Reports from Limerick and Down Royal: The Jessica Harrington-trained Intelligent credited Robert Power with his first winner since mid-September by landing the featured Guinness Greenmount Park Novice Chase at a well-attended Limerick yesterday. Owned by Norman Moore from Athy, Intelligent eventually beat favourite Barrow Drive by five lengths.
However, the undoubted star of the afternoon was amateur Richie Harding who amazingly partnered no less than four winners.
Harding (21) is attached to Michael Hourigan's local Patrickswell stable and he recorded his first success of the afternoon when his governor's previous course bumper winner Oliverjohn took the Pricewaterhousecoopers Maiden Hurdle and then made all the running with Hourigan's King Carew in the Tom Cross Drilling Hurdle.
Meanwhile, he later combined with Hourigan's fomer stable jockey Kevin O'Brien to win the Au Bars Handicap Hurdle with Reminscer.
Harding's fourth winner came courtesy of Hourigan's Dromhale Lady in the Rathbarry Stud Blueprint Handicap Chase. However, he undoubtedly had luck on his side here as Eric McNamara's Keepakicker was assured of victory when capsizing at the final obstacle.
Ulster champion point-to-point jockey Liam Lennon from Newry will always remember this Christmas as he scored his first success as a trainer at Down Royal yesterday.
Lennon won with Franco's Kid, who won the handicap chase under Warrenpoint jockey Mark O'Haire at the rewarding odds of 20 to 1.
"I can't believe it," said an obviously stunned Lennon as he went to greet his winner.
"Franco's Kid was bought only four months ago and is the only horse I have in training. It's a marvellous occasion."
It was a day for big-priced winners. In the Opportunity Handicap Hurdle, Willoughby Joe scored at 25 to 1 for Wexford trainer Tony Black.
"I've never had a runner in the North before, in fact I have a very small stable and Willoughby Joe was my last winner on St Patrick's Day this year. I have no plans for Willoughby Joe. But it's nice to get a touch at a big price.
