BALLYCONNEELY
MIDLANDS REGION
ERRISMORE Races in Ballyconneely, Clifden, Co. Galway kicked off a midlands region double-header last Saturday and it turned out to be a bonanza day for Tuam rider Rossa Ryan who fired home a Finnerty family five-timer.
Fiddler’s Bridge started Ryan’s winning streak in the 14hh race where they made all the running before holding off the persistent challenge of the Luke Bleahen-ridden Kaylessi.
Ryan repeated the front running tactics in the 15hh race on Snowdrop where he kicked clear of Drive On Georgie and Caoilin Quinn over the final two furlongs.
In the mile race, Omega further proved the advantage of front running tactics over this sharp turning track as they galloped clear from the Emma Sweeney ridden Looks Like Trouble, who ran on to grab the runner-up berth.
Waking Ned added to the tally for Ryan in the featured 12-furlong Errismore Derby, although this time he was content to let someone else do the early donkey-work before striking for home three furlongs out and staying on under pressure to win from Tony’s Trouble.
The five-timer was completed in the 10-furlong race when Mr. Grey, who sat third early, slipped up the inside to lead with three furlongs to travel, staying on well to win from Evan Daly on Northern Hunter.
Racing opened with a 13hh race and Athy, Co. Kildare rider Peter Smithers came through to lead two furlongs out on Tammy’s Fly for his neighbour P.J. Davis.
Pacman took the 14.2hh race in convincing style for Amanda Sweeney as he led from three furlongs out and drew clear under a hands and heels drive from Evan Daly.
Mark Crehan on We May Go reeled in the brave long-time leader Casey’s Dilemma in the final 50 yards of the two-mile race to win for owner Martin Page and deny the local McNamara family a famous win in the process.
However, the McNamaras were to gain some consolation in the concluding maiden race where Osaka stretched clear over the final quarter-mile to win in the hands of Luke Bleahen.
RESULTS
Saturday, August 1st
13HH (1M): 1, P.J. Davis’ TAMMY’S FLY (Peter Smithers); 2, R. Cregg’s WEE BUMBLE (Evan Daly); 3, S. Carey’s TWINKLE (Ben Bleahen).
14HH (1M): 1, J. Finnerty’s FIDDLERS BRIDGE (Rossa Ryan); 2, P.J Cregg’s KAYLESSI (Luke Bleahen); 3, K. Connell’s SHOOT THE BREEZE( Danny Gilligan).
14.2HH (1M): 1, A. Sweeney’s PACMAN (Evan Daly); 2, L. Cregg’s YOU’RE THE ONE (Luke Bleahen); 3, D. Lyons’ HANDY SANDY (Kiki Nowak).
15HH (10F): 1, J. Finnerty’s SNOWDROP (Rossa Ryan); 2, G. Murphy’s DRIVE ON GEORGE (Caoilin Quinn); 3, P. McNamara TREASURE BEACH (Luke Bleahen).
Open Horse (1M): 1, J. Finnerty’s OMEGA (Rossa Ryan); 2, A. Loughlin’s LOOKS LIKE TROUBLE (Emma Sweeney); 3, D. Cregg’s BLACK MAGIC (Luke McAteer).
Errismore Derby (12F): 1, J. Finnerty’s WAKING NED (Rossa Ryan); 2, A. Gallagher’s TONY’S TROUBLE (Caoilin Quinn); 3, D. Cregg’s FULLY LOADED (Luke Bleahen).
Open Horse (2M): 1, M. Page’s WE MAY GO (Mark Crehan); 2, P. McNamara CASEY’S DILEMMA (Luke Bleahen); 3, F. Glynn’s DON’T LOOK BACK (Tadgh Mc Guinness).
Open Horse (10F): 1, J. Finnerty’s MR GREY (Rossa Ryan); 2, G. Faulkner’s NORTHERN HUNTER (Evan Daly); 3, T. McCarthy’s THE RUSSIAN (Luke Bleahen).
Maiden (1M): 1, McNamara Syndicate’s OSAKA (Luke Bleahen), 2, A. Gallagher’s YOUR ACHILLES (Caoilin Quinn); 3, M. Brady’s GOLDEN CYGNET (Evan Daly).