Internal Transfer and Donie McInerney© Photo Healy Racing
A 3,000 pound purchase by Eric McNamara at the beginning of last year, Internal Transfer brought up a double for the local handler in the Follow Limerick Racecourse On Instagram Handicap Chase today.
Earlier on the mark with his son Conor through the success of the John Donald-owned Torquay in a divide of the 80 to 95 handicap hurdle, here Rathkeale handler McNamara combined with fellow Treaty County man Donie McInerney to land the feature.
At odds of 4/1 Internal Transfer chased the leaders, and he made a slight mistake at the eighth.
Third at the halfway stage, the Kayf Tara gelding improved to challenge after three out.
The McNamara runner disputed the lead before the straight, and gained a narrow lead two out.
Soon ridden to assert by McInerney, the winner kept on well from the last, to comfortably defeat Damut by six lengths.
"He has been a lucky horse and is three from three around Limerick. I was very disappointed in his jumping today for a horse who is such a good jumper. Whether he was going as fast as he could over 2m4f on good ground or not I don't know but he is better on softer ground," said McNamara.
"Going on that performance he would want it softer so we may consider giving him a break and coming back later in the year. If it was soft he might go to Fairyhouse or Punchestown but I'm not anxious to run him again on good ground."
The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Na Trachtalai Abu trained by J.Motherway, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal.
K.M. Donoghue, rider of Stooshie trained by Gordon Elliott, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount made a bad mistake three out.
(TW & EM)