'Boys in blue' to the fore at Festival again

The lightly raced Robertstown (10/1) rewarded the patience of his connections when triumphing in the MAC Fuels & General Supplies Maiden at Listowel.

Kevin Manning 's mount displayed commendable toughness to reel in and beat the favourite, Swamp Fox by half a length.

The principals left Our Rachael all of thirteen lengths back in third.

"He's a big good looking horse and his run at Galway the last day was encouraging," said winning trainer Jim Bolger's travelling head man Ger Flynn.

"No horse likes that ground but he handled it better than the rest, and was resolute and stayed on well.

"Kevin said he was looking around in front but once the penny dropped, he stayed on well."

For his part Manning reflected: "He had a very good run in Galway. The maiden there was probably a bit better of a maiden than this race today.

"He came into it with a big chance and I didn't think he needed to improve a great deal to be there or thereabouts.

"Godolphin (owners of Robertstown) are great supporters of racing all over the world, and it's great that they're having such a good year here supporting a good few different yards."

Of course the 'boys in blue' landed the Listed Edmund & Josie Whelan Memorial Listowel Stakes yesterday with Devonshire. Alguazil (GB), trained by John Joseph Murphy, spread a plate before this race and raced without its off fore shoe on the trainer's instructions.

The Turf Club Veterinary Officer examined Alguazil (GB), trained by John Joseph Murphy, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal.

(TW & EM)