Tommy Lyons

1 week ago | irishexaminer.com | Tommy Lyons

This two-day meeting in Tramore has been particularly kind to Alex Harvey, who rode a double here on Sunday and added another on his Student Race Day when guiding Our Zebo to victory in the Anne Valley Walk Handicap Hurdle. Trained in Co Derry by Noel Kelly, the grey appreciated the patient ride from Harvey, who delivered him to challenge coming down the hill for the final time before pushing him clear close home. “I’d never ridden a winner here before yesterday,” said a delighted Harvey.

1 week ago | irishexaminer.com | Tommy Lyons

In the last week, the students packed Leopardstown and Limerick, and this afternoon it is the turn of Tramore to welcome them to the track for a seven-race programme. For punters, it is a difficult-looking programme, but there has been enough promise in the hurdling efforts of Joueuse Royale to believe that she can make a winning debut over fences in the Tramore Promenade Beginners’ Chase.

1 week ago | irishexaminer.com | Tommy Lyons

Four meetings make for a busy weekend in Ireland, but the quality, with the exception of the action on Saturday afternoon at the Curragh, is modest. Bellewstown hosts a National Hunt meeting and First Dare can go one place better than last year when she contests the Boardsmill Stud Mares’ Handicap Hurdle. Liz Doyle’s now seven-year-old finished runner-up to Me Wee Bonnie Lass in this race in 2024 and there is nothing of that calibre in the line-up this time.

2 weeks ago | irishexaminer.com | Tommy Lyons

The students thronged Limerick Racecourse on Thursday afternoon, giving it a feel of the big festival days in Ireland, and they were rewarded with arguably the best day of the year to date. On the track, it was a great afternoon for Cian Quirke, who made an early impact by taking the first two races to complete a near 85-1 double. Preparations was first up, and the Andy Slattery-trained filly made a winning debut over obstacles in the Big Biss Fillies’ Maiden Hurdle.

2 weeks ago | irishexaminer.com | Tommy Lyons

Janes Harbour can give local owner JP McManus an opening race winner on Thursday’s card in Limerick. Trained by Joseph O’Brien, the Camelot filly showed some promise on her sole start on the level, and in her first three starts over hurdles, most notably when a close third behind Cruden in a Cork maiden. Following a mid-winter break, she went to Fairyhouse in late February and found only Maxios Prime too good.