Racing was delayed for half-an-hour at Mallow yesterday evening due to a lightening storm, and an accompanying downpour changed the ground from good to yielding-soft.
The rain-softened conditions proved no problem to Polish Legion who landed a touch (5/1 to 7/2 favourite) in the five furlong Mitsubishi McCarthy TV & Electrical Handicap. The ex-British trained seven-year-old was led down to the start early but came back in a hurry under Wayne Smith, quickening clear a furlong out to beat Indian Mystery by five and a half lengths.
'I have 19 mainly jumping breds in training, and this is my only sprinter,' said a delighted Annette McMahon, who trains near the new Limerick racecourse at Greeenmount.
The lost time was regained after just four races through shorter intervals, and the Charlie Swan trained and ridden Millennium Lad gave punters further cause for celebration in the Byerleyturfclub.com Maiden Hurdle. The five-year-old gelding made most of the running, and rallied well from two out to beat Croi Bhriste by a length and a half.
Jerry O'Dwyer (19) had his claim reduced from 10lb to 7lb after partnering his third winner aboard Ballyhurry in the Mitsubishi McCarthy TV & Electrical Handicap. The American-bred colt was sent clear early in the straight, and kept on under pressure to beat the staying on Grecian Myth by a length and a half.
