McNamara moves four clear in Apprentice Championship

Emmett McNamara moved four winners clear at the head of the Apprentice Jockeys' Championship with a double at Limerick today, partnering his first winner for his father Eric McNamara, in the process.

The 18yo partnered the first winner of the day on Austin Leahy's Gra Geal Mo Chroi which caused a 16/1 upset when winning the Athea Handicap.

Afterwards Leahy mentioned "Gra Geal Mo Chroi had been balloted out quite a bit over the year and it has been very frustrating trying to get a run for her. She's in Gowran on Friday and may take her chance."

Half an hour later McNamara partered Noubian to win for his father Eric, in the Clarina Handicap.

The gelded son of Diesis tracked the leaders, moved through to lead under two furlongs out before staying on strongly for an easy eight length win over Dont Cross Tina

McNamara Snr was absent, attending the Newmarket Sales but the win was the first double for his jockey son, who now leads both Danny Mullins and Shane Foley 23-19 in the Apprentice Jockeys' Championship.