Friendless Hills takes Listowel opener

The easy-to-back Between Hills got up close home to land the opener at Listowel this afternoon, the BetVictor Bet 5 Get 30 Offer Irish EBF Median Auction Maiden.

An eye-catching third on debut at Navan in April, the Jessica Harrington trained daughter Hot Streak was as short as 7/4 in early shows.

However, she proved friendless with punters, opening on-course at 9/4, before going off a 4/1 chance under Shane Foley.

Settled behind the leaders, she hit the rail approaching halfway and dropped back to mid-division.

Pushed along to take closer order from the two furlong pole, the bay victor went second inside the final 200 yards and was soon ridden, getting up close home to prevail by a neck.

Erkling (8/1), who attempted to make all, had to settle for second under Shane Crosse for Joseph O'Brien. Prince Of Naples was the 5/2 favourite (16s in early shows yesterday evening), and he was another length and three parts back in third.

Foley said afterwards: "She did very well to win as she hit the rail after about two furlongs and I went from being in a great position to being in a terrible position. She's not short of gears but, on that evidence, you would like to think she will stay seven furlongs.

"She was unlucky at Navan where we didn't get much luck so it was nice to see her put her head in front here.

"Mrs Harrington has some lovely two-year-old's and it is great that are a few of them are starting to win now."

The winner was bought for E88,000 at the Goffs Orby Sale last October, and is a half-sister to Miss Power who has won three times for Eddie Lynam.

STEWARDS REPORT

The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Britannia Kitten (USA), trained by D. K. Weld, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to have pulled the right fore shoe in running and to be otherwise post race normal.

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes