Well Set Up takes Limerick prize

Fahey mare could go for Grade One glory at Fairyhouse.

Well Set Up took advantage of a final-flight mistake by Lady Breffni to land an emotional victory in the Grade Three Kerry Group Irish EBF Shannon Spray Mares Novice Hurdle at Limerick.

Lady Breffni looked the likely winner when she led two out, but an error saw her lose momentum and let in the Mark Fahey-trained Well Set Up (4-1) in the hands of Ricky Doyle.

Wearing cheekpieces for the first time, the seven-year-old – winner of the Kerry Group Stayers Hurdle at Cork in December – went on to score by 10 lengths. Long-time leader Darrens Hope was third.

Fahey said: “Her owner-breeder Jean Corrigan passed a month ago and the whole family would be proud. Jean used to get great craic out of her and was proud of her.”

It is possible Well Set Up could retire to the paddocks – but Fahey has not ruled out a Grade One mission first.

“Her next plan is to go in-foal, but she might go for the two-and-a-half-mile Grade One novice hurdle at Fairyhouse,” he said.

“We’ll see what the connections want to do, but she has been absolutely brilliant. We are thinking about sending her to Getaway.”

Salsaretta took her unbeaten record over fences to four with a bloodless victory in the Charleville Cheese Irish EBF Mares Novice Chase.

Willie Mullins’ seven-year-old was two lengths behind Tintangle when she blundered two out, unseating Brian Hayes.

That left the Grade Two heat at Salsaretta’s mercy and the 2-5 shot was able coast home under Paul Townend by 11 lengths from Ask Mary.

Townend said: “We got the rub of the green again and I know I didn’t have to do anything from then (the second-last) home, but I stayed going better than I was probably going to.

“There would definitely have been a race of it and it could have been down to a good jump after that.”

Cafe Con Leche upset hot favourite Great Bear to win for the second time this month in the Follow Limerick Racecourse On Facebook Hurdle.

Off the mark at Clonmel 11 days earlier, Cafe Lon Leche (7-2) tracked Great Bear before jumping into the lead two out.

Ridden by his trainer Denis Hogan, the four-year-old drew clear of the 4-11 favourite to score by 10 lengths.

Hogan said: “We hacked around, we’d do more at home. He hasn’t worked since he won at Clonmel and loves being fresh.

“It was a blessing in disguise that he didn’t get into Cheltenham, as I would have run him. He had an easy race there, so it’s great that we’re here and great that racing is on.

Cherif De L’Isle was rewarded for a series of placed efforts when opening his account in Ireland the Follow Limerick Racecourse On Twitter Handicap Hurdle.

Gordon Elliott’s French import got his break when he jumped the last better than his main rival, 40-1 outsider The Ballyboys. The 3-1 favourite ran on well to win by four lengths under Davy Russell.

“Conditions, everything suited. He just doesn’t go any quicker, that’s him, he tries every day to be fair to him. He is a big, fine horse and was going to get his day eventually,” said the jockey.

Ballymacaw (28-1) got off the mark over jumps at the sixth attempt in the 63 Hospitality Packages At Limerick Racecourse Maiden Hurdle.

John Halley’s six-year-old led at the last and went on to score by two and a half lengths from Atlantic Shore.

Halley said: “He is a lovely horse with plenty ability and has done it now. He is a big, strong horse and he was crying out for that trip. He’ll go chasing and we’ll see what happens.”

Chief Of Police (9-4) stuck on well to hold the late flourish of Ellipsism in the Book Online At www.limerickraces.ie Beginners Chase.

The post came in time for Oliver McKiernan’s six-year-old who crossed the line half a length ahead under 5lb claimer Barry Browne.

The Philip Rothwell-trained Enduring Love (16-1) was awarded the Follow Limerick Racecourses On Instagram Handicap Chase following a stewards’ inquiry.

The front-running Killisk Ben Rose held Enduring Love by half a length, but was found to have caused interference to Adam Short’s mount and the placings were reversed.

Timmy Hyde’s On Eagles Wings (13-8) made all under Harry Swan, son of former top jockey Charlie Swan, to open his account in the Dunraven Arms Hotel (Pro/Am) Flat Race.

The six-year-old had previously finished second to Champion Bumper hero Ferny Hollow, and Hyde said: “It just shows you how good that horse who won in Cheltenham is.

“He likes soft ground and will be a nice horse to go jumping. I don’t think he’ll run again in a bumper and will probably go jumping next season – he jumps really well.”

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