DARRAGH O’Keeffe took the riding honours with a quickfire 64/1 double in the opening two races on the card aboard Ballyearl and Eastern Wind.
Ballyearl was the lesser fancied of two Henry de Bromhead runners in the opening Tipperary Town Maiden Hurdle, but certainly didn’t go unbacked with 14/1 morning quotes shrinking to just 11/2 by the off, and the Dr Peter FitzGerald-owned gelding got the better of Portetta on the run-in to score by two and a half lengths.
“He was a bit keen on his first two runs, but after a break and with a hood applied today, he switched off and jumped well,” said O’Keeffe.
“He showed a good attitude up the straight, and I’d say nice ground (officially good to yielding) is key to him.”
O’Keeffe followed up in the Tipperaryraces.ie Mares Maiden Hurdle, where Eastern Wind, brought down on her only previous hurdle start, added to five previous wins on the flat.
Left in front
The easy-to-back 9/1 chance was left in front after leader Whispering Hopes fell two out and three other rivals departed, and she was driven out in the closing stages to hold off Lady Bee Great by half a length.
Donagh Meyler picked up a two-day whip ban on the runner-up.
“She was getting the hang of it as she went on and jumped slick over the last couple. Darragh said the quicker they went, the better she jumped.
“She probably idled a bit in front going up to the line,” said Tom McCourt, who trains the six-year-old for George Ryan and the Give Us Hope Syndicate.
“She goes on any kind of ground, and will mix it with flat and hurdles over the summer. It was great to win over a mile and a half the last day, which opens up more options for her.”
Buzz goes all the way
The Complete Package Syndicate were out in force to greet Shadow Paddy after the 11/1 chance landed division one, leading after two out and keeping on well under Gary Noonan to beat Olord by two and three-quarter lengths. “He was a big weak horse and just got light after a few runs. The lads that own him know the game and were good to give him time and a bit of patience,” explained trainer Eoin McCarthy after the gelding overcame a five-month absence to score on his handicap debut.
Lovely Lee
The Terence O’Brien Racing Syndicate were in typically good voice with a rendition of The Banks Of My Own Lovely Lee after Midnight Fairy (4/1) rallied strongly on the run-in for John Shinnick to just deny Joe’s Turn by a neck in the Tipperary Races On Twitter Handicap Hurdle.
“She’s a mare we lease from Edmond Kent. We have a couple of syndicates on the go and these lads have been involved for the last couple of years. We have great fun, and you can see they really enjoy it,” said trainer Terence O’Brien, saddling his third winner in the space of five days.
“We’ll tip away with her for the summer and she’s a fine big mare, so she might jump a fence too. The (three miles, one furlong) trip suited her, and she kept galloping.”
Bitofajoke gets the Jokers party started
THE Jokers Partnership were also in a party mood after Bitofajokelike (11/4) asserted before the last, but ultimately just held on by a head from Kildinan Prince in the three miles, one furlong Tipperary Maiden Hurdle.
“I nearly got him beaten as I went a bit early, but he puts his head down and really tries for you,” said winning rider Jake Coen.
“After I rode this lad the last day, Eric (McNamara) said he wanted someone to school in the morning and I said I’d go in. I was in there this morning again and got a winner out of it, so it’s brilliant.”
Drop in class
Sunny South East appreciated a drop in class after his fifth to Bambino Fever in the Grade 1 at the Punchestown Festival, when adding to a previous Clonmel success in the Racing Again May 27th (Pro/Am) Flat Race.
Adam Ryan’s mount quickened up nicely from over a furlong out to beat Angelo Dundee by an impressive eight and a half lengths.
“He’s a lovely horse with a very high cruising speed. In a perfect world, something would go on a right good gallop and he could settle in behind,” said Eddie Power, who trains the 5/6 favourite for Sean Dalton.
“He might get a bit of a break now and come back over hurdles during the summer. He jumps very well, so hopefully that won’t be an issue.”