Carraignagour upsets the odds at Fermoy

THERE was a major upset in the final of the all-aged Ballyarthur Stakes at Fermoy and Grange yesterday when the Bill Toomey trained Carraignagour took the prize.

The winner was a big outsider in the final when he came up against Lakyle Henry, who had won his trial stake at Cappoquin last season and was beaten in the opening round of the Boylesports Derby by Chairde Boinne.

Bookmakers were asking for 1-4 about Lakyle Henry in the decider but it was Carraignagour, who had put out the long odds favourite Ardea Prince by a length in the quarter-final, who led all the way to take the turn by three lengths.

The Derby Trial Stake went to Glencoo Dubh, the 6-4 joint favourite yesterday morning with Howya Paddy.

He was impressive in all his course and in the final came up against the Barry Lynch trained Khukov.

The pair were level early on but as they met the rising ground Glencoo Dubh pulled away to have four lengths to spare at the turn.

Crafty Sabugo meanwhile booked her passage to Clonmel when beating Aghadown Laura in the Oaks Trial Stake. The 5-2 second favourite yesterday morning, Crafty Sabugo put out the favourite New Inn Model by four lengths in a straight run in the quarter-final.

In the final she was led for most of the way by Aghadown Laura but came storming through in the closing stages to take the only points by two lengths.

The McCarthy Insurances Inter-Club Stake was won in good style by Cure Him Early, which represented the Knockgraffon Open Club. In the final he was pitted against Ardan Viv, representing the Bandon Club. The latter led early on but Cure Him Early came through to take the opening score by a length and then got in for another before the finish.

Judge: B. Gould; Slipper: J. Doyle

Ballyarthur Stakes (16 All-Aged)

Quarter-Finals: Feel And Fancy 2l bt Daddy Fox; Lakyle Henry 4l bt Crean; Carraignagour 1l bt Ardea Prince; Countess Affair 1.1/2l bt Hack Up Setanta

Semi-Final: Lakyle Henry long lead. bt Feel And Fancy; Carraignagour 1/2l bt Countess Affair

Final: T. Hannon’s (Lismore) bk.d. Carraignagour (Cillowen Harbour-Chetwynd Lucky) 3l bt J. Doheny’s (Callan) bd.d. Lakyle Henry (Hilltown-Meala) Wish).

Derby Trial Stake (32)

Quarter-Finals: Move On Wafer 1l bt Howya Paddy; Zhukov 3l bt Bin The Ban; Ross River 1/2l bt Whytanyard Dick; Glencoo Dubh 2l bt Rushview Oscar.

Semi-Finals: Zhukov 1l bt Move On Wafer; Glencoo Dubh 4l bt Ross River.

Final: M & N. O’Flaherty’s (Blackrock) bk. Glencoo Dubh (Judicial Affair-Cois Beauty) 4l bt Messrs B. Lynch & T. Scully’s (Ballygarvan) dk.bd. Zhukov (Tullamore-Elm Sunset)

Oaks Trial Stake (32)

Quarter-Finals: Crafty Sabugo 4l bt New Inn Model; Mo Sceal Fein 3/4l bt Corn Flower; Aghadown Laura 2l bt Acres Lady; Ballybeg Samantha 1/2l bt Vacume Flyaway.

Semi-Finals: Crafty Sabugo 1l bt Mo Sceal Fein; Aghadown Laura bt Ballybeg Samantha (after an undecided course on the toss of a coin)

Final: Master P. Divilly’s (Claregalway) f. Crafty Sabugo (Crafty Pedro - Crafty Flamenco) 2l bt Messrs N & M. Collins’ (Skibbereen) bd. Aghadown Laura (Micks Magic-Aghadown Glitter).

McCarthy Insurances Inter-Club Stake (32 Two-Course)

Semi-Finals: Cure Him Early a bye. Aghadown Candy (withdrawn); Ardan Viv.2l bt Glencoo Annie.

Final: A. Moloney’s (Knockgraffon Open) w.bd.d. Cure Him Early (Multibet-Early Cure) 1l bt K. Johnson’s (Bandon) bk.b. Ardan Viv (Velvet Commander - Katostrofic)

John O’Callaghan Memorial Stake (16 one course)

Final: Short Skirt Syndicate’s (Castlelyons) bk.d. Boherash Rumble (Droopys Scholes-Boherash Charity) 2l bt The Good Guys Syndicate’s (Cork) Marketing Option (Moyne Rebel-Ballinattin Miss).