McNamara doubles-up with Lenjoleur De Palma After his West Of Bally took the opener, Eric McNamara doubled-up with Lenjoleur De Palma (11/4f) in the Limerick Races On Facebook Handicap Hurdle. Previously trained in the UK by Tom Ellis and bought by current connections for 9,000 pounds in May, the Born To Sea four-year-old was narrowly beaten over the course and distance last month. Nicely positioned behind the leaders and jumping well throughout under Paddy O'Brien, he eased to the front approaching the penultimate obstacle and quickly went on before the last, eventually coming home eight-lengths to the good in the colours of Paddy and Anne Kennedy. Top-weight Onefortheditch (9/2) filled the runner-up spot, while Le Fanu (25/1) was another five-and-a-half lengths back in third. "He is a lovely horse and wasn't one of the dear ones we have bought. I thought he had consistent form and he was recommended to me by an Englishman Ian Anderson who I used to train for, and he owned half of him," McNamara commented. "He is very straightforward, is an absolute dinger to jump and I just warned Paddy that this horse had boot, and to take his time. I told him not to go to the front too soon and the horse got there too soon the last day. "He is a handy horse but jumps so well that he could jump a fence in time." STEWARDS REPORTS * Michael Kenneally, rider of Finnicky Filly, trained by John Patrick Ryan, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount never travelled on the ground. * The Raceday Stewards enquired into an incident on the approach to the first hurdle involving Onefortheditch, ridden by E. Staples, placed second, Kingdom Calling (FR), ridden by G.B. Noonan, unplaced, Back To Cali, ridden by A. Leahy, placed fourth, Lenjoleur De Palma (FR), ridden by P.M. O'Brien, placed first, Donnrua Dream, ridden by L. Quinlan, placed sixth, Fernhill Fling, ridden by D. Robinson, unplaced, Nazine, ridden by R.P. Treacy, unplaced and Masterstonemason, ridden by S. Cleary-Farrell, unplaced, where it appeared Onefortheditch got tight for room. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. E. Staples stated that he felt pressure from his inside and clipped a heel. G.B. Noonan stated he that received no interference. A. Leahy stated that things became tight but that he maintained his line. P.M. O'Brien stated that he felt a bit of pressure from the inside. L. Quinlan stated that he edged a small bit off the bend as his mount ran on his nerves but felt no pressure. D. Robinson stated that he took a precautionary check. R.P. Treacy stated that he maintained his line and felt no interference. S. Cleary-Farrell stated that he felt pressure from the outside but maintained his line. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Raceday Stewards were satisfied that no further action was warranted. Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
