In-form Athea trainer enjoys success at Killarney and Downpatrick

ATHEA trainer Eoin McCarthy and Gary Noonan struck with the six-year-old Ollie La Ba Ba in the two and three-quarter-mile handicap hurdle at Downpatrick on Monday last.

Owned by Sean Maguire, the 7/2 chance led well before half-way and pulled away from the final hurdle to win by six lengths from the Willie Mullins-trained 5/4 favourite River Tara which was ridden by Paul Townend.

Ballingarry jockey Billy Lee reached the 50-winner mark for the season when partnering the Paddy Twomey-trained Nelda to land the eight-furlong maiden at Killarney on Tuesday.

The 4/9 favourite made all the running and went clear inside the final two furlongs to win by an easy seven and a half lengths from the James Barrett-trained 11/4 chance Free Flow.

Lee was on the mark again at Killarney on Wednesday where the Henry de Bromhead-trained Chutzpal ran away with the concluding 14-furlong handicap. He made most of the running on the Pimlico Racing Ireland-owned 2/1 favourite which went clear inside the final two furlongs to record a five and a half-length success over the John Murphy’s 9/2 chance Chatterbox.

The seven-year-old Redwood Queen justified short odds to win the two and a half-mile mares’ hurdle for Ballingarry trainer Charles Byrnes and his son Philip at Killarney on Thursday.

Owned by Cathal Byrnes, the 5/6 favourite led at halfway and made the best of her way home to score by four lengths from the Gordon Elliott-trained Instant Tendance, a 4/1 shot, her fifth success for current connections and her sixth in all.

Eoin McCarthy and Gary Noonan won the handicap hurdle over the same distance with the 6/1 shot Moyvilla Lass. The six-year-old went to the front before the final hurdle and pulled away to win by six lengths from the Ken Budds-trained Craic Eile in the colours of owner Martin Coyne.

At Leopardstown on Thursday evening, Shanagolden jockey Chris Hayes landed a 12/1 winner as the Dermot Weld-trained Swelter scored on her debut in the eight-furlong fillies’ maiden.

Owned and bred by Juddmonte, the two-year-old came from a little of the pace to lead inside the final furlong and she ultimately impressed with a one and three-parts of a length win over Joseph O'Brien’s 11/4 favourite Valencia.

Bruree-based trainer Enda Bolger won the two-mile one-furlong novice chase with the Darragh O'Keeffe-ridden Solitary Man at Killarney on Friday.

A 3/1 chance, the six-year-old scored by an easy eight and a half lengths from Gavin Cromwell’s 12/1 shot Je T’ai Porte with Henry de Bromhead’s 2/1 favourite a length away in third place.

Upcoming Fixtures

Ballinrobe – Tuesday, July 23 (First Race 4.45pm)

Naas – Wednesday, July 24 (First Race 4.45pm)

Wexford – Wednesday, July 24 (First Race 2.28pm)

Wexford – Thursday, July 25 (First Race 5.35pm)

Leopardstown – Thursday, July 25 (First Race 5.15pm)

Kilbeggan – Friday, July 26 (First Race 5.15pm)

Cork – Friday, July 26 (First Race 4.50pm)

Gowran Park – Saturday, July 27 (First Race 2.17pm)