Lonesome Boatman Cruises To Cork Success

Sean Allen's Lonesome Boatman was a popular local winner of the Paddy Power Cork Grand National.


The was an 8-1 opportunity under Darragh O'Keeffe for the three-and-a-half-mile Listed event and dominated from the front from the outset, keeping up the gallop to prevail by six lengths.


The triumph was well received by the Cork crowd, with the fitness instructor a little local clothing based just 40 minutes far from the track.


Allen stated: "That is incredible! 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 wish to be coming to this race without a run.


"Today was the strategy and the man on his back - what can I state, he was brave as a lion everywhere. Even when he was 5 or 6 lengths ahead, he was still firing the horse at fences. The strategy was to go a gallop and he was actually on-song.


"I farm in Araglin, which is 40 minutes away and this is my local course. I have 8 horses and my bro Darragh, who is friendly with Darragh (O'Keeffe), rides 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 intoxicated and we'll discuss it then!".


Darragh O'Keeffe enjoyed 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 favourite to keep his unbeaten record and was just under 3 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 lovely young horse, did it perfectly in the end and the 2nd horse is a good horse also. I got nervous after his mistake at the second-last however he leapt the last well and galloped out well. He is unbeaten and has actually not done anything incorrect so ideally he'll keep progressing.


"There aren't many choices during Christmas so he might run in Leopardstown's Grade One newbie over 2 miles. I believe great ground is essential 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 fitness instructor stated: "He has actually come on a lot and while it is a little difficult to settle him, it isn't a huge job and when I spoke with Sean (O'Keeffe) ahead of time, he knew exactly what I wanted. You simply have to add to heels and then give him the reins, and Sean rode a beautiful race.


"The horse was bought for small cash and well done to JD Moore who found him for us. He had been put in bumpers for a smaller sized fitness instructor in England, we paid 12 grand for him and the strategy was just to win a race with him.


"He'll get a few pounds in the handicap now however often with a horse like this, there is absolutely nothing wrong with having a high score as you can box away racing in smaller fields and get 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 does not require it but I wasn't taking any chances. Ricky gave him a lovely trip, the horse has fantastic scope but 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 trainer) horses have yet to come back, to start with we'll take pleasure in today and worry about that later."