LOCAL trainer Eric McNamara picked-up his now almost customary Limerick winner courtesy of the well-supported Falco Blitz (3/1) in the Good Luck to all Irish Runners at Cheltenham Veterans Handicap Chase of €16,500 on Sunday.
Owed by Shane Carmody of Cratloe/Adare, the winner was given a find ride by the trainer’s son Conor.
Eric was absent, and Conor quipped to irishracing.com: “Dad is gone to Lanzarote for the week of Cheltenham — he told me he has gone sunning himself but unless he gets it through the bar window, he’ll struggle!”
On a serious note, he added: “These veterans’ races are a great idea and it is lovely for the likes of Falco Blitz to keep his confidence up.”
The plan, however, is for Eric be at Cheltenham as the Rathkeale handler has two entries in the Pertemps Final on Thursday.
On his birthday, champion owner JP McManus enjoyed victory with Bioluminescence (7/4) in the featured Grade 3 Irish Stallion Farms EBF Shannon Spray Mares Novice Hurdle of €30,500. Ridden by Simon Torrens, he is trained in Meath by Gavin Cromwell.
Waterford trainer Henry de Bromhead signed-off the meeting with a fine double, courtesy of 16/1 shot Hurricane Cliff (ridden by Daniel King) and Sommesky (John Gleeson), 85/40 favourite.
