The Nine O bandwagon stepped up a gear at Limerick today when Seamus Braddish's gelding landed his fifth win in six starts, in the Martinstown Opportunity Handicap Chase.
Ridden by Brian Byrnes, Nine O raced prominently throughout before getting his head in front after the third last fence, staying gamely for a two length win over Hasanpour.
Nine O has proven a credit to Braddish, and despite being raised 17lbs for his latest handicap chase win, can be expected to win again.
Braddish later reported 'I expect him to get another 5 or 6lbs for that win and he'll come back here on March 19 for another chase.'
Trainer Maureen Danagher recorded her first confirmed winner at her local track when Little Alou made a fresh start in handicaps, under David Flannery, in the Ladbrokes.ie Handicap Hurdle.
Little Alou, a 16/1 surprise winner, made all under her promising rider, staying on well for a two length over Kilfinny Cross.
Danagher's Just Cassandra was first past the post in a hunters chase at the track last year but subsequently lost the race on appeal.
Danagher, who also assists trainer Michael Hourigan, later reported 'Little Alou will go for another handicap here on March 19 but is a real chaser in the making.'
The opening Sin Bin Nite Club went to Willie Mullins' Josephine Cullen, a half sister to Cheltenham Bumper winner Joe Cullen, under Richie Kiely.
A promising fourth at Clonmel recently, the easy to back 14/1 winner chased the leaders before moving through to lead before the final flight, staying on for a four and a half length win over Salt Lake.
Afterwards Mullins reported 'she's a small mare so I'll mix it between hurdles and Flat over the summer.'
With limited resources available to jockeys who suffer extreme injuries, the Shaun McManus Fundraiser campaign is a very worthy cause, raising money for the amateur rider, currently recovering in the Dunlaoighre Rehabilitation Clinic.
The Shaun McManus Fundraiser Maiden Hurdle looked an average event on paper and was won by Mouse Morris' Hidden Talents; appropriately his form figures read '00'.
Ridden by Paddy Flood, substituting for the unwell Conor O'Dwyer, Hidden Talents was always prominent, eventually getting to the front before two out, staying on well for a comfortable six length win.
Morris later mentioned 'chasing is always the plan with this horse.'
Regarding his Cheltenham prospects, War Of Attrition and Fota Island, Morris reported 'both are in great form.'
Jockey Davy Russell moved onto 63 winner mark (12 behind Ruby Walsh) for the season when partnering Denis Ahern's Tiarella to win the Murray O'Laoire Architects Mares Hurdle.
Ahern later commented 'she may be better again on better ground and will come back here for a Mares Listed Hurdle on March 19.'
Allez Petit Luis (4/5 favourite) justified plenty of market support when making virtually all to win the National Students Raceday Challenge Beginners' Chase under Paul Carberry.
Winning trainer Colm Murphy reported 'he was unlucky to fall here the last day, and although he isn't too big, he jumps for fun.'
The concluding bumper went to Francis Flood's Lost In Lavey, well handled by James O'Farrell.
