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 possibility 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 dominate by 6 lengths.


The victory was well received by the Cork crowd, with the trainer a little regional clothing based just 40 minutes far 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 would not want to be coming to this race without a run.


"Today was the plan and the man on his back - what can I state, he was brave as a lion all over. Even when he was five or six lengths ahead, he was still firing 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 eight horses and my bro Darragh, who gets along with Darragh (O'Keeffe), rides out for me and I have lots of regional assistance too."


Lonesome Boatman at Cork (Thomas Weekes/PA)


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


Darragh O'Keeffe took pleasure in a treble on the card, with his first winner being Mister Pessimistic in division one of 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 preserve his unbeaten record and was simply under three lengths too helpful for Grey Jude, leaving fitness instructor Henry de Bromhead eyeing a step up to Grade One level.


De Bromhead said: "He is a charming young horse, did it perfectly in the end and the second horse is a decent horse also. I got worried after his mistake at the second-last but he jumped the last well and galloped out well. He is unbeaten and has actually not done anything wrong so ideally he'll keep progressing.


"There aren't numerous options during Christmas so he might run in Leopardstown's Grade One novice over 2 miles. I think great ground is necessary to him."


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


The trainer said: "He has actually begun a lot and while it is a little tricky to settle him, it isn't a massive task and when I talked to Sean (O'Keeffe) ahead of time, he knew precisely what I desired. You simply have to tack on to heels and after that offer him the reins, and Sean rode a lovely race.


"The horse was purchased for little money and well done to JD Moore who discovered him for us. He had actually been put in bumpers for a smaller fitness instructor 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 sometimes 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 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 however I wasn't taking any chances. Ricky gave him a charming trip, 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 understand Willie's (Mullins, instructor) horses have yet to reappear, firstly we'll take pleasure in today and fret about that later on."