John Murtagh completed a double at Listowel today with Alamshar and Madalyar. When New South Wales (ground conditions) was deemed a non-runner in the opener Murtagh switched to stable-companion Alamshar and the newcomer made no mistake. The easy-to-back Aga Khan-owned colt was the first Oxx juvenile to make a winning bow this season.
Later the in-form Oxx/Murtagh alliance struck again with Madalyar which landed several tidy wagers in the ring when comfortably defeating front-running stable-companion White Queen in the 12f handicap.
Northern Mill provided Mooncoin, Co Kilkenny permit holder Eoin Doyle with his biggest success when making every yard a winning one under Willie Slattery in the featured Smithwicks Beer Handicap Hurdle. Despite flattening the penultimate flight Slattery kept the 12/1 chance up to his task to hold Touch Of Love.
Former Mark Johnston inmate Love sprang a 14/1 surprise for Curragh trainer Eddie Butler when he collared Contradiction close home under Colm O'Donoghue in the 7f handicap. David Casey and Cloudy Bays came home unchallenged in the Kevin McManus Beginners Chase after Lantern Leader and Paul Carberry parted company when giving chase at the last.
Favourite backers had better luck in the next when Banasan ran out the smooth winner of the maiden hurdle for Charlie Swan, who deputised for Norman Williamson still feeling the effects of a fall on Wednesday.
Filed by Laura Reynolds
