Trainer Michael Hourigan looks to have new competition in the Co Limerick area as his son of the same name stole the show when registering his first training success at Sligo this evening, with Lemagurut in the Foley's Bar Handicap Hurdle.
The elder Hourigan, not easily upset, later joked 'I'm under pressure now!' as he greeted his son's winner to the winner's enclosure.
Michael Hourigan Junior took out his license last month and Lemagurut, only his second runner, received the Ruby Walsh treatment before beating Knockreer Native by a neck in a tight finish.
The delighted winning trainer did mention 'I was Champion Amateur Jockey in England in 1991/2 and have only recently began training a few point to pointers at my own place.' He added 'the John Mike Punch Syndicate are a great bunch of owners and we'll mix it between hurdles and Flat handicaps with Lemagurut now.'
Christmas also came early for Ratoath based handler Hugh Finegan as he saddled his first winner when Santa's Girl landed the Sligo Park Handicap Hurdle under promising seven pound claimer Bobby Molloy.
The homebred daughter of Little Bighorn made smooth progress from halfway before hitting the front at the second last flight although was all out for a half length win. Finegan, 36, later stated 'I'm delighted because Santa's Girl is my only horse and it's a real family success.'
Owner Raymond Yeung appears to have a speedy engine in his possession after his Monashee Star landed a gamble (8/1 - 4/1) to win the opening six furlong auction maiden. Trainer Tom Hogan later reported 'he is a nice horse and ran very green in a decent race at Ballinrobe on his debut. He should make a fine three year old.'
The Sligo Claiming Race went to James Burns' Rochetto under a fine ride from Davy Condon. Condon rode a patient race before making steady progress to lead well inside the final furlong for a one length win over Nok Twice.
Burns commented 'Davy gave that a lovely ride and we are always delighted to have him on our side. The filly is owned by Mrs Jude Dene who has been a loyal supporter of mine for some time.'
Trainer Brian Nolan has a hurdling career in mind for his Time On Your Side following the three year old's success in the second division of the 1m4f handicap. The easy six length winner, who was ridden by David Moran, will be aimed at a similar event at Wexford next month and her handler added 'she likes an ease in the ground and will hopefully avoid a big penalty for that win.'
Gerry Keane's Philgirl won Division one of the Allianz PLC Handicap under seven pound apprentice Shane Gorey while Paul Gilligan's Fiza collected the two mile maiden hurdle under Conor O'Dwyer.
Jockey Niall Madden was finding it difficult to ride losers before going on holidays recently and returned to partner No Half Session to win the bumper for Noel Meade.
Thomas Weekes.
