Racing: Conem made it two wins from two runs at Listowel this week as he powered away with the Edmond Whelan Memorial Handicap Hurdle. The eight-year-old was a nine-length winner at the track on Thursday and he recorded a similarly convincing verdict for Barry Geraghty in this two-and-a-half-mile event.
Despite shouldering a 9lb penalty, Conem was sent off one of three 5-1 co-favourites and after taking it up before the straight, the result was never in doubt with Conem breezing home by five lengths from Red Vinto.
Winning trainer Willie Austin said: "After he won so well here on Thursday, we decided to take our chance today. He won well again and we will keep him over hurdles for a while.
"He wasn't right in himself last year but he seems much better this year. He's a great jumper of a fence and will go chasing later on in the year."
Geraghty was completing a double after City Meaning (9-4 favourite) had got the better of brave front-runner Dunroe Lady in Division Two of the Charlie Chute Memorial Maiden Hurdle.
Born High (2-1 favourite) edged out Diaego in a thrilling finish to the first division of that maiden event.
Glenquin Castle (9-1) proved most game when breaking a long losing spell in the Charleville Cheese Maiden Hurdle.
Trained by Andrew McNamara and ridden by his son, who is also called Andrew, the eight-year-old drew five and a half lengths clear of Shake The Bottle after the last.
The winning handler said: "The horse won his bumper first time out here, but he's had a lot of problems since then. He is a chaser in the making but we did not want to risk him over fences on the fast ground during the summer but he will go chasing straight away now."
Cork All Star, placed in Grade One company over hurdles last season, proved a disappointment in the Listowel Races Supporters Club Slan Abhaile (QR) Race.
He finished out of the frame as 25-1 shot Fivestar Alstars registered a surprise win.