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 chance under Darragh O'Keeffe for the three-and-a-half-mile Listed occasion and dominated from the front from the start, maintaining the gallop to dominate by six lengths.


The victory was well by the Cork crowd, with the trainer a little regional clothing based only 40 minutes away from the track.


Allen stated: "That is astounding! 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 wouldn't desire to be pertaining to this race without a run.


"Today was the strategy and the guy on his back - what can I say, he was brave as a lion everywhere. Even when he was five or 6 lengths ahead, he was still firing the horse at fences. The plan was to go a gallop and he was truly 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 is friendly with Darragh (O'Keeffe), trips out for me and I have lots of local support too."


Lonesome Boatman at Cork (Thomas Weekes/PA)


Regarding strategies, the trainer quipped: "Pints will be drunk and we'll speak about it then!".


Darragh O'Keeffe took pleasure in a treble on the card, with his very first winner being Mister Pessimistic in division 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 keep his unbeaten record and was just under three lengths too great for Grey Jude, leaving trainer Henry de Bromhead eyeing an action up to Grade One level.


De Bromhead stated: "He is a charming young horse, did it well in the end and the second horse is a decent horse too. I got worried after his mistake at the second-last however he jumped the last well and galloped out well. He is unbeaten and has actually done nothing wrong so ideally he'll keep progressing.


"There aren't many choices throughout Christmas so he might run in Leopardstown's Grade One newbie over two miles. I think great ground is necessary to him."


De Bromhead and O'Keeffe also teamed up 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 "How Many Days 'Til Christmas?" Irish EBF Novice Hurdle at 3-1 under Sean O'Keeffe.


The trainer stated: "He has begun a lot and while it is a little tricky to settle him, it isn't an enormous job and when I talked to Sean (O'Keeffe) beforehand, he understood precisely what I wanted. You simply have to add to heels and then provide him the reins, and Sean rode a lovely race.


"The horse was purchased for small cash and well done to JD Moore who discovered him for us. He had actually been placed in bumpers for a smaller trainer in England, we paid 12 grand for him and the plan was just to win a race with him.


"He'll get a few pounds in the handicap now but in some cases with a horse like this, there is nothing wrong with having a high ranking as you can box away racing in smaller sized fields and select up 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 but I wasn't taking any opportunities. Ricky provided him a lovely trip, the horse has brilliant scope however can be a little brave," stated Griffin.


"This horse will get an entry for the Drinmore now and while I understand Willie's (Mullins, champ fitness instructor) horses have yet to come back, firstly we'll take pleasure in today and fret about that later."