TAYLORS THREE ROCK, owned and trained by Eric McNamara of Beechmount Stables in Rathkeale, led from flagfall to finish to land the €11,500 South of Ireland Mares’ Handicap Hurdle over two miles at Listowel on Bank Holiday Monday.
Jockey Mark McDonagh adopted an aggressive front-running ride on the 16/1 shot. The pair made all and were soon well clear of the field, only for the deficit to be reduced somewhat three furlongs from home and further again nearing the last but McDonagh was strong on the seven-year-old mare.
She hit the line with a length and a quarter in hand from a keeping-on Red Ball of Fire (8/1), with the 11/4 favourite Betty Dutton a further two lengths behind in third.
This was Taylors Three Rock’s breakthrough success on her 10th start across the Flat, bumpers and hurdle races.
