Progressive Paddy a first Listed winner for Eoin McCarthy Available at 4/1 overnight and well supported off course in the morning, Shadow Paddy went off the 5/4 favourite for the Tote-sponsored Listed novice hurdle at Limerick and won in decisive fashion under Simon Torrens. A winner off just 95 on handicap debut at Tipperary in May, the five-year-old came here on a mark of 121 after two further handicap victories. Having raced just behind the leaders, he moved smoothly into contention approaching the straight and headed stablemate Carrig Island at the second-last before going away to post a three and three-quarter lengths victory. Ballykinlar came through for second on the run-in to deny trainer Eoin McCarthy a one-two. Shadow Paddy was one of six winners for McCarthy at last month's Listowel festival and he said: "That is our first Listed horse and is my biggest win. It mightn't have been the strongest race but it still took winning, it is a lovely pot and the (Complete Package) syndicate are enjoying it. "He is a big raw horse and is improving all the time so the dream is still alive. He is learning about the game and once he stays in one piece, he has a bright future. He won't go on winter ground so we'll put him away now until next spring. "The syndicate are mad to travel (to Britain) but it was me all along who was holding back. We can now start about thinking about the likes of the Aintree festival and he has such a laid-back way of racing that you could aim him at a lot of different places. "I was also delighted with Carrigg Island although Darragh (O'Keeffe) said he was leaning into the cut-up ground. He will make a lovely novice chaser next summer." Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
