Winning Rascal © Photo Healy Racing
Michael Hourigan is a long time winning races at the Harvest Festival and was back in the winner's enclosure at Listowel when Winning Rascal ran away with the second split of the Guinness Handicap Hurdle.
The Brian Boru gelding, fitted with a tongue-tie for the first time, turned around Kilbeggan form with a couple of his rivals to score at 18/1.
He made rapid headway on the approach to the straight and once moving past Humps And Bumps before the second-last, it was all over bar a fall. Darragh O'Keeffe kept him going to win by seven and a half lengths from Humps And Bumps. In a well strung-out field, it was a further eight lengths and the same back to Ballyglass Beauty and Jetango who completed the frame.
Hourigan said: "It wouldn't be Listowel if I didn't have a winner although I didn't think I'd get one this week!
"He has been disappointing and the last two times he ran he didn't jump great but the jockey makes a big difference. A fella that doesn't drink or smoke has a great chance and his heart is in the right place - all he wants to do is ride winners.
"I was lucky with Denis (Reddan, owner) for years and while we'll probably get a slap (from the handicapper), we'll go again soon."
Quotes from Tom Weekes
