Review listowel 2nd Jun

Gold-medal winning marathon runner Jim Hogan enjoyed another memorable win as his Marathon Leader emerged victorious in the Listowel Castle Maiden Hurdle.

Sent off a 7-2 chance, the John Gleeson-trained gelding took it up two flights from home and found plenty for John Cullen to win by four lengths.

Hogan is one of Ireland's greatest marathon runners, claiming gold at the 1966 European Championships in Budapest.

He said: "This lad won his point to point at Dromahane, there were 10 races that day and he had the fastest time. I always thought he was a good horse."

Trainer Dessie Hughes and jockey Roger Loughran were in double form, bagging the St John's Literary Centre Handicap Hurdle with 12-1 chance Valhalla Vision

Hughes said: "He's not a bad horse on that ground.

"We'll probably send him over fences around Galway time."

The pair completed their brace as Grangeclare Gold (10-1) took the Listowel Writers Week Mares Hurdle

Hughes added: "Her only previous good run was when she finished second at Punchestown on her debut. We have basically been waiting 12 months for good ground.

"The ground did make a difference but we always thought she was a good mare."< Spirit Of Xaar (12-1) provided a minor surprise as he defeated odds-on favourite Karkari in the www.listowelraces.ie Median Auction Maiden.

Winning owner-breeder Thomas Molan said: "That was my first winner. I bought Riversfield Stud in Kilmallock from Dolores O'Riordan four years ago and invested in a couple of mares.

"This horse was supposed to go to the sales in Newmarket but he failed a wind test."< Damasque (7-1) is set for a quick reappearance after her two-length victory in the Celebration Handicap under Conor Hoban.

Winning trainer Leslie Young said: "She's in again on Thursday at Leopardstown. She is going to get hit by the handicapper again so we run her on Thursday."