Stream gives Fenton a welcome boost
A winner at the Galway Festival on his penultimate start, the Gigginstpwn-owned six-year-old had enough in the tank to recover from the mistake and beat well-backed favourite and Kerry National-bound Golden Wonder by six lengths.
“He’s been busy, but keeps improving and is a novice until the end of the month,” commented Philip Fenton, “We’ll find something for him in Listowel and he’ll go chasing next year.”
The winning rider added: “He usually misses one or two and the second last was the first time he was in front, but he had plenty in the tank. The penny is only dropping with him and he keeps improving.
“We thought he was a speed horse early in the year, but this proves he’s really a stayer.”
O’Connell had initiated his double when the versatile, Gareth Power-trained mare Lilly The Lioness proved a convincing winner of the Pavexpress Handicap Hurdle. The seven-year-old has now won over hurdles, fences and on the flat this summer.
Denis O’Regan successfully renewed his association with Noel Meade to guide chasing debutant and 9/10 favourite Silver Tassie to a comfortable, twenty-four lengths win in the Midland Breeders Beginners Chase.
“We liked him last year and he’s getting stronger,” acknowledged Meade. “He wants two and a half miles plus and his jumping was very good out there. We might have a crack at a good hurdle with him, over a trip, at some stage too.”
And, confirming that he hopes to use Denis O’Regan’s services in the continuing absence of Paul Carberry and Davy Condon, he added: “Denis is a very good rider and rides a bit like Paul — he’s a confident rider, with great hands,” while O’Regan commented: “This has been a very lucky track for me over the years and I got lucky tonight, getting on such a nice horse for Noel.”
The Dessie Hughes-trained veteran Swiftmarc, always at his best when fresh, captured the featured Martinstown Opportunity Handicap Hurdle narrowly under Ian McCarthy, getting the better of War Of The Pennys and favourite Swantykay.
“He had a wind operation since his last run and runs well fresh,” explained Hughes. “He’s versatile and will probably go back chasing for his nest run.”
