Beef Or Salmon's trainer Michael Hourigan ended registered his second winner on the concluding day of Limerick's Christmas meeting yesterday, when Just caused a minor surprise, winning the OKelly Bros Demolition Handicap Hurdle under Davy Flannery.
Hourigan completed an across the card double when Almier credited the Patrickswell trainer with his fourth success of the four days racing, in a handicap hurdle at Leopardstown, under Paul Carberry.
Just, who previously was not mapped when eighth of 15 over a similar trip at Limerick on St Stephens Day, displayed good battling qualities to eventually wear down Calling Classy and John Cullen. The winner looked held in third at the second last flight but stayed on well under a fine drive to lead well inside the final furlong for a two length win.
Hourigan was in Leopardstown but was represented by his son Michael Jnr who, explaining the geldings improved form, reported we used cheek pieces on him the last day but he only got used to them today. Hes a horse you have to know, stays well but needs a strong drive.
Dusty Sheehy's Paddys Girl, under the strong Michael Darcy, improved one placing on her second place finish here on Monday when getting the better of Vitellius in a great battle from the final flight to win the Signs Express Handicap Hurdle.
Another horse to improve on a second place finish here on Monday was Davy Fitzgerald's Pearly Jack, who defied top weight under Mikey O'Connor to win the 2m6f handicap chase.
Amateur jockey John Thomas McNamara collected the leading jockey award at the Festival, partnering his third winner, on Good Step in the Moscow Society Maiden Hunters Chase.
Winning trainer Enda Bolger confessed to being 'pleasantly surprised by the win, adding first time blinkers really woke him up and he jumped brilliantly. Hell be kept to hunter chase company and will bid for a repeat win in the banks race at Athlacca in the new year before going for another banks race at Punchestown in April.
Bruff trainer Gerry ONeill, along with Michael Hourigan was another trainer to saddle two winners at Limerick. Gaza Strip provided top amateur jockey Derek OConnor with his first win of the week in the mares maiden hurdle.
