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 event and controlled from the front from the start, keeping up the gallop to prevail by 6 lengths.
The success was well received by the Cork crowd, with the trainer a small regional outfit based just 40 minutes away from the track.
Allen said: "That boggles the mind! 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 wish to be concerning this race without a run.
"Today was the strategy and the male on his back - what can I say, he was brave as a lion all over. Even when he was five or six lengths ahead, he was still firing the horse at fences. The plan was to go a gallop and he was actually on-song.
"I farm in Araglin, which is 40 minutes away and this is my regional course. I have eight horses and my sibling Darragh, who gets along with Darragh (O'Keeffe), trips out for me and I have lots of local assistance too."
Lonesome Boatman at Cork (Thomas Weekes/PA)
Regarding strategies, the fitness instructor quipped: "Pints will be intoxicated and we'll discuss it then!".
Darragh O'Keeffe enjoyed a treble on the card, with his 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 good 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 perfectly in the end and the 2nd horse is a decent horse as well. I got worried after his mistake at the second-last but he leapt the last well and galloped out well. He is unbeaten and has actually done nothing incorrect so hopefully he'll keep progressing.
"There aren't lots of alternatives throughout Christmas so he could run in One newbie over two miles. I think great ground is important 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 preferred 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 trainer said: "He has come on a lot and while it is a little difficult to settle him, it isn't a huge task and when I spoke to Sean (O'Keeffe) in advance, he understood precisely what I wanted. You just have to add to heels and then give him the reins, and Sean rode a charming race.
"The horse was purchased for little cash and well done to JD Moore who found him for us. He had actually been put in bumpers for a smaller sized trainer in England, we paid 12 grand for him and the plan was just to win a race with him.
"He'll get a couple of pounds in the handicap now however in some cases with a horse like this, there is nothing wrong with having a high ranking as you can box away racing in smaller fields and get cash."
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 but I wasn't taking any chances. Ricky provided him a beautiful trip, 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 understand Willie's (Mullins, champion trainer) horses have yet to come back, to start with we'll enjoy today and stress over that later on."