Minella Tweet clears the last under Jonathan Burke© Photo Healy Racing
Jonathan Burke recorded his third winner of the Listowel Festival and his fifth since Wednesday, as he took the last, the Bank Of Ireland Maiden Hurdle, aboard Minella Tweet for John Nallen.
The six-year-old son of King’s Theatre wasn’t beaten far when finishing fifth to Tadem at Navan on his last start and he was sent off a 4/1 chance today (opened at 5’s on-course).
Settled in mid-division he took closer order to track the leaders with a circuit to race.
He was second entering the straight and came through to lead after two out, going on from there to score comfortably by five and a half lengths. Illtakeitfromhere was sent off the 8/11 favourite and he finished second under Mark Walsh for Paul Nolan, while Specific Gravity (9/2) was a further twelve lengths back in third under Andrew Lynch for Adrian McGuinness. Hard Fought fell at the last when beaten in second.
John Nallen said afterwards: "He has had problems. It wasn’t a great race and Johnny’s claim was important.
"Listowel has been a lucky spot for us. He is in the amateur handicap hurdle on Friday."
Jonathan Burke added: "I’m pinching myself. I’ve had a great week and I love it here. I’m riding three years and I had a winner here the first year for Andrew McNamara, last year for Michael Winters and now I’ve had three this year."
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
