Trainer Michael Hourigan looks to have new competition in Limerick as his son of the same name stole the show when registering his first training success with Lemagurut in the Foley's Bar Handicap Hurdle.
The elder Hourigan, not easily upset,later joked: "I'm under pressure now!" as he greeted his son's winner to the
winner's enclosure.
Michael Hourigan Junior took out his license last month and Lemagurut, only his second runner, received the Ruby
Walsh treatment before beating Knockreer Native by a neck in a tight finish.
The delighted winning trainer did mention: "I was Champion Amateur Jockey in England in 1991/2 and have only recently began training a few point to pointers at my own place."
He added:"The John Mike Punch Syndicate are a great bunch of owners and we'll mix it between hurdles and Flat handicaps
with Lemagurut now."
Christmas also came early for Ratoath based handler Hugh Finegan as he saddled his first winner when Santa's
Girl landed the Sligo Park Handicap Hurdle under promising seven pound claimer Bobby Molloy.
The homebred daughter of Little Bighorn made smooth progress from halfway before hitting the front at the second last flight although was all out for a half length win.
Finegan, 36, later stated: "I'm delighted because Santa's Girl is my only horse and it's a real family success."
Filed by James McMahon
