< Count John appeared to have plenty to do in the feature event at Limerick but continued on the upgrade with a gutsy win in the Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund Race.
Sent off the 10-1 outsider of six for the & euro;22,500 event over an extended six furlongs, the Jim Gorman-trained Intikhab gelding showed plenty of guts in holding off Lastkingofscotland by a short-head, with Jim Bolger's filly Blas Ceoil (2-1 favourite) in third.
Unraced as a two-year-old, the Chris Hayes-ridden winner is now two from three and making rapid strides.< Moving Heart got off the mark in taking style when landing the Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund Fillies Maiden in the hands of Pat Smullen.
Dropping back in trip to seven furlongs after being beaten a head over nine furlongs at Cork last time out, the 3-1 chance asserted late on to win going away from the Lady O'Reilly-owned 9-4 favourite Samba School
Out of luck with Samba School, Kevin Prendergast enjoyed better fortune with Chibcha (12-1) in the Shannon Fillies Handicap, with Hayes - again in the Lady O'Reilly colours - getting a real tune out of the daughter of High Chaparral and pushing her right out to just get the better of Dash Back
Lady O'Reilly's racing manager James Kelly said: "Chibcha is a funny filly and the plan was to miss the break and try to trick her into it."
Odds-on backers had a scare in the opening Hot Press (C & G) Median Auction Maiden as Castor (4-9) was pushed all the way through the final furlong by Gagnant
Billy Lee 's mount would not be denied, however, and in the end had a neck to spare.
Fozzy Stack, son and assistant to his father, Tommy, said: "Castor was held up for three or four days recently with a bruised foot. He may go for a handicap next."
Champion apprentice Emmet McNamara struck in the Spin Southwest Handicap aboard 12-1 chance Drombeg Dawn who was available at 20-1 in the morning.
end
© www.irish-racing.com
