McNamara family enjoy "good half an hour" as Love tops it off

There was a first Limerick trained winner during the 4 days racing at all the meetings over the Christmas period when Eric McNamara’s Northern Love sprung a 20/1 surprise in the concluding Irish Field Handicap Hurdle at Greenmount Park.

Owned and bred by Kevin McNamee, this four-year-old had to work to get by the gritty mare, Lotus Hill but did so in the end by half a length in the hands of Ryan Treacy.

Kevin Sexton was bidding for a double on the first-time blinkered Paul Nolan-trained runner-up, whilst Barry Browne came from Leopardstown after riding the first winner there, Best Behavior

Browne had to settle for third on Seskin Flyer in this two mile three furlong ‘night-cap,’ for Pat Carey.

"He is 17.2hh and is a huge horse who is going to make a chaser in time. We'll take our time with him now and won't run him for a while,” said McNamara.

"He struggled to jump out of that ground and his jumping was poor on the day but I put it down to the ground as basically he is a good jumper. He'll stay hurdling this season and will go chasing next season.

"It has been a good half an hour (son Conor rode the previous winner at Leopardstown)."

Miss M. O'Sullivan, rider of Military Poet trained by Eugene M. O'Sullivan, reported to the Clerk of Scales that her mount gurgled during this race.

A. McCurtin, rider of Johanna Yeats trained by John J. Walsh, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount did not handle the ground.

The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Johanna Yeats, trained by John J. Walsh, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal.

The Stewards interviewed K.C. Sexton, rider of Lotus Hill, concerning his use of the whip in the latter stages of this race.

Evidence was heard from the rider concerned.

Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence the Stewards were of the opinion that K.C. Sexton was in breach of R10(3)(g) by using his whip with excessive frequency.

Having taken his previous record into consideration, the Stewards pursuant to R10(6) suspended K.C. Sexton for 6 racedays.

(TW & EM)