Flemensford makes his light weight count

Second to Joncol on his debut in a 'point' and then winner of a confined maiden at Askeaton, Eric McNamara predicted a good future for Flemensford at the start of his career and the son of Flemensfirth won his second race on the racecourse proper today by landing the Newton Abbot Races Handicap Hurdle under Paddy Mangan at Limerick.

Coming off a 237 day break, the lightly weighted seven-year-old stayed on relentlessly from before the straight, he headed False Messenger at the last and he went away on the run-in to score by two and a half lengths.

McNamara commented: "It's good to get a winner in this day and age! He was good and fit coming here and we'll try and win another hurdle with him.

"He'll go back chasing sooner rather than later and I see him as a nice staying type."

McNamara ended a lean spell at Clonmel recently with Whiskey Hall and he'll be well represented at his local track tomorrow with at least four runners.

Meanwhile winning owner J P McManus had another runner here, the favourite, Porticcio but he could manage no better than eighth.