Joe Casey took the riding honours on day two of the Limerick Christmas Festival when partnering the opening two winners Lonesome Dealer and Tobeornotobe.
Lonesome Dealer was given a confident ride in the Guinness Maiden Hurdle, leading on the run-in to beat Fore Or More by a length and a half. Casey completed his 8/1 double aboard the Gerry O'Neill-trained Tobeornotobe in the Adare Manor Rated Hurdle. The well-backed 2/1 favourite held the renewed effort of Nipitinthebud by half a length, and is likely to go chasing soon.
Mark Molloy saddled his first winner on the track when Instant Queen justified good support under John Thomas McNamara in the EBF Tattersalls (Ire) Mares Beginners Chase. 'I have a small team mainly for point-to-points and selling, and this mare won four of her five point starts in points. That win is very important as she will be covered in the spring', said the Tipperary handler.
The featured Bank Of Ireland Handicap Chase provided racegoers with a real spectacle as Timbera (Roger Loughran) just got the better of Regency Rake after a protracted duel from two out.
Amateur rider Denis Cullen partnered his first winner over hurdles, and his eighth in total on the track, when Kadoun held the late surge of Native Jack by half a length in the Meteor Mobile Hurdle.
Emotional Moment led between the final two flights to take the Event & Leisure Promotions Handicap hurdle, and trainer Tom Taaffe is planning a quick follow-up at either Punchestown or Gowran Park.
Alan Magee
