Last Kingdom leads home McManus 1-2 in Lartigue Hurdle Willie Mullins and J.P. McManus combined for a memorable one-two in the feature race at Listowel as Last Kingdom returned to winning form in impressive style. McManus One-Two Highlights Listowel Feature The Willie Mullins trained Last Kingdom led home a one-two for owner J.P. McManus when winning the featured Listowel Races Supporters Club Lartigue Hurdle In Memory Of John Molyneaux (Listed Handicap). Successful on his only start in France, the gelding had proved slightly disappointing in his initial Irish runs before scoring impressively at Fairyhouse over Easter. Following two second placed finishes, the son of Choeur Du Nord had a mid summer break before returning to action when mid division at Galway last time. Always up with the pace this afternoon, Last Kingdom headed Louiescall after three out. Pressing on into the straight, the 15/2 chance stayed on well to beat Puturhandstogether by two-and-three-quarter lengths. The latter, who had won at the Cheltenham Festival in March, was also owned by J.P. McManus. Cheekpieces Prove Key to Winning Performance Jockey Paul Townend said: "I think the cheekpieces helped him sharpen up his jumping and also helped him travel throughout the race. We were a little at sea in Galway without the cheekpieces, so I thought they might bring out improvement and they did." "He jumped much better and travelled sweeter today. "I got the run of the race at the front end and while I committed him plenty early, I was confident of him staying on that ground. "Today was important for him as he had been a while finding his form but he found it on the right day. He will probably end up running in those big handicap hurdles now." Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes.
