Lonesome Boatman Cruises To Cork Success
Sean Allen's Lonesome Boatman was a popular regional winner of the Paddy Power Cork Grand National.
The nine-year-old was an 8-1 possibility under Darragh O'Keeffe for the three-and-a-half-mile Listed event and dominated from the front from the outset, keeping up the gallop to dominate by six lengths.
The success was well gotten by the Cork crowd, with the fitness instructor a small regional clothing based just 40 minutes away from the track.
Allen stated: "That is amazing! Darragh rode the horse in Punchestown (last May) and put this race to us. We knocked the cobwebs off him at Listowel in September as you would not wish to be concerning this race without a run.
"Today was the plan and the male on his back - what can I state, he was brave as a lion everywhere. Even when he was 5 or six lengths ahead, he was still firing the horse at fences. The plan was to go a gallop and he was actually on-song.
"I farm in Araglin, which is 40 minutes away and this is my regional course. I have eight horses and my sibling Darragh, who gets along with Darragh (O'Keeffe), rides out for me and I have a lot of local assistance too."
Lonesome Boatman at Cork (Thomas Weekes/PA)
Regarding plans, the fitness instructor quipped: "Pints will be drunk and we'll speak about it then!".
Darragh O'Keeffe took pleasure in a treble on the card, with his very first winner being Mister Pessimistic in division among the Paddy Power From The Horse's Mouth Podcast Maiden Hurdle.
A point-to-point and bumper winner, the four-year-old was a 4-11 preferred to preserve his unbeaten record and was just under 3 lengths too helpful for Grey Jude, leaving trainer Henry de Bromhead eyeing a step up to Grade One level.
De Bromhead said: "He is a lovely young horse, did it well in the end and the 2nd horse is a good horse also. I got anxious after his error at the second-last but he leapt the last well and galloped out well. He is unbeaten and has actually done nothing incorrect so hopefully he'll keep progressing.
"There aren't numerous choices during Christmas so he might run in Leopardstown's Grade One newbie over 2 miles. I think great ground is essential to him."
De Bromhead and O'Keeffe likewise collaborated to land the Paddy Power 'Did You Watch The Breeders Cup At All' Mares Maiden Hurdle with 6-5 preferred Echoing Silence.
Declan Queally struck Listed gold as Tackletommywoowoo landed the Paddy Power "How Many Days 'Til Christmas?" Irish EBF Novice Hurdle at 3-1 under Sean O'Keeffe.
The trainer said: "He has actually begun a lot and while it is a little difficult to settle him, it isn't an enormous task and when I spoke with Sean (O'Keeffe) in advance, he knew exactly what I wanted. You just have to add to heels and then offer him the reins, and Sean rode a charming race.
"The horse was purchased for small money and well done to JD Moore who found him for us. He had actually been placed in bumpers for a smaller trainer in England, we paid 12 grand for him and the strategy was just to win a race with him.
"He'll get a couple of pounds in the handicap now however sometimes with a horse like this, there is absolutely nothing wrong with having a high score as you can box away racing in smaller sized fields and select up cash."
Eoin Griffin's Ol Man Dingle was the winner of the the Grade Three Paddy Power Betting Shops Irish EBF Novice Chase, scoring at 11-4 under rider Ricky Doyle.
"I put the tongue-tie back on Ol Man Dingle today - he does not need it however I wasn't taking any opportunities. Ricky provided him a beautiful trip, the horse has dazzling scope however can be a little brave," said Griffin.
"This horse will get an entry for the Drinmore now and while I (Mullins, champ trainer) horses have yet to come back, first of all we'll enjoy today and fret about that later."