Flanagan is on fire
Wexford double follows big Tipp win
SEAN FLANAGAN from Palace East, Clonroche, was in top form when jumps racing resumed after a summer break.
He had an exciting double at Wexford on Friday, winning out in two very close finishes, following up on a major success at Tipperary the previous evening.
Wexford was blessed with lovely weather once again and the course was in immaculate condition despite the prolonged dry spell. There was quite a good, holiday-type crowd, and they seemed to enjoy the occasion.
Flanagan initiated his Wexford double in the featured €15,000 two-mile novice chase sponsored by Brendan Cullimore Electric, Parnell Street, Wexford.
There were only four runners but it produced a thrilling finish. Flanagan was on Le Martalin (1/2) for Noel Meade and set out to make all.
He came under pressure two out and was strongly pressed by Mark Enright on the John Nicholson (Kilkenny)-trained Ask Susan (15/8) after the last, and Flanagan had to be at his strongest to prevail by a nose. J.J. Slevin was a distant third on Icelip (25/1).
Flanagan completed his double in the Michael Moore Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen handicap chase with a lovely ride on Double Windsor (7/1), trained by David O’Brien at Piltown, Kilkenny.
He swept around the field down the hill to take it up entering the straight and two good jumps saw him hold off the eleven-year-old veteran, Shake The Bucket (12/1) for the Maddens, by half a length.
The Wexford rider had a good win at Tipperary the previous evening in one of the big jumps races of the summer season, the €62,500 Kevin McManus bookmakers Grimes Hurdle, when he guided home Joey Sasa (8/1) for Noel Meade, beating the hot favourite, Wicklow Brave (5/4).
The other Michael Moore-sponsored race at Wexford was the bumper and it was very hard to read. Bumper expert, Patrick Mullins, was on the unraced Native Script, a rare National Hunt runner for top flat trainer, Oylegate’s Jim Bolger. The punters piled in to make this the 7/4 favourite.
This was despite the fact that there was a Willie Mullins-trained runner in the race, Little Nugget (7/1), ridden by Richie Deegan from Borris; surely Patrick would have ridden this one if it was fancied, went the reasoning.
Just to show how little we know, Native Script was pulled up when trailing badly and the race was won by Little Nugget with nearly seven lengths to spare!
The fancied runners dominated the early races at Wexford. The opening info@wexfordraces.ie mares’ maiden hurdle went to favourite, Mysloegin (1/1f), ridden by Rachael Blackmore for Borrisokane trainer, J.R. Finn, from Agusta Gold (10/3), ridden by Danny Mullins for Margaret Mullins. Colin Bowe’s Its All A Lark was fifth in this.
Flood Ironworks from Clonroche sponsored two races. In the maiden hurdle, the top three in the market filled the first three places, with victory going to Court Tycoon (9/4) ridden by Roger Loughran for Peter Fahey (Kildare). It was Loughran’s first ride back after he took a heavy fall at Roscommon on June 12.
J.J. Slevin was second on the well-backed favourite, Border Control (7/4), for Joseph O’Brien, beaten less than a length, and third was Jack Kennedy on Gordon Elliott’s Caliption (9/2).
The other Floods race was the beginners’ chase over an extended three miles, and a comfortable winner was Adimelo (14/1), ridden by Derek Fox for Mark McNiff who made the long journey from Strandhill in Sligo pay off.
David Mullins was second on Ah Littleluck (11/4), and Brian Jordan’s (Rathaspeck) Cotton Jenny (9/2) was well back in third under Danny Mullins.
Another long traveller won the Mary Barry’s Seafood Bar (Kilmore) handicap hurdle, with Patrick Cronin bringing his own Naturally Blond (9/1) from Doneraile in Cork, ridden to victory by his nephew, Willie. The horse may turn out again at Roscommon today (Tuesday).
It was an enjoyable night’s racing despite the limited local training success, with Flanagan’s double the Wexford highlight. The next meeting at Bettyville is on Friday evening, July 27.