Empresario wins a thriller at Listowel

In a driving finish involving three horses straining for the line at Listowel, Empresario (8/1) in the middle got his head down to win for jockey Billy Lee. Wholelotofrosie (20/1) made a bold bid from the front under Declan McDonogh, and when headed a furlong from home in this mile handicap she resolutely battled back on the inside, but she went down by a neck.

On the outside Edenshaw (8/1) kept on and was beaten two necks in third, with Fran Berry doing the steering.

The winner landed quite a gamble from as big as 25/1 this morning. He opened at 11/1 on course and was supported again down to his SP of 8/1.

“That was nice. The cheekpieces were a big help. Billy gave him a super ride. He won on him when he was trained by David Wachman and he knew him,” victorious trainer Denis Hogan said of the four-year-old, who was dropped 6lbs in the handicap.

“He dropped down in grade from a premier handicap last time. Conor Hoban said to try him in cheekpieces.

“He'll jump a hurdle down the road and he’s schooled already. The ground was a worry today, but he got away with it.” Lucky Kitten the 11/4 market leader, didn’t pose any questions of the front three today. He finished in fourth place, three and a quarter lengths off the battle for first.

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes