BEN Coen completed a Clonmel double on Thursday where the jockey partnered the opening winner for his employer Johnny Murtagh and won the traditionally prestigious Camida Advantage-sponsored Tipperary Cup on En Or.

Coen began by winning the Suir Blueway Handicap on Murtagh’s Bizarre Dreams (5/2 favourite), which led over a furlong out and defeated Step To Somewhere by three-quarters of a length.

Murtagh trains the winner for owner Mark Dobbin and afterwards the classic winner commented: “She came out of her last race very well, it was a good setup for her today and everything went very well. She got to the front well, but idled a little bit when she got there. 

“I thought at the start of the year she would win a race or two for us, but it has taken a while, although I’m glad to get her off the mark. We’ll keep her busy from now until the end of the year.”

Coen won the featured Camida Advantage Tipperary Cup on En Or (8/1), which scored for trainer Cathy O’Leary and owners John and Helen Hartnett.

Held up off the pace, Coen produced En Or to lead on the inside inside the final furlong, comfortably beating Jabbar by two and a half lengths.

Trainer O’Leary, who has recently taken over the care of En Or from her brother Tony Martin, was on lead-up duty with delighted owner John Hartnett commenting: “We were excited for the race, it was a great run and Ben played the cards he had planned to.

“The horse ran out of steam at Galway the last day, but I think he lost a few pounds and is doing well now. He came in really well at the end of today’s race.”

Expound continued an excellent recent run of form when landing the Comida To Come Handicap for trainer Denis Hogan, jockey Joey Sheridan and owners the Corner House Syndicate. 

The 15/8 favourite had previously won twice already this summer and following today’s success, Hogan reported: “He was very good but was probably only doing enough in front, with his ears pricked. He’s been a great servant for us this year. 

“It took him a while to get his head in front, but it looks like the lads are after finding the key to him, making the running.

“We just spoke about where we might go next and we’ll go wherever we can get nice ground.”

THERE was drama before the running of the St Patrick’s Well Handicap as a tree fell on the parade ring and while horses were circling and people had congregated in that general area, nobody was harmed. 

Winner Barrogstown Girl (11/1) was already in the parade ring and while the horse-exit was blocked by the fallen tree, the 13 runners exited through the human archway, before making their way to the start. 

Ridden by Neve Bennett, Barrogstown Girl won eased down by a half length from Jeaniemacaroney and with the parade taken out of commission for the remainder of the day, returned to a pre-parade ring for the presentation.

Winning trainer Jarlath Fahey commented: “Her form was good - we were a little worried about coming down to a tricky track, but she handled it well. She was down a bit in distance, but we know she is a fairly sharp filly and were happy with her. She is doing her job well and Neve gave her a very cool ride. She is owned and bred by my brother Michael and it is great that he is here as he was on holidays the last day she won.”

Here comes the Bride

Tipperary-trained and Josh Williamson-partnered Curious Bride (7/1) won the concluding John Thomas McNamara Series (QR) Handicap for Eamonn O’Connell and the Sheoda Racing Partnership.

Williamson produced Curious Bride from mid-division to lead inside the final furlong, beating Molly Hall by two and three-quarter lengths, with trainer O’Connell later stating:“She is consistent, in fairness to her, and as long as the ground stays good she’ll stay running. She will run on the all-weather for the winter and I’d say she will be covered then next year. 

“Eoin and Darragh Godfrey are the two members of the (Sheoda Racing) partnership and this is their first horse. They are hurling for South Liberties tonight, so aren’t here. Josh knows Eoin as he works in Gordon Elliott’s and this is his first ride for me.”

RACING began with two maiden races, with Frankel-sired Improvista (11/2) winning the opening Clonmel Supporters Club-sponsored fillies’ race for trainer Jessica Harrington, jockey Shane Foley and owner Zhang Yuesheng, despite drifting left inside the final furlong.

Afterwards Harrington’s daughter Kate commented: “She was not right after her last run and it is great to get her back. We had taken her very slowly, but she had been working very well at home. 

“She has a group entry at Gowran (Group 3 Denny Cordell Lavarack & Lanwades Stud Fillies Stakes) later this month, so could easily take her chance in that.”

Golden Circet (11/4) was another winner to hang left in the closing stages of the Slievenamon Maiden and while he surrendered plenty ground, managed to score by one and three-quarter lengths, under jockey Billy Lee.

Genuine

Owner/trainer Willie McCreery reported: “Billy (Lee) said he was coming across towards the stable yard, but was still going forwards. He is a grand little horse, is the most genuine quiet little fella you ever met for a colt and ideally he’d be for someone as a country stallion, as he is very correct. 

“I don’t know where we’ll go now, I don’t think the handicapper can really do too much as it wasn’t a top-grade maiden. He might go into the October Sales.”