Jockey Davy Russell gave an exhibition of how to apply waiting tactics when landing the featured Listowel Races Supporters Club Lartigue Hurdle on David Kiely's 'moody' Dyrick Daybreak.
Riding to instructions of 'do not hit her and 'drop' her on the line', Russell brilliantly coaxed the filly to lead in the last stride without resorting to his whip and denied 11/2 shot Hanorla by a head.
Afterwards trainer David Kiely paid tribute to Russell while also crediting his wife Breda for 'encouraging' him to run Dyrick Daybreak after the filly had performed poorly at The Curragh recently.
Central Billing completed his sixth consecutive handicap success (four chases and two hurdles) in the Kerry Petroleum Handicap Chase. Timmy Murphy maintained his excellent association with the horse and held the challenge of Mandys Gold by three parts of a length.
According to trainer Michael Hourigan, the full brother to Golden Row 'has been declared to will not reappear in the Kerry National tomorrow but may now revert to hurdles.'
Co. Kilkenny trainer Aoife Kent recorded her eighth training success and her first at Listowel when her Contradiction landed a gamble (12/1 to 8/1) in the 'Ireland's Own' Handicap (Division 1).
The third season trainer later gave credit to jockey Timmy Houlihan, stating 'Contradiction is inclined to race freely but Timmy held him really well and kept him covered up. We might try for a follow up at Fairyhouse next Wednesday.'
Another trainer to land his first Listowel winner was Curragh trainer Edgar Byrne who saddled Janadam to land Division 2 of the 'Ireland's Own' Handicap, for jockey Robbie Burke. A delighted Byrne later explained 'that's a very sweet victory because it was my first winner for owner Cyril Kiernan who has had horses in training with me ever since I started.'
The Con Collins trained Ocean Bounty landed the opening seven furlong Brandon Hotel Auction Maiden under Pat Shanahan. The even-money favourite appeared to have a lot to do entering the straight but battled well to get up in the dying strides to defeat Urban by a short head.
Afterwards Natalie Collins, daughter of the winning trainer, stated 'we're delighted with that, he hung a little bit coming around the final bend but stayed on really well.'
Bookmakers enjoyed a good result when 10/1 shot (from 7/1) Irish Verse won the Foynes Handicap under Declan McDonogh. Michael Holden's daughter of Indian Ridge stayed on strongly in the closing stages for a length win over well backed 100/30 favourite Flying Boat, with Girl Wonder half a length away in third.
Jockey Pat Smullen was seen at this strongest when winning on Dermot Weld's Forty Grand in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden.
The winner hung in towards the runner-up Rock Of Cashel in the closing stages but Smullen kept his mount straight to defeat the 5/6 favourite by a head. Smullen later reported 'he was very green in front but can improve from this performance.'
Camels Cross overcame a few frustrating placed efforts when winning the concluding maiden hurdle for trainer Michael Kiernan and jockey David Casey.
