Joe Murphy to the fore in Listowel

Fethard trainer Joe Murphy had a very good week, starting on Monday in Listowel with John Cannon putting it all together to finally get off the mark over obstacles in the Connollys Red Mills EBF Auction Maiden Hurdle by eight lengths, with former champion apprentice jockey Connor King recording his first jumps success in Ireland in the process.

John Ryan teamed up with Harry Swan as My Gaffer was an impressive winner in the Eric Browne Memorial INH Flat Race, Swan dictating throughout and keeping enough in the tank to hold off the challengers and pull away once more inside the final furlong, scoring by two and three-quarter lengths.

Tuesday was a Flat day at Listowel but that made no difference to Murphy, who recorded a double and helped jockey Gary Carroll record a treble in the process. Murphy got off the mark as Prophets Voice cantered to a three-length success in the Jet, Peggy & Eamonn O’Carroll Maiden for colts and geldings over seven furlongs.

Lord Massusus was just as impressive for Carroll and Murphy when pulling away for a two-and-a-half-length success in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Premier Nursery over a mile.

A consummate piece of navigation by Shane Crosse ensured Joseph O’Brien’s Neptune Rock came out on top in thrilling finish to the Listed Edmund & Josie Whelan Memorial Listowel Stakes, winning by a half-length, with two noses separating second from third and third from fourth.

On Wednesday at Listowel, the Denis Hogan-trained Macgiloney took the Devon Inn Hotel Handicap Hurdle by just a nose under young jockey Daniel King, holding off a storming finish from Perceval Legallois. It was a tenth career success for the admirable gelding.

Rachael Blackmore was also on the board as Life In The Park put in a very good performance in the colours of former Gold Cup winner Minella Indo to win the Brandon Hotel Beginners Chase for trainer Henry de Bromhead.

Back on the Flat at Listowel on Thursday, Lark In The Mornin displayed a nice turn of foot in testing conditions, recording a neck success under a confident Shane Crosse in the Buckley Agri Irish EBF Median Auction Maiden to provide Joseph O’Brien with the first leg of a treble.

On Friday at Listowel, the Sam Curling-trained Monas Melody won the Listowel Failte Abhaile QR Race by two and a quarter lengths, John Gleeson getting a lovely tune out of the Tipperary-trained horse.

Edward O’Grady was able to call upon Killenaule neighbour Rachael Blackmore to guide Rumi in the John Lynch Memorial Maiden Hurdle at Listowel on Saturday and the Grand National, Champion Hurdle and Gold Cup-winning rider was able to steer the son of Harzand – running in his trainer’s colours – to a smooth eight-length success.

Denis Hogan secured the services of talented youngster John Gleeson for the Brendan Daly Memorial INH Flat Race and Gleeson kept Thecompanysergeant up to his work to be always holding Realistic Optimism over the final two furlongs, a half-length separating them at the winning post.

Emly teenager Tom Kiely Marshall sprang a surprise in the Tipperary Crystal Apprentice Handicap at Curragh Racecourse on Saturday, as French Rescue reeled in long-time leader Star Of Cashel to prevail by a length and a quarter at odds of 80/1 for trainer John Geoghegan.

Gavin Ryan teamed up with Michael Grassick to score in the opening William Hill Free Or 4 Irish EBF Maiden with Small Oasis, who showed clear improvement from her debut to prevail by four and three-quarter lengths.

Aidan O’Brien brought a memorable week that also included significant cross-channel success to a conclusion with a double at Curragh Racecourse on Sunday, starting off with the Ryan Moore-ridden Espionage in the Williamhill.ie Irish EBF Maiden over seven furlongs.

Following up on a debut runner-up finish at Galway, the Galileo juvenile recorded a smooth success, with stablemate Sierra Blanca staying on to be a one-and-three-quarter-length second.

The double was racked up by Waterville in dramatic fashion, Wayne Lordan producing a last-to-first run in the closing stages to bag the €330,000 first prize in the Irish Cesarewitch by a neck from Echoes And Rain, who went so close to delivering for Killenaule jockey Rachael Blackmore, making a rare appearance on the Flat for trainer Willie Mullins.

Lord Massusus followed up his Listowel victory earlier in the week with another for trainer Joseph Murphy in the Irish EBF Auction Series Race. Though down a quarter of a mile to six furlongs and getting caught in a pocket, the Markaz gelding showed an impressive turn of foot to end up a ready length and a half winner.

Ben Coen delivered Devore right on the line to win the William Hill Extra Place Nursery Handicap by a neck for trainer Johnny Murtagh.

Upcoming Meetings

Bellewstown – Wednesday, September 28 (First Race 2.00pm)

Clonmel – Thursday, September 29 (First Race 1.50pm)

Bellewstown – Thursday, September 29 (First Race 2.05pm)

Gowran Park – Friday, September 30 (First Race 2.07pm)

Dundalk – Friday, September 30 (First Race 5.25pm)

Killarney – Saturday, October 1 (First Race 1.55pm)

Gowran Park – Saturday, October 1 (First Race 2.17pm)

Tipperary – Sunday, October 2 (First Race 1.15pm)

Killarney – Sunday, October 2 (First Race 1.35pm)