Darcy back from doldrums with a 39/1 double
The Topanoora gelding made all under Michael Darcy, who now rides out two days a week for the Limerick handler, and shrugged off the weak challenge of Banna Man with ease.
Hourigan was represented by his daughter Kay, who said: “He’s a horse who has had leg trouble and will now go for a handicap.”
Darcy, who has been having a lean time of it of late, quickly completed a 39-1 double when taking the Clonmel Hurdle on Charlie Swan’s Over The First.
The 11-year-old is a tough old warrior who answered all the questions put to him by his pilot.
Darcy sent Over The First on down hill to the straight, but the duo were quickly pursued by market-leader, Joueur D’Estruval.
The grey stuck well enough to his task, but could never quite get on terms and was a neck adrift at the line. It was the third double of Darcy’s career.
Trainer Gerry Keane stayed at home and will have enjoyed watching his Saipan cruise to success in the Kilsheelan Handicap Hurdle.
Partnered with real patience by Robbie Colgan, Saipan cantered ahead going to the last and scored by five lengths, without being asked any sort of question.
“That’s my 12th of the season and things are starting to pick up”, reported the capable Colgan.
Broom Maker, taken as high as 14-1 in the morning and far from neglected on track as well, won the three mile Demense Maiden Hurdle. Trained by Myles Coughlan at Cappawhhite, Co Tipperary, the winner forged to the front for Kevin Coleman at the second last to easily beat Ballyfinney.
“We backed him at Limerick (two runs back) and can’t work out what went wrong”, said Coughlan. “But we backed him again today.”
Noel Meade’s Seisiun Eile, who had been cutting little ice in better class races, found his level in the Lisronagh Novice Handciap Chase. Niall Madden’s mount was well-backed to do the business as well, finding 2-1 favouritism from 7-2. For most of the journey you wouldn’t have wanted to be on, but he finally hit top gear between the last two fences to beat Mountgarry.
Martin Ferris, this was his seventh of the campaign, gave Wolf Creek a strong ride to land the Slievenamon Beginners Chase.
Ferris went for glory shortly after four out and Wolf Creek was much faster away from the final fence than runner-up Twiststickorbuy, which made all the difference in the end.
Commented Ferris: “I have been riding out three days a week for Edward O’Grady for the last six months and that’s my first winner for him.”
Brian O’Connell rode his fourth winner when powering Philip Fenton’s Woodbine Willie to victory in the Bumper.
Woodbine Willie found plenty for pressure in the closing stages to beat Paul Nolan’s newcomer Fiery Lord, a half-brother to Cheltenham Gold Cup hero, Kicking King.
