Third time lucky for Habesh over hurdles Habesh made it third time lucky over hurdles as he took the opening race of the 2012 Listowel Harvest Festival, the Kerry Ingredients & Flavours 3yo Hurdle, in very testing conditions. The son of Rock Of Gibraltar finished third on his hurdling debut at Killarney last month behind Hurricane Ridge (who he re-opposed today). He had his second start over hurdles just last Wednesday at Galway where he again finished third in the race won by Fisher. Sent off at 9/1 this afternoon, the Paddy Kennedy ridden gelding, was prominent throughout in the chasing group behind clear leader Shabra Emperor. He was a closer second entering the straight and challenged and got on terms at the second last. He soon hit the front and went on from before the last, staying on well under pressure to score by a length and a quarter at the line. The 10/11 favourite Top Man Michael had no excuses under Paul Carberry for Noel Meade and he had to settle for second. Stocktons Wing ran a fine race on his hurdling debut to finish just half a length back in third at 13/2 for Mark Walsh and Charles O’Brien. Winning trainer Eugene O'Sullivan said afterwards: "He is the best I've had since Head Waiter and he is a very similar type. "He wants good ground and he will be way better when he gets it. "I very nearly pulled him out this morning because of the ground but with the weight allowance (getting six pounds off the winners) we said we would have a go. "He’ll be good over fences in time." The winner was purchased by O’Sullivan at the Goffs February Mixed Sale earlier this year for €14,000. With a flat win at Tramore in June to his name as well the Tomas Singleton owned winner has already made that money back. (On-course reporting by Alan Magee)
