Helen Bach in tune

Helen Bach notched her fourth and most valuable success of the season when denying the favourite Moving On Up in yesterday's £20,000 Harp Lager Handicap.

In the process she emphasised trainer Michael Halford's sparkling run of success that has seen him saddle 26 winners this year which include 19 this flat season.

Helen Bach was patiently ridden by Tadhg O'Shea who managed to avoid the bunching before the turn in that didn't help the chances of the favourite or Abikan and the filly ran out a length and a half winner.

Pat Smullen had a much happier time on the heavily backed Among Equals who easily beat the frustrating Ambry by a couple of lengths.

Dermot Weld was also on the mark in the last as the highly rated favourite Catherina predictably got the best of a slowly run race under a confident ride from Kevin O'Ryan.

Moscow Retreat will have a month's holiday as a reward for winning his fourth chase in the opener and despite not liking the ground he easily beat Secret Native.

"He's an exciting horse to have and after his break will be trained for the Dennys at Christmas," said Michael Hourigan.

The bookmaker turnover at Listowel yesterday took yet another dive with a figure of £851,743 comparing to a 1999 total of £864,114. However, the Tote aggregate increased slightly to a total of £236,217 from a 1999 figure of £226,17.