IT wasn’t his first time to bag a hat-trick but one got the sense that Sean Flanagan particularly enjoyed his 25/1 treble at Cork.
Two of his winners were for fellow Wexford man, Paul Nolan, and they set the ball rolling with Palamon in the opener.
The Capital Racing Syndicate-owned youngster, a 2023 recruit off the flat from the Richard Hannon yard, found more for pressure than a couple of rivals, that had shaped well until push came to shove in the finish of the Paddy Mac Maiden Hurdle.
Palamon and second home Trustyourinstinct (11/10) were untidy with their hurdling late on. At the finish, Palamon (2/1) had a length and three-quarters in hand over the favourite.
“He has a flat pedigree and got his ground today - it is proper good to firm, and he has jumped and battled well,” remarked the jockey-cum-pilot.
Double
Flying on from here for the action at Killarney the following day, the hard-working and much-admired New Ross figure was delighted at then bringing up a double for the Nolan stable aboard Kay Browne and Anne Coffey’s Maxi Mac Gold in the Racing Again May 21st Maiden Hurdle.
The even-money market-leader, equipped with a first-time tongue strap, relished the step-up to an extended three miles to account for Find A Fortune by two and a quarter lengths.
Fresh from a productive Punchestown Festival, the man up top, in the valet business of course now too, stated: “It is a brilliant start to the season for Paul and James (Nolan) and their horses are in a good vein of form.
“They have some really nice horses and more importantly have really good owners who can purchase them, and I’m happy to be riding for them.
“This is a horse you’d look forward to jumping a fence with.”
Otis justifies Mullins confidence
ANOTHER south-eastern yard benefitted from a man-in-form taking the reins, as Sean Flanagan brought Master Otis (10/3) home three lengths to the good from Sequoiaspirit for Tom Mullins in the Buy Tickets Online At www.corkracecourse.ie Rated Novice Hurdle.
Much focus post race was on the bad mistake of favourite Ossie’s Lodge, two flights from home, which ended his chance and saw him place seventh. However. that shouldn’t take anything from the performance of Rory Larkin’s progressive grey up front.
“He has been working very well since Fairyhouse and my horses are an awful lot better now and the yard is in better form now. Sean Flanagan is great to have and gave him a lovely ride,” reflected Mullins.
“I’d say he’ll handle any ground, we told the owner to have a few pounds on so thank God it worked out.”
Mullins himself drew praise later in the day, when champion conditional of 2021/2022, Jack Foley, rode his first winner since June 2023 on Liam Cusack’s 14/1 shot Glencourt Valley in the Fraser Rutherford Handicap Hurdle.
Supported me
Foley said: “I’d be at nothing if I didn’t have Tom Mullins by my side as he has supported me and in fairness Liam (Cusack) said he would take me for a morning a week and told me he’d give me a fair chance, and he has.
“I broke my arm last June and missed seven months and found it very hard to get going again.”
The John Murray-owned Glencourt Valley had to be tough to get the better of morning market mover Yulong Voice by half a length.
Unfortunately for Cusack’s Co Laois outfit, their other runner in this extended three miler, Red Coral House, went wrong at the back of the second last and had to be pulled up.
Inquiry
The stewards had to deliberate following the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Maiden Hurdle with highly-strung 50/1 chance Jolie Jewel confirmed the victor after the inquiry.
Officials were looking into interference at the last and it saw Donagh Meyler, rider of runner-up, Cast A Spell, state that he received a little bump, which didn’t affect him, when the winner took a look and went left under Philip Enright. In truth, Jolie Jewel was well worth her two and a half-length win.
Enright reported afterwards on the William Slattery-owned five-year-old: “She is highly strung and can be hard on herself.
“Between Brian (McMahon, winning trainer) and John (Staunton), who helps him, they switched her off as well as they could.”
VERY much in the news at Downpatrick last August when landing a big gamble, Anyway got himself back on track after two ordinary efforts since, in the Follow Us On Twitter Handicap Hurdle.
Anyway (8/1), in the hands of Carl Millar, got the job done nicely by two lengths from Ring O Roses.
“It had gone too soft for him at Listowel (last September) and I don’t know what happened at Fairyhouse (October) as he never travelled,” said successful handler Ken Budds on his father Pat’s German-bred.
“He has been in great order and it was Carl’s first time riding for me. We’ll go for another hurdle but can also go over fences as he has schooled over them. Hopefully he’ll have a nice summer.”
Mullins bumper
For the second time in three days there was a bumper winner for Emmet Mullins and John Gleeson when Churchfield Sunset justified favouritism at the first time of asking in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF 4-y-o Fillies INH Flat Race.
The Conor Dermot O’Brien-owned and Beeches Stud-bred even-money shot is a half-sister to star novice hurdler Ballyburn, and she put her stamp on proceedings here a furlong out on the way to a two and a half-length victory over Sellerna Bay.
“Her breeding is great and it was important to get that winners’ tag on her at the first time of asking,” said Mullins, on the mark with Gleeson at Tipperary the previous Thursday courtesy of Jackstell.