Review THURLES 24TH FEB

Chicago Vic's runaway 20 length win in the Littleton Handicap Hurdle at Thurles yesterday meant that the Marian Flavin-trained mare has now won her last two handicap starts by a combined total of 32 lengths.

Ridden by the very capable Nina Carberry, the daughter of Old Vic moved through to lead before the third last, forging clear and sealing an impressive win with an excellent jump at the last.

Afterwards Billy Flavin, husband of the winning trainer, laughed 'she probably won too far!' before adding 'she'll go for a Listed hurdle at Limerick on March 3 now.'

Askeaton based Davy Fitzgerald was the second Limerick trainer to record a win, with Pearly Jack in the featured Horse And Jockey Handicap Chase. The win was the fifth for the horse and the 24th win of the season for leading claimer Tom Ryan.

The well backed 5/2 favourite moved through to lead at the third last fence, staying on well to hold the staying on Randwick Roar by a length and a half.

Afterwards, Fitzgerald reported 'Pearly Jack is really getting the hang of things over fences now and will go for a valuable novice handicap chase at Navan on Saturday week. He is improving all the time and is just as effective over a further trip.'

Priests Leap's win in the Urlingford Maiden Hurdle provided trainer Thomas O'Leary with a welcome turn following the eclipses of his stable-stars Newmill and Scarthy Lad recently.

The son of Luso was well handled by national hunt's racing most recent find, Davy Condon. According to O'Leary 'Priests Leap will go for a winners' race now while both Newmill and Scarthy Lad will be given a break before returning for the Punchestown Festival.'

Mags Mullins' Texas Holdem landed the Thurles Maiden Hurdle under David Casey. The winner benefited from the fall of challenging The Auld Devel at the second last flight, eventually defeating Shoot The Breeze by three and a half lengths.

Mullins expressed her delight at the success, mentioning that the gelding 'is very honest but has been difficult to train because of a recurring back problem. We'll keep going with him now and, although he has had problems, I'd like to have a few more like him.'

Locally based trainer Tim Doyle doesn't miss many meetings at the track and he was on hand to saddle Flaxen Town to a surprise 16/1 win in the Clonoulty Handicap Chase.

Ridden by Joey Elliott, the winner was described by Doyle as 'a tough honest horse who keeps galloping and he can win another similar race.'

Dessie Hughes' Hard Winter won the Devil's Bit Beginners' Chase under Hughes' stable jockey Paddy Flood.

Hughes later reported that the winner 'stays three miles well but is possibly not good enough to go for a novice chase. We'll see what rating the handicapper gives him before making a plan.'