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 start, maintaining the gallop to dominate by six lengths.
The triumph was well received by the Cork crowd, with the trainer a little regional attire based only 40 minutes away from the track.
Allen said: "That boggles the mind! 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 pertaining to this race without a run.
"Today was the plan and the guy on his back - what can I state, he was brave as a lion everywhere. Even when he was five or six lengths ahead, he was still firing the horse at fences. The plan was to go a gallop and he was really on-song.
"I farm in Araglin, which is 40 minutes away and this is my regional course. I have eight horses and my bro Darragh, who gets along with Darragh (O'Keeffe), rides out for me and I have plenty of regional support too."
Lonesome Boatman at Cork (Thomas Weekes/PA)
Regarding strategies, the trainer quipped: "Pints will be drunk and we'll discuss it then!".
Darragh O'Keeffe took pleasure in a treble on the card, with his very first winner being Mister Pessimistic in department 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 simply under 3 lengths too great 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 perfectly in the end and the 2nd horse is a good horse as well. I got nervous after his error at the second-last however he jumped the last well and galloped out well. He is unbeaten and has actually not done anything wrong so ideally he'll keep progressing.
"There aren't many alternatives throughout Christmas so he might run in Leopardstown's Grade One newbie over two miles. I believe good ground is very important 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 favourite Echoing Silence.
Declan Queally struck Listed gold as Tackletommywoowoo landed the Paddy Power "The number of Days 'Til Christmas?" Irish EBF Novice Hurdle at 3-1 under Sean O'Keeffe.
The fitness instructor stated: "He has actually come on a lot and while it is a little challenging to settle him, it isn't a massive task and when I spoke with Sean (O'Keeffe) beforehand, he knew exactly what I desired. You just need to tack on to heels and then offer him the reins, and Sean rode a beautiful race.
"The horse was purchased for little money and well done to JD Moore who found him for us. He had been placed in bumpers for a smaller fitness instructor in England, we paid 12 grand for him and the plan was just to win a race with him.
"He'll get a couple of pounds in the handicap now but in some cases with a horse like this, there is nothing wrong with having a high score as you can box away racing in smaller fields and get money."
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 doesn't require it however I wasn't taking any . Ricky provided him a lovely trip, the horse has dazzling scope but can be a little brave," stated Griffin.
"This horse will get an entry for the Drinmore now and while I know Willie's (Mullins, champ trainer) horses have yet to reappear, firstly we'll enjoy today and worry about that later on."