Parnell triumphant after shocks galore in Desmond Cup

GALLANT PARNELL, purchased by current owners the C.C &M Syndicate from Listowel from John Flynn of Tarbert after he had been beaten two and a half lengths by Jerrys Beam in the final of the Derby Trial Stake at Charleville last season, started his campaign on a bright note when taking the Desmond Cup at Glin yesterday.

The bulk of the excitement was reserved for Saturday when all the dogs quoted in single figures, with the exception of 8/1 chance Bilboa Baggins, were all beaten in the opening round. The drama didn't stop there however as Bilboa Baggins got a grueller in his course and had to be withdrawn from the second round.

Yesterday morning Gallant Parnell, a 20/1 chance before coursing on Saturday was down to 4-1 and after beating Dromore Concorde in his quarter-final by five lengths he then put out the overnight favourite, Murtys Destiny by a length, the runner-up having had a tough course in the second round on Saturday.