'It's been an unbelievable few days' - phenomenal afternoon for Limerick trainer Eric McNamara as he saddles 159-1 treble

Trainer Eric McNamara has long held a distinct association with the Harvest Festival by saddling three winners of the Kerry National, but his prolificacy at this season's meeting has been extraordinary.

His Rathkeale stable has had five winners and six places from 15 runners over the past three days, and Frankendael kicked off a remarkable 159-1 treble for the trainer on day six of the meeting when landing the feature 2m Listed handicap hurdle under Daniel King. 

The five-year-old belied his inexperience to thunder clear of the redoubtable Lord Erskine after the last in the €100,000 contest on his just fourth start over hurdles, having got off the mark for McNamara at Ballinrobe last month. 

King took his time on the winner but began to creep onto the heels of the leaders as they straightened up for the second-last, where Lord Erskine went for home on landing. The rider urged his mount alongside the leader at the final flight, which he jumped more fluently than the runner-up, before quickening away to score at 9-1.

"That was magic," said the winning trainer. "He's a lovely horse, who has been improving. I thought he won his maiden hurdle nicely the last day. When we entered this race I thought it was a long shot, but we went for this instead of one of the novice hurdles when he snuck in at the bottom.

"He's a particularly good jumper and loves soft ground. He's won a beautiful pot now. His owners are very loyal and fantastic people – they deserve it."

The magic soon continued, and punters cottoned on as Mount Ferns was heavily supported into 3-1 favourite for the 2m handicap hurdle, scoring by a cosy two lengths under Sean Flanagan.

McNamara was then able to relax for the finish of the 2m3½f handicap chase as his 3-1 joint-favourites and stablemates Cahirdown Boy and Gaelic Des Chastys fought out the finish.

Cahirdown Boy claimed victory by half a length to give Flanagan a double at the expense of King on the runner-up.

McNamara added: "If you grab a hold of him to try to settle him he'll arrive at the second last and the race is over. Sean did a marvellous job on him as he dropped the hands on him. As long as you get him relaxed, he'll come home. He gave him some ride.

"The horses are in great form. We obviously aim for Listowel and it has been an unbelievable few days." 

Seddon strikes

Seddon reeled off a remarkable handicap treble at Leopardstown, Cheltenham and Punchestown in the 2022-23 season, and proved he is far from done with yet as Finn Buckley partnered him to a commanding five-length success over Ascending in the 1m6f conditions race. 

Trained by John McConnell, the 11-year-old was off for six months after finishing third in the American Grand National in October, returning with two chase efforts during the summer. However, he has thrived on the Flat the last twice, scoring at Killarney last month before this success as 7-2 joint-favourite gave the versatile performer the 11th victory of his career.

Buckley said: "I was delighted to get the leg up. I was a passenger the whole way. He's 11, but once he gets rocking and rolling he feels like he's only new to it. It was some spin and he's a star."

Clare collects

West Clare deservedly got off the mark for trainer Brian McMahon in the 2m6f handicap hurdle, fending off Granda George by a length and a half under Richie Deegan at odds of 9-2.

The seven-year-old was narrowly denied at Galway this month but made no mistake under a patient ride from Deegan.

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