The Kerry Petroleum INH Flat Race at Listowel promised for much to deliver a dream race riding return for Limerick fire-fighter Ray Hogan, but he was ultimately denied by a wonderfully cool Mark O’Hare on Jesse Evans Cheltenham Festival winning rider O’Hare retired in the aftermath.

After a fifteen year absence Ray Hogan was put through the mill as his mount Taylors Tree Rock got rid of him in the parade ring.

In his forties now Hogan had to pass the Doctor before being reunited with Taylors Three Rock The first time out Roderic O’Connor chestnut certainly did her best for Hogan out on the track though.

From the front she had a lot of her rivals in trouble approaching the straight but Paul Carberry-like O’Hare was in no panic and he breezed on by close home to win by two and a half lengths.

"I was going to quit at the end of last season but then the whole Covid virus thing arrived and I said I'd go for one more fix and that is my final hit!” explained O’Hare.

"It has been a pleasure riding for Noel (Meade, winning trainer) and he makes life easy in bumpers. He is a top trainer and a top man and most likely I'd have retired earlier only for him.

"I'm flat out shoeing and have a young family and I have to start making time for them.

"It has been a great career and great craic.

"The horse travelled the whole way and picked up lovely; he is a smart horse and I was quite comfortable I would pass the leader and had plenty of horse under me."

(TW & EM)