RACING:Ballinahow Lady emerged a gallant winner in the feature Miceal Fitzgibon Memorial EBF Mares Novice Chase at Thurles yesterday. David O'Brien's 10/1 shot had Flamingos Gold for company when setting sail for home after jumping the third last.
Ros Brin was creeping into contention, though, and actually took a narrow lead on the dash for the line, only for Ballinahow Lady to battle back for a half-length verdict.
Moiqen may not be the force that won the Ballysax Stakes in 2008 but proved there is still life in the old dog with victory in the Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund Beginners Chase.
Philip Byrne’s 11/4 market leader moved up to touch down out over two out in a share of the lead and, despite a slightly awkward leap at the last, he had something in the tank and kept going to repel Stradbally by a length and a quarter. His jockey, Davy Russell, followed up when coming from another parish on Carry Each Other in the Devils Bit Beginners Chase.
Jolily (9/2) was no match for subsequent Thyestes runner-up Tarquinius at Leopardstown but met nothing of that calibre in the Happy St Valentine’s Day Handicap Chase and stretched five and a half lengths clear of Kakagh, while Letterlee Star claimed the Rock of Cashel Handicap Chase.
