Sean Flanagan (yellow and blue) just got Misty Lady home in front in the feature at Listowel© Photo Healy Racing
< Misty Lady prevailed in a thrilling finish to the Ladbrokes Island Handicap Hurdle, the feature event at Listowel on Thursday.
With six of the eight runners still in with every chance approaching two out, Lily The Lioness looked to have done enough to pick up the & euro;36,000 first prize when forging ahead with a couple of good jumps.
However, Sean Flanagan's mount picked up well after the last and collared Garrett Power's runner right on the line to score by the shortest of margins.
Another exciting climax followed as the Devon Inn Hotel Handicap Hurdle produced a three-way photo-finish.< Kylecrue attempted to make all but was swamped approaching the final flight and it was Ongenstown Lad (20-1) that got the nod by a nose over Divine Rhapsody and Slygufftou < Archie Meade finally got off the mark over fences in the Kevin McManus Beginners Chase, but it was far from straightforward for the evens favourite.
Daniel Howard was hard at work on the 10-year-old approaching the final fence slightly down on Marvellous Moment but the leader fell and that left the winner stroll home eight and a half lengths clear of Itsonthelist < Fugi Mountain landed odds of 2-5 by three lengths over Its'afreebee in the closing Helena Sheahan Memorial (Pro/Am) Flat Race.
The pick of the Flat action was the Behans Horseshoe Bar & Restaurant Handicap, in which Ceylon (5-1) ran out an easy winner.
Always going well under Ronan Whealan, Patrick Prendergast's filly kicked clear as they swung for home and nothing else could land a blow as he crossed the line three and three-quarter lengths ahead of Face Value < Tadaany justified 7-4 favouritism in good style as he powered home to land the opening Tote Jackpot Guarantee Maiden by four and three-quarter lengths from Rainfall Radar < Snakes And Ladders (4-1fav) was second at County Kerry track on Wednesday and went one better in the Michael Daffy Car Sales Handicap.
Niall Maddan's five-year-old hit the front over a furlong out and opened up a big enough advantage to hold the late challen
