Howya opens 'track' account in claimer Kevin Healy gave Rocky’s Howya a well-judged front-running ride to land this afternoon's opening claiming hurdle at Limerick by a wide margin. The 13/8 favourite bounced out in front in the two-mile-five contest and Healy kicked for home early in the straight, nicking a few lengths on his rivals. Rocky’s Howya stayed on stoutly down over the last couple of flights as he posted a 20-length success over Embittered. Former Pointer Finally Off The Mark The Declan Queally-trained winner (backed from 4/1 this morning) was a prolific sort in point-to-points a couple of years ago and had been third in a handicap hurdle at Punchestown on his most recent outing. Queally said:- “He was the champion point-to-pointer one year, so it is amazing that this is the first race he has won on a racecourse. “It's nice to actually win a race with him and David (Kiely, owner) has had him a long time. "In the original entries he was set to carry more weight, but I dropped him to weight him fairly and if somebody claims him now, so be it. If he stays, we'll try and find something similar. "He has paid for himself this year again, so I'm happy out." Following the race, Timmy Tuesday (third) was claimed by Rachel O'Neill for €10,000 and Embittered (second) was claimed by Anthony McCann for €5,000 (Quotes by Tom Weekes)
