Quin owner/trainer John Hassett struck gold when Lough Ferrib claimed the featured Guinness Handicap Hurdle at Listowel last Thursday.

Desperately unlucky when touched off in a good race at the Galway Festival during the summer, Lough Ferrib made no mistake this time round when overcoming adversity in the closing stages to claim this €40,000 two-mile contest.

Ridden, as he was at Ballybrit by top jockey Davy Russell, Lough Ferrib was the subject of good support with is price tumbling from 7/1 to 9/2 for what looked a competitive enough Grade C handicap.

Settled in mid-division during the early stages, Russell made his move aboard the now 11-year-old after four out, where he improved into third and was quickly in the thick of things when disputing the lead with two to jump.

Early on the run-in, Lough Ferrib poked his head in front but it was clear that Russell was in some difficulty as he had lost one of his irons. The Youghal-born rider has come up through the ranks the hard way, however, having been champion point-to-point rider during his amateur days, and he wasn’t too perturbed as he drove Lough Ferrib home under a power-packed ride to beat the Tony McCoy-ridden 5/2 favourite Princeton Plains by a neck.

The winner, who had to survive a subsequent stewards’ inquiry, certainly loves it at Listowel as this was his third win for three starts at the north Kerry track.

Ballyhannon House-based winning trainer Hassett remarked, “We knew he had a good chance after his good run at Galway. Davy (Russell) is a superb jockey and he gave the horse a very good ride”.
Pressed on future targets for Lough Ferrib, the shrewd Hassett, who always plays his cards close to his chest, continued, “We have no firm plans for him right now. He’s a good horse, so we’ll take him home and admire him for a while.”

Earlier in the afternoon, 4/5 favourite Back In Focus had turned in an eye-catching display when making all the running to land the Kevin McManus Beginners’ Chase for Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh.

A runaway winner of a point-to-point under Derek O’Connor at Kilfeacle when trained by John Costello back in January 2011, Back In Focus was purchased after that by top UK owner Graham Wylie.

On his first start for his new trainer Howard Johnson in a Grade 2 Novice Hurdle at Haycock six weeks later, the son of Bob Back hacked up and he appeared to have big future over jumps in the UK in store.

When Johnson fell foul of the English authorities and decided to relinquish his training license, Back In Focus was among a batch of horses dispatched by Wylie to be trained in Carlow by Mullins, thus his career continued on this side of the Irish Sea.

He certainly impressed in this two-mile, six-furlong contest making all the running under a motionless Walsh to beat Dessie Hughes’ White Star Line by a massive 33 lengths.

One highlight of Back In Focus’ display was his jumping. This was his first start over the major obstacles and he turned in super round of fencing which was very impressive.

Bookies Paddy Power have introduced Back In Focus at 20/1 for the RSA Chase at Cheltenham next March, but it is much too early to think of backing a horse for a race that is nearly six months away.

 

Joy for McNamara as Fullback takes Kerry National

The Guinness Kerry National has been a lucky race for trainer Eric McNamara in the past and his successful association with big race continued on Wednesday of last week as his 33/1 chance Faltering Fullback led home a memorable one-two for the popular Rathkeale, County Limerick handler.

Initially only second reserve Faltering Fullback was handed a late, late place in the line-up when Save My Blushes was taken out at 10.30am on the morning of the race.

McNamara quickly snapped up the services of jockey Danny Mullins to partner the outsider of his trio, with stable companions Questions Answered and former dual winner Ponmeoath also taking their chances.

For much of the race Mullins kept his mount in midfield as fellow 33/1 shot Whodoyouthink made the running. The latter still held a healthy advantage until Mick Darcy’s mount crashed out at the fourth last fence, leaving Paul Gilligan’s Wellforth in pole position.

All the while, Mullins was creeping into the race aboard Faltering Fullback, so much so that as the runners turned for home he was vying for the lead. With the wind now firmly in his sails, there was no stopping Faltering Fullback as he swept clear to beat his better-fancied stable companion Questions Answered by five-and-a-half-lengths.

A delighted McNamara said, “This fellow looked like being a good horse when he won over fences here three years ago but for some reason he just totally lost his way. He chose the right day to come back to form and I’d say the big difference today was that he had just 9st 12lb on his back.

“I really did fancy Questions Answered (runner-up) and he’s run a great race. Sean Curran, who is involved with Ponmeoath, is also involved with CCK Syndicate that own the winner and together with Michael Fitzsimons from Foynes they have been very loyal and patient supporters of mine. Today’s win is my third in this race in six years and is much needed I can tell you,” concluded McNamara, who is a former show jumping champion. 

Action on track all week at the Kingdom venue was hectic with the executive doing really well to run off the entire seven-day meeting without a hitch, despite the wet weather leaving the track rain-soaked and making it very hard for all concerned.

Crowds held up well despite the current recession, with close on 90,000 patrons turning up, which was very much on a par with 2011.

There has been speculation in some quarters that the Listowel executive may make changes for the 2013 Festival, with the suggestion being mooted that next year’s meeting may be cut back to five days.
It remains to be seen what, if any, changes will come about but grabbing the attention of punters for seven days in the current economic climate is a tough ask.