Miradane upstages Benefficient in the last Miradane (6/1) took the scalp of Grade 1 hurdle winner Benefficient as he took the last race of the 2012 Listowel Festival, the second divide of the Allman Contracts Limited Beginners Chase. Trained by Mouse Morris and ridden by Martin Ferris, the 6yo son of Kayf Tara raced prominently throughout under a keen hold. He hit the front and travelled best as they entered the straight for the final time and despite making a mistake at the last he kept on well to score by half a length. The winner was eased down approaching the line and Benefficient gave one last, late surge under Ruby Walsh but it was too little, too late for the 7/4 favourite. Miradane was having just his second start over fences this afternoon after making his chasing debut last time out at Killarney where he finished just over five length third to House Rules. Before that he won two hurdles at Ballinrobe in June and July. Winning rider Martin Ferris said afterwards: "He is a nice horse. He ran well on his last start at Killarney. "He pulls very hard in his races and he was idling a bit in front. He will be better on nicer ground and it’s nice to round off the week with a winner." (On-course reporting by Thomas Weekes)
