Fast Felix a popular local Listowel winner for McCarthy Athea based trainer Eoin McCarthy seldom leaves Listowel without a winner and, having already tasted festival success this week, he added to his tally when Fast Felix ran out an easy victor of the Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Hurdle. Off the mark in a maiden hurdle at Killarney last time, the seven-year-old was sent off a 7/1 chance in the colours of Sean Maguire. Ridden by Dingle jockey Thomas O'Connor, the gelding was held up mid division in the initial stages. Closing onto the heels of the leaders after three out, Fast Felix travelled strongly into the straight. Heading leader Tulepo Mississippi two out, Fast Felix quickened right away to score easily by three-and-a-quarter lengths from Paul's Dream. With the winner receiving a great reception, McCarthy said: "The form of his maiden hurdle win has stood up and his Killarney run was good enough to win this. Tom (O'Connor) is a lovely young fella, he comes in to me one day a week and he is going the right way. "Sean and Brenda (Maguire, owners) are from Armagh and are huge supporters of my yard. Over the years they have hugely bought into this festival meeting and this is a huge buzz for them, as they have loads of friends here. "We are blessed with our staff at home and they are all very good. You are always leaning on people in this game so it is great to see all the people getting a great kick from a winner from a local yard." Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes.
