Mekong River (navy) comes through to head Hidden Oasis in the closing stages© Photo Healy Racing
< Mekong River claimed an unlikely victory in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Premier Nursery Handicap on the second day of the Listowel Festival.
The son of Galileo came into the race unbeaten in two starts, but Joseph O'Brien was hard at work on the 9-4 chance from some way out and he turned for home in rear.< Hidden Oasis came with what appeared to be a winning challenge approaching the furlong marker, with Mekong River stuck on the rails, but the gap came and he seized the initiative, staying on determinedly to score by a length.< Chroussa capitalised on having her sights lowered in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden.
Jim Bolger's youngster cut little ice in the Princess Margaret Stakes at Ascot but dictated terms to suit herself here and had little trouble seeing off Sophie's World by four and a half lengths as the 6-5 favourite.
Bolger and jockey Kevin Manning doubled up when Fulminata (8-1) broke her duck in the Listowel Track Fillies Maiden at the expense of Mischief N Mayhem and Pastiches < Hail Shower justified 9-2 favouritism in the Feale Handicap, quickening from a prominent position rounding the home turn, from which point she never looked in danger and she had six lengths in hand of Better Value at the line.
The pick of the jumping action was the I.T.B.A. Fillies Scheme Hurdle and it provided Barry Geraghty with a welcome winner on his birthday.
Geraghty's mount Tropical Three (13-8 favourite) touched down over the last just behind leader Little King Robin but she quickened better after it and crossed the line a length and a half ahead.< Pink Coat (6-1) hadn't jumped an obstacle in public in almost a year but he had the benefit of a couple of recent spins on the level, and that served him well as he landed the Cashen Handicap Hurdle.
