Mike O'Connor back to winning ways on Capture The Action for old boss Mangan

Limerick: Tuesday

Capture The Action bounced back to close to her best to land the mares' handicap hurdle and give jockey Mike O'Connor his first win since returning from more than four months on the sidelines.

Last successful at Wexford in March 2021, the Jimmy Mangan-trained nine-year-old coasted home under O'Connor, building on a promising reappearance at the same south-eastern venue last month.

Having initially been stationed with Mangan before moving to Henry de Bromhead, O’Connor, who returned to competitive action in September after his fall at the Punchestown festival, was landing a first winner for his former boss.

“The secret about her is she must give the outside to no-one," Mangan said of Capture The Action, who was sent off the 9-2 joint-favourite. "That’s what we told Mikey to do.

"He started off with me as a young lad and I’m delighted to give him a winner now. He’s down with Henry and he’s in the right place. Please God, he comes up the ladder."

First for Moloney

Diarmuid Moloney scored his first track winner with a positive ride on Grainne O’Connor’s Brandy Harbour in the 2m handicap hurdle, coming home with 14 lengths in hand.

Diarmuid Moloney after his first track win on Brandy Harbour in the 2m handicap hurdleCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

The 24-year-old claimer from County Clare has been working with Derek O’Connor – the trainer's brother-in-law – having returned from Paul Nicholls’ yard.

“I was going to get my conditional licence over there but I broke my hand, so I decided to come home," Moloney said. "There are more opportunities at home and I’m delighted to get the win.”

It wasn’t the sole Clare victory on the card as Chainofconsequence battled valiantly to land the 2m5f handicap hurdle having been upped in trip by Newmarket-on-Fergus-based Aengus King.

Local flavour

The appropriately named Luimneach – Irish for Limerick – took the 2m3f maiden hurdle under a perfectly timed challenge from Aidan Kelly.

JP McManus's five-year-old had shown promise in recent outings at Downpatrick and Wexford and found further improvement to see off Cheerful Chap by a length for Des McDonogh.

Reserves step up

Tony Martin’s Brookie seized his chance when getting into the first division of the Adare Manor Opportunity Maiden Hurdle as third reserve. He returned a well-backed 10-11 market leader and the trainer was grateful that he got in.

“Someone pulled out yesterday morning, which gave us a great chance," Martin said. "He’s had plenty of experience and hopefully he’ll make a nice chaser. He jumps very well.”

In the second division, drama unfolded when Phils Choice ran out through the inside rail approaching the second-last when she was five lengths clear, sending PJ O’Hanlon flying.

Horse and rider returned unscathed, but their exit opened the door for 22-1 shot Elusive Guy – another who got in as a reserve – to see off Hi Ski and give trainer Jarlath Fahey his first jumps winner in 563 days.

Gordon Elliott’s sole runner on the card struck in the bumper when 7-4 shot Shecouldbeanything made all for a ready victory under Aine O’Connor.

Results, replays, analysis

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