Starford, and Browne McMonagle, resume winning ways Narrowly beaten at the Galway festival when bidding for a hat-trick, Starford, sent off the well-backed 13/8 favourite, resumed winning ways in the featured John McGuire Handicap at Listowel. Returning from suspension, Dylan Browne McMonagle took his time on Newtown Anner Stud's homebred son of Beckford who made good headway on the outer in the straight. In front over a furlong out, the winner raced clear to beat Granite Bay by three and a half lengths. It completed an across-the-cards double for Joseph O'Brien who was on target at Fairyhouse with Love Is Blind. Browne McMonagle said: "There was plenty of deadwood in front of me turning into the straight and he had to come wide but I kept out on the best ground and kept it smooth. He is an improving horse and was the best horse in the race, so I didn't want to interfere with him. "He quickened up good and hit the line well. Hopefully he can keep going through the grades and is definitely a nice handicapper for the rest of the year." Regarding his jockeys' title battle (leads Colin Keane 78-75), he added : "You wouldn't have expected any less from Colin in riding all those winners in the last few days, as he is the champion and will always get winners. I just have to try to keep chasing them too." Speaking from Fairyhouse, Joseph O'Brien added: "He won really well. He had a great run in Galway in a strong race and he had a nice freshen-up since. “He handled the soft ground well and it’s a big advantage down there today. “We could look at something like the Finale Stakes (at the Curragh on November 2nd) . He’s not EBF qualified so we have to mix and match where we go. “He’s a smart horse and I’d say he’s going to end up in stakes company.” Additional reporting by Tom Weekes and Gary Carson
