By Dan Walsh at Bettyville Park
Three victories for Meath trainer Gordon Elliott and a first racecourse success for Peter Smithers on his first ride in a steeplechase were the highlights at this evening’s race meeting held in summer conditions at Bettyville Park.
Elliott, who wasn’t present, saddled Dartington (16/1) to win the novice hurdle with Corey McGivern up; added number two with the red-hot favourite Call Me Lyreen (1/4 fav.) with Conor McNamara in the saddle, held off the strong challenge of Trans Wood, trained at New Ross by Gordon Doyle, by four lengths in the novice chase and made it three in the bumper by ‘a nose’ with Silver Breeze (2/1 fav.) ridden by Harry Swan.
Stake And Onions (Gary Noonan) won the mares maiden hurdle for Eoin McCarthy from Limerick and in third place was Talkingthetalk from Leonard Whitmore’s Blackwater yard.
Chapel Street (4/1) from the Castlemartyr yard of Joseph Hennessy was the five and a half lengths winner of the Slaney River Ladies Handicap Hurdle with top rider Jody Townend on board.
There was another Cork winner in the Opportunity Handicap Chase where the Robert Tyner trained Nelly’s Memory (6/1) prevailed by one and three-quarter lengths for jockey Ambrose McCurtin.
Peter Smithers from Monasterevan enjoyed his first success on Padraig Roche’s Outside The Door (8/1) after the last fence fall of leader Mica Malpic and scored by six and a half lengths with Philip Rothwell’s Walking The Walk finishing third for the local yard at Tinahely.
The Tote aggregate was €79.523. 22 (7 races) compared with €97,008.31 (8 races) last year. The next fixture at Bettyville Park is scheduled for Friday evening, July 1st.
WexfordLocal.com 