Frankendael lands Listowel Listed hurdle for in-form McNamara

Trainer Eric McNamara continued what has been an excellent Harvest Festival for his Rathkeale yard when sending out Frankendael to win the featured MCG Handicap Hurdle (Listed Race) at Listowel.

Having registered winners on the previous two afternoons, McNamara enjoyed his biggest success of the week to date when the handicap debutant stayed on strongly under Daniel King to land this valuable prize.

Twice successful on the level when trained in Britain, the Camelot gelding had recorded a first success in this country when winning his maiden hurdle at Ballinrobe last month.

Travelling nicely in mid division after three out, King moved second in pursuit of leader Lord Erskine on the run to the final flight. Heading the latter early in the run-in, Frankendael went away to win by two-and-a-quarter lengths.

Eric McNamara said: "That was magic and he is a lovely lovely horse who has improved all the time since we got him. I thought he won his maiden hurdle very nicely at Ballinrobe and when we were entering for this, I thought it was a longshot although top weight Daddy Long Legs came out, so we snuck in at the bottom.

"He is a particularly good jumper, loves soft ground and has won a beautiful pot for fantastic owners. The syndicate is headed by Vincent Casey, they are very loyal and fantastic people. They love Listowel so will enjoy this moment."

He added: "Myself and Andrew McNamara (trainer) had to toss for him at the sales as we both wanted him."

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes.