By Dan Walsh at Bettyville Park
Leading jockey Rachael Blackmore was in brilliant form at Wexford this evening where she recorded a winning favourite double on Watch The Weather (1/1 fav) for Ray Cody’s stable in the handicap hurdle and Coole Arcade (15/8 fav) for the Waterford stable of Henry de Bromhead in the handicap chase.
The Brouder brothers had a winner each. First up in the maiden hurdle was Bold Approach (9/2) owned and bred by Mrs Jim Bolger with Gearoid Bruder in the saddle beat Willie Mullins’ High City Roller (Brian Hayes) by a short head. Winning trainer Brendan Duke said afterwards; “That win is for Paddy Bolger (from Oylegate who passed away recently). He was a terrific friend of mine and is an unbelievable loss to the Bolger family and to humanity, so that’s for him.”
There was a Wexford winner in the bumper. Lodilomoco (7/2) bred at Oylegate by Tim Nolan, who was on hand to congratulate the winning owner, Lorcan Higgins from Askamore and Tom Harney was the winning rider. The verdict was two and a quarter lengths.
Kieran Buckley, born in England with strong Clonroche connections, rode his second winner since arriving in Ireland, on the John McConnell trained Battle of Benburb (6/1) in the handicap hurdle.
Veteran Tipperary trainer Edward O’Grady saddled Act Of God (3/1) to win the beginner’s chase with Darragh O’Keeffe on board.
Gavin Brouder made in a Wexford double for the brothers on Val O’Brien’s Avec Espoir (33/1) in the opportunity handicap chase.
It was a very exciting evening’s racing – themed Ladies Day – held in brilliant summer conditions and the attendance was one of the largest seen at Bettyville for some time.
The four finalists in the Ladies Day competition were Anne Marie Blake (overall winner), Veronica Murphy, Melody Redmond and Sharon Curtin. Lorraine Booth was guest judge was Lorraine Booth and the sponsors were Lyrath Estate Hotel, Kilkenny, and New Mood.
The Tote aggregate was €120,884.24 compared to €80,840.25 last year. The next race meeting at Bettyville Park takes place on Saturday, September 3rd.
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