Ownahincha - March 17th 2008
- A good day out, in what has to be one of the most spectacular locations in the world.There was more cheering than has been heard all year, with
speculation mounting ahead of the All Ireland. Three jockeys rode a brace apiece. It was a pity that Novice and Grade E were undersubscribed. Grade B
should be a good contest next time.
- Grade A (Paddy Connolly Memorial Cup) - 1. Shanley Racing's Magical Mancini (T. O'Leary), 1/1; 2. J. Mycock's Fidlin (Noreen McSweeney), 4/5 fav;
3. T. Murphy's Coalford Victory (Owner), 4/1. 4 ran, 10l, 12l. Coalford James, 6/1, 4th
- Mancini led from the start. Fidlin quickly scrubbed his handicap and tucked in behind. At the business end, Fidlin challenged but the winner simply
quickened. Coalford James never got into it while Victory needed the race.
- Grade B (John Harrington Memorial Cup) - 1. Cahirtown Racing's Dilly's Dragon (J.McSweeney), 2/1; 2. D. Ross's Cult Direct (Noreen McSweeney),
4/5 fav.; 3. G. Cooke's Forest Tombo (A.Sweeney), 4/1. 9 ran, 7l, 2l. Meadowbranch Jake, 4/1, 4th
- Meadowbranch Jake soon took it up from early leader and lead until the last turn. Dragon had crept closer and took over just after that. Jake set off in
pursuit but had to yield to Cult Direct and Tombo got going late. The winner is an interesting prospect for the All-Ireland.
- Grade C (Fachtna McCarthy Perpetual Cup) - 1. T. Doyle's Kelly's Hero (T. O'Leary), 2/1; 2. Connonagh Racing Club's Mack's Direct (M. Duggan), 4/5
fav; 3. Dunmanway Racing Club's I'mdoubletrouble (J. O'Donovan), 6/1. 6 ran, 4l, 8l. Talavary Jet, 4/1, 4th
- Hero made all the running, but was a little unsettled at times. Mack set off in second and never improved on that. Jet got a bad start and did well to finish
4th.
- Grade D (Michael Pat Hurley Perpetual Cup) - 1. Caroline McGrath's Posh Paddy (Noreen McSweeney), 4/1; 2.Kelleher/Power/Hannon's Blatantly Pride
(Deirdre Goggin), 4/5 fav; 3. P. Hill's Hillside Security (P. Hill), 4/1. 9 ran, 5l, 1L. Commander Matt, 4/1, 4th
- Paddy deserved this win. Commander Matt was in charge until going into the last turn. Paddy took it up with Blatantly Pride giving chase. On the run-in,
Paddy lost gait but regained it quickly. Security left her challenge very late.
- Grade E (Willie Forde Perpetual Cup) - 1. D. Shanahan's Tony's Dream (Noreen McSweeney); 2. M.O'Donovan's Superman (Deirdre Goggin). 2 ran, 8l.
No offers
- The outcome of this was a foregone conclusion.
- Novice (Jim Gorman Memorial Cup) - 1. Margie McSweeney's Pure Mule (J. McSweeney), 1/2 fav; 2. B. Sheehan's Cam's Leap (T. O'Leary), 4/1; 3.
Rayger Syndicate's Cam Rayger (Noreen McSweeney), 5/4. 3 ran, 1/2l, 10l.
- Cam Leap led until the closing stages and was collared close home by the winner. Rayger went off stride badly a couple of times.