The traditional Bank Holiday National Hunt Card at Cork Racecourse provided notable success for Cork trainers Sean Allen and Sean Aherne, while Doneraile Jockey Darragh O’Keeffe also got on the score-sheet.
Cork amateur jockey Finny Maguire landed the concluding bumper for Dermot Weld on Passenger, the well supported 2/1 favourite.
It was also a fruitful bank holiday for Kerry jockey Philip Enright who recorded a double.
Araglin trainer Sean Allen combined with Doneraile jockey Darragh O’Keeffe to land the Fermoy Handicap Hurdle with Cappa Hill.
It only seems like yesterday that I remember Sean as an amateur jockey winning a maiden hurdle at Listowel on Knockaunmore for Kilworth owner/trainer Mary Buttimer.
Today, at Cork his charge Cappa Hill was making his debut in handicap company.
He was given a patient ride by Darragh O’Keeffe.
They struck the front three out and a particularly fluent jump at the last was peripheral.
He responded to pressure – fending off the persistent challenge of Avalo by half a length.
Cappa Hill had finished seven lengths behind today’s runner up in a Wexford maiden hurdle in May.
Today’s shorter trip on better ground with patient tactics was a help.
The key though was a wind operation after that Wexford race which clearly proved beneficial.
The trainer revealed afterwards that the winner is for sale and will make a proper chaser.
The Allen family are well known in racing circles.
Sean’s cousin is Australian-based jockey Johnny Allen who landed the 2021 Cox Plate aboard State of Rest for Joseph O’Brien.
That race is the premier weight for age contest in Australia.
Johnny’s father Mick is a well known racegoer.
Sean Allen is primarily involved in farming and described training ten horses as an expensive pursuit.
Darragh Allen Sean’s brother, is also a well known rider.
The Border Boy completed a double for Phillip Enright in Division Two of the Follow Us On Instagram Handicap Hurdle.
Enright combined with Conna trainer Sean Aherne.
The winner wasn’t neglected in the market backed into 17/2 from 16/1.
Enright was always handy and assumed control three out.
He kicked for touch on the run to the final flight and stayed on strongly for a two and three quarters of a length victory.
Enright initiated his double in the opening Mallow Mares Maiden Hurdle.
Philip dictated from flagfall on Love At Sea who gave her hurdles plenty of daylight.
The uneasy 11/8 market leader Kabylia made significant headway turning in and loomed large, travelling ominously well under Conor Stone Walsh.
She jumped into the lead past the long time leader at the second last.
At this juncture favourite backers were on good terms with themselves.
Kabylia held a length advantage from Love At Sea at the final flight and appeared set for victory. However Enright galvanised Love At Sea on the inside rail and she responded gamely to get back up and won going away by half a length.
The winner was nicely supported from 4/1 into 5/2. Edward Power who trains the mare is based at a yard near Athy, where Paul Deegan used to train.
Edward clearly likes Cork; his stable star Sunny South West won his maiden hurdle here last month.
He’s the horse that landed a gamble in a Clonmel bumper from 33/1 into 15/2 back in March.
That Clonmel win gave Edward his first winner since getting his restricted trainer’s license.
Today’s winner will make a lovely chaser in time.
The €17,000.00 Follow Us On Twitter Hurdle only attracted two runners.
The pair were difficult to separate in the market. Smooth Tom was the marginal favourite 4/5 finding support from 5/4. Mozzies Sister eased to Evens from 8/11.
The Lombardstown jockey Alan O’Sullivan fresh from Galway glory set out to make all on Mozzies Sister.
Smooth Tom didn’t jump well, wasn’t particularly fluent either at the last.
However, Smooth Tom quickened up on the run in to register a length and a half success for Cian Quirke.