Coolnahilla benefits from Compo’s final fence departure

TOP amateur jockey Derek O'Connor starred on the second day of the Limerick festival yesterday with a double that included Coolnahilla's victory in the featured Tim Duggan Memorial Handicap Chase.

Liam Burke's consistent nine-year-old went off a 7/1 chance for the Listed contest but was under pressure in second place coming to the final fence where Compo departed when holding a useful advantage. This left the grey with a clear lead, which he maintained to defeat Colonel Monroe by seven lengths.

“If ever a horse deserved a bit of luck it was him. Two and a half miles around here is a bit sharp for him and we probably ran him back too quickly at Cork last time. There's a good race to be won with him and he could go for either the Leopardstown or Thyestes Chase next,” commented the winning trainer.