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 start, keeping up the gallop to dominate by six lengths.


The triumph was well gotten by the Cork crowd, with the trainer a little regional attire 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 wouldn't wish to be concerning this race without a run.


"Today was the strategy and the guy on his back - what can I say, he was brave as a lion all over. Even when he was 5 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 local course. I have 8 horses and my sibling Darragh, who is friendly with Darragh (O'Keeffe), rides out for me and I have a lot of local support too."


Lonesome Boatman at Cork (Thomas Weekes/PA)


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


Darragh O'Keeffe enjoyed a treble on the card, with his very 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 simply under three lengths too helpful for Grey Jude, leaving fitness instructor Henry de Bromhead considering a step 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 as well. 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 done absolutely nothing wrong so hopefully he'll keep advancing.


"There aren't many alternatives during Christmas so he might run in Leopardstown's Grade One beginner over two miles. I believe nice ground is important to him."


De Bromhead and O'Keeffe likewise 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 begun a lot and while it is a little challenging to settle him, it isn't a massive task and when I talked to Sean (O'Keeffe) in advance, he understood exactly what I wanted. You just need to add to heels and then provide him the reins, and Sean rode a beautiful race.


"The horse was purchased for small cash and well done to JD Moore who discovered him for us. He had actually been placed in bumpers for a smaller sized fitness instructor in England, we paid 12 grand for him and the plan was simply to win a race with him.


"He'll get a couple of pounds in the handicap now however in some cases with a horse like this, there is nothing wrong with having a high ranking as you can box away racing in smaller and choose up cash."


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 need it however I wasn't taking any possibilities. 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, champion trainer) horses have yet to reappear, to start with we'll delight in today and stress over that later."