Locally based trainer Michael Hourigan recorded a double at Limerick today, helping the Irish jockeys claim a victory (54 points to 44) over the visiting British team in Annual Jockeys' Challenge.
Hourigan's opening winner came in the Walsh Western Maiden Hurdle, when The Under Achiever defied his name to win under Andrew McNamara.
The son of Luso did have to overcome a bad mistake at the final flight, holding enough in reserve to defeat the staying on Pearl River by a length and a half.
Academy Jo, who also made a bad mistake at the final flight, in a slightly unlucky third.
The winning trainer is currently on holidays but his daughter Kay later mentioned 'The Under Achiever was suited by the three miles and the better ground. He's still a bit weak and is a typical chasing type.'
She added 'we have been unlucky with losing a few horses recently and I was almost afraid to come here today! That was Patsy Byrnes' first winner as an owner with us.'
The Hourigan's doubled their account in the www.walshwestern.com Handicap Hurdle, when Tillery ran out a comfortable six length winner under Tommy Treacy.
Kay Hourigan later stated 'we'll go for something similar again next; she jumped well for Tommy and that is his first winner for us.'
Tony Mullins' Turks Wood showed a flair for jumping hurdles in the Roadbridge Summer Hurdle, under Mark Watts.
The son of Charmwood Forest made all and jumped particularly well, effortlessly jumping the final two flights on long strides, for one length win over 9/10 favourite Silent Jo.
Mullins was absent, attending the wedding of Kieran McManus, son of J.P., but the winning owner John Hanlon later mentioned 'Turks Wood loves good ground and is a brilliant jumper.'
Trainer Gerry Cully's luck changed in the Walsh Western Jockeys Challenge Handicap Hurdle when his Markason won, under Noel Fehily, for the English team.
Cully later reported 'things haven't gone my way at the business end of races recently but this win is a relief. Markason will mix it between chasing and hurdling over the summer.'
Francis Flood's Lorna's Star landed the opening Walsh Western Jockeys Challenge Mares Maiden Hurdle, a winning first ride in Ireland for visiting Welsh jockey Christian Williams.
Flood was absent but his son Fran did report 'she goes well on fast ground and will probably go for a handicap next - it's good to get a hurdle win with her.'
Michael O'Brien's Young Elodie is Galway bound after landing the Braddish Builders Handicap Hurdle under Robbie Dunne.
