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 dominated from the front from the beginning, keeping up the gallop to dominate by 6 lengths.
The triumph was well received by the Cork crowd, with the fitness instructor a little regional just 40 minutes away from the track.
Allen stated: "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 would not wish to be coming to this race without a run.
"Today was the plan and the male on his back - what can I say, he was brave as a lion all over. Even when he was five or 6 lengths ahead, he was still firing the horse at fences. The plan was to go a gallop and he was truly on-song.
"I farm in Araglin, which is 40 minutes away and this is my local course. I have eight horses and my brother Darragh, who is friendly with Darragh (O'Keeffe), rides out for me and I have a lot of local support too."
Lonesome Boatman at Cork (Thomas Weekes/PA)
Regarding plans, the trainer quipped: "Pints will be intoxicated and we'll discuss it then!".
Darragh O'Keeffe enjoyed a treble on the card, with his very first winner being Mister Pessimistic in department among 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 keep his unbeaten record and was just under three lengths too great for Grey Jude, leaving trainer Henry de Bromhead eyeing an action up to Grade One level.
De Bromhead stated: "He is a beautiful young horse, did it nicely in the end and the second horse is a decent horse also. I got anxious after his mistake at the second-last however he jumped the last well and galloped out well. He is unbeaten and has actually done absolutely nothing incorrect so ideally he'll keep progressing.
"There aren't numerous alternatives throughout Christmas so he might run in Leopardstown's Grade One newbie over 2 miles. I think nice ground is essential to him."
De Bromhead and O'Keeffe also teamed up 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 fitness instructor said: "He has come on a lot and while it is a little difficult to settle him, it isn't an enormous job and when I spoke with Sean (O'Keeffe) ahead of time, he knew exactly what I desired. You simply have to tack on to heels and then provide him the reins, and Sean rode a beautiful race.
"The horse was bought for little cash and well done to JD Moore who discovered him for us. He had been positioned in bumpers for a smaller fitness instructor in England, we paid 12 grand for him and the strategy was simply to win a race with him.
"He'll get a few pounds in the handicap now however 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 sized 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 does not require it however I wasn't taking any opportunities. Ricky offered him a lovely trip, the horse has brilliant 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, champ trainer) horses have yet to come back, firstly we'll enjoy today and stress about that later."