Flanagan keeps Wexford flag flying in sunny Bettyville
THE SUNNY south-east really lived up to its name as the Wexford races at Bettyville on Wednesday evening were run off in lovely conditions and attracted quite a good crowd. Local success was limited with most of the prize-money going for ‘export’ to places as far flung as Clare, Cork, Tipperary and Sligo.
Jockey Seán Flanagan (Palace East) was the only Wexford winner, though a few local horses did run well to fill some of the minor placings.
Flanagan’s victory came in the €15,000 Irish Stallion Farms EBF handicap chase aboard Mullinavat, trained in Waterford by Henry De Bromhead. He pulled clear after the last to win by nearly four lengths, having been backed in from 10/1 in the morning to an SP of 5/1.
Second was Game Puppeteer (9/2jf) for the Powers from Waterford, with Arthamint (20/1) third for Brian Hayes and trainer Eoin McCarthy.
There was a very good run by Go It Alone (7/1) for a strong Wexford point-to-point combination, trained by Colin Bowe and ridden by Barry O’Neill. They came second in the Vinegar Hill beginners’ chase, behind Baily Moon (7/2), ridden by Paul Townend for Mouse Morris. Seán Flanagan came to grief five out on Noel Meade’s Mahler (2/1) when going well, but escaped injury.
Soul Season was a winner for trainer Tom James and rider James O’Sullivan (both from Enniscorthy) at the last meeting, giving young O’Sullivan his first win as a professional. They came close again last week, finishing strongly to take second in the Loch Garman handicap hurdle, pipping Masterchippy (2/1), trained in Davidstown by Noel Dooly.
They both had to give best to Mr. Moondance (7/1), ridden by Paddy Kennedy, and trained by Mark McNiff who did not personally make the eight-hour return trip from Sligo.
Jamie Codd had to be content with third in the concluding bumper on Denis Hogan’s Bensachuine (10/3), being a bit one-paced in the finish. The winner was Noel Meade’s hot favourite, Major Destination (9/10), under Danny Benson, and second was Cottonvale for R.J. Kiely.
The opening Welcome to Wexford Maiden Hurdle was won by Clare trainer, Declan McNamara, with Artical Eleven (3/1) under amateur Johnny Barry, and owner Pat Callaghan said they were heading back to his ‘local’ to celebrate, the famous Durty Nellies at Bunratty, after a six-hour round trip.
Andrew Lynch was second on Bold Sky for Henry De Bromhead, but he was only warming up as he scored a winning double in the next two races. He won the Rosslare Mares’ handicap hurdle on Kiln Rock (16/1), the only horse in training with Joe Hennessy, from Lockeen Girl (12/1) for Tom and Danny Mullins.
Lynch completed the double in the next, the €16,000 Slaney Handicap Hurdle, on favourite, Mr. Picotee (15/8), trained by Vinnie Halley at Kill, Co. Waterford, from Magnetic Force (9/1), ridden by J.B. Kane from Meath for Robert Hennessy. Third here was Alterno (6/1), owned by Wexford town natïve, Jackie Bolger, wife of star flat trainer, Jim.
Both Rachael Blackmore and Denis O’Regan suffered nasty looking falls at the final hurdle when still in contention, but happily both of them and their mounts walked away seemingly undamaged.
While the quality may have been low key enough, it was an enjoyable night’s racing. Two happy punters shared the €5,000 jackpot. They race again at Bettyville on Wednesday evening, June 7.