FOGARTY’S CLASS
Wexford jockey second in Thyestes
WEXFORD’S MIKEY Fogarty finished a creditable second on board the Willie Mullins-trained Class Conti (33/1) in the prestigious Goffs Thyestes Chase in Gowran Park on Thursday, five and a half lengths behind another Mullins inmate, Total Recall.
It was the eighth time that the champion trainer saddled the winner of the race, with the 16/1 shot romping to a bloodless victory, with his nephew Danny Mullins doing the steering.
Cleariestown rider Fogarty has only recently returned to the saddle after an absence of a couple of years and is clearly in the mood to make up for lost time.
Seán Flanagan also had a decent spin around the Kilkenny track in the €100,000 feature, filling third spot on Minella Fair (14/1) for Noel Meade.
Jamie Codd was the only Wexford winner on the day, steering home the well-backed Gordon Elliott-trained 5/4 favourite Homme D’un Soir to a facile seven and a half length success in the bumper.
Meanwhile, across the water Tom O’Brien rode a winner at Warwick on Wednesday, with the Philip Hobbs-trained Golden Sovereign (11/4) winning a handicap hurdle by one and a quarter lengths.
On Festival Trials Day at Cheltenham on Saturday, Daryl Jacob finished second on board the Nigel Twiston-Davies inmate Bristol De Mai (9/4) in the Paddy Power Cotswolds Chase, three and a half lengths behind Nicky Henderson’s Santini (13/8 fav.).
Jacob was also on board the Nicky Henderson-trained odds-on favourite Monte Cristo, but he only managed a disappointing fourth in the Triumph Hurdle trial behind Galahad Quest.
On the flat, Jimmy Quinn had two recent winners, with Rock Icon (16/1) winning by five lengths at Wolverhampton on Monday of last week, while 7/1 shot Lyricist Voice won over a mile at Newcastle on Thursday evening.
Saturday night proved to be a fruitful one for Taghmon jockey P.J. McDonald as he rode two winners at Kempton.
He partnered 4/1 joint favourite Tebay to a one and a quarter length win for trainer John Best and followed it up with victory on board Enthaar for Stuart Williams.
In sunnier climes, Pat Dobbs was in the winners’ enclosure over at Jebil Ali on Friday, partnering the Doug Watson-trained 9/4 favourite Right Flank to a one-length success at the Dubai track.