Eric McNamara lands 230/1 Roscommon double as Hermino Aa wins Connacht National
Hermino Aa & Tom Kelly win the Tote Connacht National at Roscommon. Pic: HEALY RACING
The Eric McNamara-trained Hermino Aa, ridden by 7lb claimer Tom Kelly, registered his first success over fences when running out a convincing winner of the Tote.ie Connacht National in Roscommon.
A Sinndar gelding, formerly trained by Gary Moore in England, he was making it ninth-time-lucky as a chaser, in first-time blinkers, staying on stoutly up the straight to beat Kings Hill by more than four lengths, with Goody Four Shoes third.
“We bought him in Doncaster last year and he was probably a bit stale when we got him,” explained Conor McNamara, the trainer’s son and assistant.
“He came down a bit in the handicap after his runs in winter ground. He’s a horse that keeps a bit for himself. Blinkers have made a big difference to him – they were the winning factor. And today was the day. He had a light weight and Tom, claiming 7lb gave him a great ride. His owners will probably want to go to Galway, although I’m not sure the stiff finish would suit him. Dad and the owners will make a plan for him.”
Hermino Aa was the first leg of a spectacular 230/1 double for the McNamara team, completed when Joey Dunne pounced late on Kilkee Bay (20/1) to master 7/4 favourite Ballingurteen in the Roscommon (Amateur) Handicap Chase.
Shock of the evening came in the McGowan Accountancy Services Novice Chase as the Ciaran Murphy-trained four-year-old Wild Bill Hickok turned over 1/3 shot Workahead and, in doing so, reversed recent Wexford form to the tune of 25 lengths.
The favourite attempted to make all. But Eoghan Finegan loomed up on the home-turn on Murphy’s charge and, in front soon after the second last, scored readily by almost five lengths.
“He was bought to be a four-year-old chaser, so we’re over the moon with him,” stated Murphy. “The juice in the ground definitely helped today and the plan is to head for the Grade 3 ‘novice’ in Galway,” while the winning rider added.
“His jumping was a lot slicker today. He really got it together and is getting more confident at the job.”
Murphy completed a 60/1 double, his first, when 7lb claimer Kevin Healy partnered Soldante to a breakthrough chase victory in the Sweeneys Oil Handicap Chase, beating Party President by five lengths.
Gordon Elliott continued in top form with another double, thanks to Cinating and Chanceawetmorning, bringing his tally to six winners in four days.
A casualty on her hurdling bow in Ballinrobe, Cinating made virtually all to beat Take The Free in the opening maiden hurdle, prompting his rider Kevin Sexton to comment, “That’s five wins in four days for me, which is brilliant. This filly is learning to relax and do things right.”
James Smith delivered the second leg of the Cullentra double when Chaneawetmorning made it three wins from his last four starts in the three-runner McNulty Furniture Rated Novice Hurdle, mastering Polepatrick turning for home before drawing clear to triumph by 23 lengths.
“It was simple – I just had to sit on him and steer him around,” explained Smith, “He did everything on the bridle. I knew that he stayed, so I gave him a squeeze turning out of the back and let him stride on.”
Impressive on his debut in Killarney, Linford (11/10 favourite) followed up for Willie and Patrick Mullins in the four-year-old bumper, driven out to see off promising newcomer Caislean Gear.
“He’s a bit lazy, but stays going,” said the winning rider. “We went a real strong gallop and I think you can upgrade the performance. We’ll see whether he’ll go to Galway for the winners bumper or go jumping.”
And Alan O’Sullivan registered his third success in the professional ranks when partnering Ray Hackett’s Galway-bound Sequoiaspirit to a gutsy win over Stede Bonnet in the Dermot Hughes Car Sales Handicap Hurdle.
