By Dan Walsh at Bettyville Park
Local jockey Jordan Gainford who landed a victory on Definite Plan for Gordan Elliott in a Grade 2 handicap chase at Cheltenham on Saturday followed up with a double at Wexford this afternoon and recorded the 50th winner of his career.
The magic 50 came on the Paul Nolan trained Dympnas Well in thewww.horsehappyvets.com Handicap Hurdle. Afterwards Nolan said; She was a bit disappointing the last day in Listowel. Jordan gave her a great ride and he is just an exceptional talent. Today was the first day we claimed off her and that helped as well.”
Jordan Gainford rode his 51st winner before the day was out following a pulsating finish to the Jim and Kay Whitty Memorial Handicap Chase getting Cushinstown’s Finest, owned and bred by Liam Carty of New Ross, home first for Kiltealy trainer Colin Bowe.
Afterwards Gainford said; “She is a real stayer, but on that ground and with the stiff finish it suited her today. It’s great for her owner Liam Carty who is a big supporter of the yard. I’ve three winners left now on my 5lb claim.”
JJ Slevin and Jordan Gainford grew up a few fields away from each other and both were in the winner’s circle. JJ Slevin won the mares hurdle on Linar Display, the first in a double for Carrick-on-Suir trainer Joseph O’Brien. Shane Fitzgerald rode Fire Attack to victory in the beginners chase to give the O’Brien stable a double.
Gordon Elliott and Jack Kennedy were successful with Rodaniche in the maiden hurdle. Seamus Fahey from Monasterevin saddled Cullaghs Star (Simon Torens up) to win the Michael Moore Car Sales maiden hurdle. And Kicking Princess ridden by Gar Noonan for Eoin McCarthy, Limerick, took the spoils in the bumper.
Heavy overnight rain left the track on the soft side, but there were no complaints and the fixture was run off safely in front of a fine crowd with a strong family presence.
The Tote aggregate was €89,623.98 compared with €61,573.00 last year.
Bettyville Park first opened seventy years ago – October 15th 1951 – and the final meeting of 2021 takes place tomorrow – Bank Holiday Monday – with the first of seven races off at 1.10pm.
The feature race is the BetVictor MW Hickey Memorial Chase, worth €22,500 and the richest race run at Wexford, won last year for Henry de Bromhead and Rachael Blackmore with Minella Indo who went on to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup last March. Weather indications is that it is going to be a pleasant dry day for October.
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