Trainer Michael Hourigan has collected a sizeable collection of winning trophies from Limerick racecourse and the locally based trainer added two further prizes to his haul today, when winning the opening two races.
Jockeys certainly earn their fees when riding over fences on hard ground and injuries meant a total of 19 jockey changes were registered. The injured Barry Geraghty fared out worst of all, missing riding the opening three winners.
Michael Hourigan's double began in the opening mares maiden hurdle when The Screamer finally added to her debut bumper win at Listowel in September 2001. Conor O'Dwyer deputised for injured Barry Geraghty and had little trouble riding The Screamer to a comfortable two length win.
Hourigan later commented 'we'll try to find a novice hurdle for her now on similar ground.' He added 'she was retired last year but failed to go in foal and we brought her back into training.'
O'Dwyer, again filling in for Barry Geraghty, was also on board Hourigan's The Real Solara, who completed the double in the three mile maiden hurdle. Six non-runners left a depleted field of six runners, with O'Dwyer easing the ex-point to pointer winner down close home.
A beaming Hourigan, somewhat lost for words, later reported 'I don't know what to say - it's just great!'
Another locally trained winner was Sancta Miria in the 2m4f handicap hurdle. Trainer Gerry O'Neill, who does quite well from a limited number of horses, reported 'she won a point to point and jumped her way into it here.' The win was jockey Johnny's Levins' 17th success.
Shay Barry was the other jockey to win on one of Barry Geraghty's intended mounts when guiding Corporate Express to win the featured Supermac's Summer Hurdle. Winning trainer Michael Halford later reported 'Corporate Express jumps very well when on a long stride and loves this fast ground. He'll mix it between novice hurdles and Flat races now.'
Christy Roche's Galtee View registered his third success under Larry Hurley (substituting for Alan Crowe who received a fall earlier) in the two mile handicap hurdle.
The People In Need Telethon Bumper went to Brave Inca's stablemate Feathered Lady in the hands of the stylish Ross O'Sullivan while the concluding 1m4f amateur riders' race went to Mesmeric (4/6 favourite) who received a well judged ride from John Feane.
Thomas Weekes.
