Dr Doocey digs deep

JAMES Spillane (20) from Conna partnered his first winner when landing a vintage renewal of the novice riders open aboard the admirable mare Dr Doocey, trained by his brother Mark for Mrs Rita Doocey from Lismore, at the twice postponed Dungarvan Harriers point at Kilossera yesterday.

Dr Doocey (5/1), a creditable ninth behind Whyso Mayo in a Thurles hunters chase just five days earlier, valiantly tried to make all the running in this 14-runner contest. Whilst headed briefly by Doc O’Donnell at the final fence, the victorious ten-year-old dug deep in the closing stages to fend off the staying-on Jamadiel by two lengths.

James Spillane’s elder brother Dinny got on the scoresheet when teaming up with octogenarian Coolcormack-based owner/trainer Michael Ronayne to collect the confined hunt maiden with Carriglea Wood (6/1).