King rules with 57-1 treble at Limerick
PERFECT HARMONY: Drumgill and Daniel King en route to winning the Limerick Handicap Chase. Picture: Healy Racing
Daniel King stole the show in Limerick, completing a superb 57-1 treble, the second of his career and highlighted by the victory of the John Ryan-trained Drumgill in the featured Limerick Races On Facebook Handicap Chase.
Dropping in class and making his handicap debut, Drumgill defied top-weight of 12-3, coming through strongly to score emphatically by five lengths from General Clermont, with long-time leader Itsalonglongroad in third.
“He’s a fair horse, a proper one,” stated a delighted Ryan. “He’s from the family of Constitution Hill.
“And Daniel is some man — he comes in a few afternoons a week — and will ride a lot of my horses in the future.”
King had earlier delivered a maiden hurdle double for Denis Hogan in the early action.
Winner of a Curragh maiden for Aidan O’Brien and placed in his three previous hurdle starts, Ephesus justified 4-5 favouritism in the opening Limerick Maiden Hurdle, taking the lead four from home and scoring readily by seven and a half lengths from market rival Raydamann.
“He’s had a few nice runs and this was a nice opportunity for him,” said King, “He jumped, travelled and picked up well, but could do with sharpening up his jumping.”
God Of Thunder (7-1) travelled powerfully throughout the Conference & Banqueting Maiden Hurdle before mastering favourite Harry’s Legacy between the last two flights to score by seven lengths.
“He really enjoyed himself,” declared King. “Jumping has sweetened him up and it’s good that he’s shown what he’s capable of. He likes that nice ground and there should be more races to be won with him.”
It was a day to remember too for Sarah Connell, part of what she described as “a family operation” at Peria Stud in Tallow as she saddled her first winner when eight-year-old Promontory, having only his third start, landed the Panoramic Restaurant Maiden Hurdle at the expense of favourite Kevin’s Pride.
“We have broodmares at home and look after all of Malcolm Denmark’s horses and I got my licence last spring,” explained Connell. "This horse was in Willie Mullins’ for a while and I was lucky to get him this year. He’s a lovely, straightforward horse and I’m very grateful to get the opportunity to train him.”
Aidan Kelly, who partnered Promontory, completed his second double when 5-1 co-favourite Birdsandthebees, trained for JP McManus by Pádraig Roche and described as “unbelievable to jump” by her rider, dug deep to get the better of Big Island by a head in the Limerick Races On Instagram Handicap Chase.
There was a predictable end to the evening as 4-5 newcomer Dani Donadoni, a son of Order Of St George and the only runner on the card for Willie Mullins, confidently handled by Patrick, outclassed his rivals in the bumper, easing clear to beat Powerful Paddy by seven lengths.
Both divisions of the 0-100 Munster Suite Handicap Hurdle produced shocks, the first division going to David Barry’s Flemens Intrest (John Shinnick), who overcame a 427-day absence.
And Gerard O’Leary, who is based in Youghal, savoured his first training success (his only previous scorer, Empire Succes was disqualified due to a prohibited substance) when 22-1 shot Silent Selector made all under Sean Flanagan to take the second division, holding off veteran Big Debates.
