Listowel brings out the best in Ifitwasme again Eric McNamara saddled two for the Lane Family Memorial Handicap and his Robert Whearty-partnered 11/1 shot Ifitwasme made light of an absence since Christmas to take the two miler in style at Listowel. Like many of his stable companions the Dragon Pulse gelding clearly excels at the venue, and he was adding to a hurdle success attained here at the Harvest Festival in September. From his midfield sit, Ifitwasme made progress under three furlongs out, and went second on the outer two furlongs out. Ridden to lead over a furlong out, the five-year-old was soon clear, keeping on well to beat Chatterbox by three and three parts of a length. The other McNamara runner, Say It So (16/1) finished ninth. "Even though it was his first run back, we knew he was in good form. His homework, for some reason, had been better in the last few weeks than it ever was and came good on the day," said McNamara. "He got the trip well and galloped out through the line well. He likes it here, will be back here in September, but will also run during the summer, and could go for a two-mile Flat handicap at Galway." The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Autumn Twist, trained by Denis Gerard Hogan, at the request of the Raceday Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal. S.T. McCullagh, rider of The Dubliner (FR), trained by Colm Ryan, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount never travelled. J.A. Heffernan, rider of Chatterbox, trained by John Joseph Murphy, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount was forced to come a little wider than ideal for a run. (TW & EM)
