By Dan Walsh
Only Jordan Gainford from Caim shared in a local success at Bettyville Park today and it came in the opening race – the Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Hurdle – as Barnaculla, (14/1) scored easily by seven lengths for Kells trainer Michael Mulvany.
Roger McGrath who trains at Aglish on the Waterford-Cork border had his first double with Shanacoole (12/1) ridden by Darragh O’Keeffe in the handicap hurdle and Sweet Street (11/8 fav.), ridden by champion jockey Paul Townend in the Wexford Mares Maiden Hurdle. “That’s my first double on the track. It’s not many days that we would have two running on the one day!”, said a delighted trainer afterwards.
Leading owner John P. McManus always manages to perform well over the Wexford turf and today he enjoyed a double with Buttons and Bows (11/2) trained by Pat Flynn in the handicap chase with Jody McGarvey in the saddle and the well-fancied Glenquinn Castle (7/4) trained by Martin Brassil and ridden by Mark Walsh in the longer handicap chase. Seven year old Glenquinn Castle added to previous victories at Roscommon and Kilbeggan to make it three-in-a-row in impressive style.
Druid’s Altar (10/11 fav) won the novice chase for Joseph O’Brien and Donagh Meyler and Amlad (13/2) was successful for Andrew McNamara and Brian Cooper in the handicap hurdle.
Tote aggregate was €46,843.94 compared with €75,901 last year.
The next races at Bettyville Park is the two-day October festival meeting on Sunday and Monday, October 24th and 25th.
WexfordLocal.com 