Curling delighted to put a win on the board for Quirke

It wasn’t any great surprise to hear Sam Curling say, after watching his Bonnie Kellie win the BRC McMahon Reinforcements Handicap Chase at Limerick - “She is in again on Thursday and if she is alright in the morning will run as she'll get a fair whack (from the handicapper) for that.”

Following on from the Shantou mare running out a stylish seven length winner in the hands of Phillip Enright, Curling elaborated: “She deserved it, jumped super and I thought all along she wanted better ground but obviously doesn't.

"I always thought she was a better mare than how she was running but it has to be the softer ground.

"I'm delighted for the lads, and for Dan Quirke, Dillon Quirke's father, who are local to me. They also have a horse with me running in the hunters chase tomorrow."

That horse, War Call, goes for the DQ Number Eleven Syndicate.

The naming of the ownership grouping for that Martaline gelding is obviously commemorating Dillon Quirke, who tragically died when hurling for his club, Clonoulty Rossmore, back in August, at Semple Stadium Thurles.

J.C. Gainford, rider of Courting Vickie trained by James M. Barcoe, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount never travelled and pulled up.

(TW & EM)