistency ever since on the track. She won her bumper at Downpatrick in July of 2011 and her maiden hurdle at Thurles in January. Last time out she made her debut over fences on the track where she ran a decent race to finish third behind runaway winner Arvika Ligeonniere at Punchestown early last month. Sent off at 9/2 this afternoon she raced prominent throughout and came with her challenge before the second last where her rider Andrew McNamara lost his whip. Sugar Bullet for Dessie Hughes and Bryan Cooper crashed out there when coming with their effort and her fall hampered Gerdalia who was still in contention. Glibin and the 13/8 favourite Jacksonslady under Barry Geraghty competed for the lead on the run to the last but Glibin pulled out more on the run-in to score by a length. Magical Mother, who had attempted to make all, put in a good performance to finish a further half a length back in third at 16/1 under Shane Hassett. Winning trainer Colin Bowe wasn’t present for the win but Andrew McNamara, who was recording his fifth win of the new season, said afterwards: “She was so well schooled coming from Colin’s yard and her jumping won it for her. She won a point-to-point before.” Donal Murphy & Thomas Weekes
