Limerick's all-flat seven-race-card was never going to be high on talking points, but with Johnny Murtagh making a welcome return to the saddle after a short self-imposed sabbatical, the meeting was always going to provide some interest to racing enthusiasts.
Hanabad was the perfect vehicle for the Meath man to return to action and the 2/9 shot played his part as he strode to an easy three and a half length success. Murtagh commented that he 'felt great on that one' and seemed on really good terms with himself as the crowd gave an appreciative round of applause as the winner was led back in. The vibe as regards whether he'll partner Alamshar in Saturday's Champion Stakes now appears good.
Joe Crowley was double-handed in the opening colts & geldings auction maiden. As so often in small-field events, outsider of the five, Stylish Dane and Michael Hussey were to prove victorious. The Piltown handler, who recently took out a licence on the departure of daughter, Francis to the Curragh, has the Goffs Autumn Bonus Race at Cork in mind for his winner. The son of Great Dane showed a good turn of foot to dispose of favourite, Banjul by two lengths.
The corresponding fillies event saw a well-supported favourite in the shape of Asanine. However the concession of 10Ibs was to prove a bridge too far for that one, as she failed by a head to catch Dame Facile and Cathy Gannon. Irene Oakes' winner is a daughter of that good racemare, Tout A Coup.
Gannon later went on to partner a double (the first of her career). Bayaisya had strong claims in the 7f maiden, and she didn't disappoint those who made her the even money favourite running out a most comprehensive four and a half-length winner. The success was the beginning of a double for trainer, John Oxx. The win puts the Dublin apprentice on a score of eighteen for the season, three behind Pat Cosgrave.
Cosgrave moved one ahead of Davy Condon in the apprentice table, when partnering top-weight, Portant Fella to victory in the 1m handicap. Joanna Morgan's charge has been a model of consistency in recent times and was gaining compensation for his short head defeat over hurdles at Tralee last Saturday.
Joe Crowley and Michael Hussey also got in on the double act when their Bed Of Silk took the penultimate 1m 4f handicap. Both the second and third here, Baikal and Le Leopard both came in for good market support, so the win came as a welcome result for the layers.
In fact Hussey completed the first treble of his career when successful aboard Noel Meade's Mount George in the closing race, to send favourite backers home happy.
