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 outset, maintaining the gallop to prevail by six lengths.


The victory was well gotten by the Cork crowd, with the fitness instructor a small regional attire based just 40 minutes away from the track.


Allen said: "That boggles the mind! 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 would not want to be concerning this race without a run.


"Today was the plan and the guy on his back - what can I state, he was brave as a lion everywhere. Even when he was 5 or six lengths ahead, he was still shooting the horse at fences. The strategy 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 8 horses and my bro Darragh, who is friendly with Darragh (O'Keeffe), trips out for me and I have lots of local assistance too."


Lonesome Boatman at Cork (Thomas Weekes/PA)


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


Darragh O'Keeffe enjoyed a treble on the card, with his very first winner being Mister Pessimistic in division one of the Paddy Power From The Horse's Maiden Hurdle.


A point-to-point and bumper winner, the four-year-old was a 4-11 favourite to keep his unbeaten record and was simply under three lengths too great for Grey Jude, leaving fitness instructor Henry de Bromhead considering an action up to Grade One level.


De Bromhead stated: "He is a lovely young horse, did it perfectly in the end and the 2nd horse is a good horse too. I got anxious after his mistake at the second-last however he leapt the last well and galloped out well. He is unbeaten and has actually done nothing wrong so hopefully he'll keep advancing.


"There aren't many alternatives during Christmas so he might run in Leopardstown's Grade One novice over two miles. I think great ground is essential to him."


De Bromhead and O'Keeffe likewise teamed up to land the Paddy Power 'Did You Watch The Breeders Cup At All' Mares Maiden Hurdle with 6-5 preferred Echoing Silence.


Declan Queally struck Listed gold as Tackletommywoowoo landed the Paddy Power "The number of Days 'Til Christmas?" Irish EBF Novice Hurdle at 3-1 under Sean O'Keeffe.


The trainer stated: "He has actually come on a lot and while it is a little tricky to settle him, it isn't an enormous task and when I talked to Sean (O'Keeffe) ahead of time, he knew exactly what I wanted. You simply have to add to heels and then provide him the reins, and Sean rode a beautiful race.


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


"He'll get a couple of pounds in the handicap now however often with a horse like this, there is nothing wrong with having a high rating as you can box away racing in smaller sized fields and choose up cash."


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 however I wasn't taking any possibilities. Ricky gave him a beautiful ride, the horse has fantastic scope however can be a little brave," stated Griffin.


"This horse will get an entry for the Drinmore now and while I know Willie's (Mullins, champion fitness instructor) horses have yet to reappear, first of all we'll delight in today and fret about that later on."