Lonesome Boatman Cruises To Cork Success

Sean Allen's Lonesome Boatman was a popular local winner of the Paddy Power Cork Grand National.


The nine-year-old was an 8-1 chance under Darragh O'Keeffe for the three-and-a-half-mile Listed occasion and from the front from the outset, keeping up the gallop to prevail by 6 lengths.


The triumph was well gotten by the Cork crowd, with the trainer a small regional clothing based just 40 minutes far from the track.


Allen said: "That is astounding! Darragh rode the horse in Punchestown (last May) and put this race to us. We knocked the cobwebs off him at Listowel in September as you wouldn't want to be concerning this race without a run.


"Today was the plan and the man on his back - what can I state, he was brave as a lion all over. Even when he was 5 or 6 lengths ahead, he was still firing the horse at fences. The strategy was to go a gallop and he was really on-song.


"I farm in Araglin, which is 40 minutes away and this is my local course. I have eight horses and my bro Darragh, who is friendly with Darragh (O'Keeffe), rides out for me and I have a lot of local assistance too."


Lonesome Boatman at Cork (Thomas Weekes/PA)


Regarding strategies, the fitness instructor quipped: "Pints will be drunk and we'll speak about it then!".


Darragh O'Keeffe delighted in a treble on the card, with his very first winner being Mister Pessimistic in division one of the Paddy Power From The Horse's Mouth Podcast Maiden Hurdle.


A point-to-point and bumper winner, the four-year-old was a 4-11 preferred to preserve his unbeaten record and was simply under three lengths too helpful for Grey Jude, leaving fitness instructor Henry de Bromhead eyeing a step up to Grade One level.


De Bromhead stated: "He is a charming young horse, did it nicely in the end and the 2nd horse is a good horse as well. I got anxious after his error at the second-last but he jumped the last well and galloped out well. He is unbeaten and has not done anything wrong so ideally he'll keep advancing.


"There aren't lots of choices throughout Christmas so he might run in Leopardstown's Grade One beginner over two miles. I think nice ground is essential to him."


De Bromhead and O'Keeffe likewise collaborated to land the Paddy Power 'Did You Watch The Breeders Cup At All' Mares Maiden Hurdle with 6-5 favourite Echoing Silence.


Declan Queally struck Listed gold as Tackletommywoowoo landed the Paddy Power "How Many Days 'Til Christmas?" Irish EBF Novice Hurdle at 3-1 under Sean O'Keeffe.


The fitness instructor said: "He has actually come on a lot and while it is a little difficult to settle him, it isn't a huge task and when I spoke with Sean (O'Keeffe) ahead of time, he knew exactly what I wanted. You simply have to add to heels and after that provide him the reins, and Sean rode a beautiful race.


"The horse was purchased for little cash and well done to JD Moore who found him for us. He had actually been positioned in bumpers for a smaller fitness instructor in England, we paid 12 grand for him and the plan was simply to win a race with him.


"He'll get a couple of pounds in the handicap now but in some cases with a horse like this, there is absolutely nothing incorrect with having a high rating as you can box away racing in smaller fields and choose up money."


Eoin Griffin's Ol Man Dingle was the winner of the the Grade Three Paddy Power Betting Shops Irish EBF Novice Chase, scoring at 11-4 under rider Ricky Doyle.


"I put the tongue-tie back on Ol Man Dingle today - he doesn't require it however I wasn't taking any possibilities. Ricky provided him a lovely ride, the horse has dazzling scope however can be a little brave," stated Griffin.


"This horse will get an entry for the Drinmore now and while I know Willie's (Mullins, champion trainer) horses have yet to reappear, first of all we'll enjoy today and fret about that later on."