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 controlled from the front from the outset, maintaining the gallop to prevail by 6 lengths.


The victory was well gotten by the Cork crowd, with the trainer a small regional clothing based just 40 minutes far 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 wish to be coming to this race without a run.


"Today was the strategy and the man on his back - what can I say, he was brave as a lion everywhere. 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 really on-song.


"I farm in Araglin, which is 40 minutes away and this is my regional course. I have 8 horses and my brother Darragh, who gets along 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 intoxicated and we'll talk about it then!".


Darragh O'Keeffe delighted 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 preferred to maintain his unbeaten record and was just under three lengths too helpful for Grey Jude, leaving fitness instructor Henry de Bromhead eyeing an action up to Grade One level.


De Bromhead said: "He is a lovely young horse, did it nicely in the end and the 2nd horse is a good horse too. I got worried after his error at the second-last but he jumped the last well and galloped out well. He is unbeaten and has actually done absolutely nothing incorrect so hopefully he'll keep advancing.


"There aren't numerous choices throughout Christmas so he might run in Leopardstown's Grade One amateur over 2 miles. I believe good ground is important 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 "The number of Days 'Til Christmas?" Irish EBF Novice Hurdle at 3-1 under Sean O'Keeffe.


The fitness instructor said: "He has come on a lot and while it is a little tricky to settle him, it isn't a massive job and when I spoke to Sean (O'Keeffe) in advance, he understood exactly what I desired. You just need to add to heels and then give him the reins, and Sean rode a lovely race.


"The horse was bought for little money and well done to JD Moore who found him for us. He had been positioned 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 rating as you can box away racing in smaller fields and choose 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 opportunities. Ricky gave him a charming trip, the horse has dazzling 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, instructor) horses have yet to come back, to start with we'll enjoy today and stress about that later on."