By Dan Walsh
Liz Doyle has been successfully training horses at Kitestown, Crossabeg for almost 25 years, but her biggest training achievement to date was celebrated at Limerick yesterday (Sunday) when she saddled her first Listed Race winner.
Liz’s challenger Ballybawn Belter (6/1) in the champion owner JP McManus colours floored the opposition by 11 lengths for an emphatic victory in the Campion Insurance Tim Duggan Memorial Chase (Listed) ridden by Simon Torrens.
There was a dramatic incident in the race when Conyers Hill (Paul Nolan/Jordan Gainford) crashed out at the second last fence while in contention leaving Ballybawn Belter to come home impressively in a competitive race that was shown live on RTÉ television.
There was compensation for the Nolan/Gainford team as they won the handicap hurdle with Joyau De Thaix (25/1)
This was the third success of the Christmas racing festival for Jordan Gainford. The Caim jockey won on Cumberland River (14/1) at Limerick on Saturday and on Slanagaibhgoleir at Down Royal on Friday. Both were trained by Gordon Elliott.
Sean Flanagan rode a double at Limerick on Friday – Starting Fifteen (7/4 fav) for Eric McNamara and Cousin Kate (9/4 fav.) for Denis Hogan in the handicap hurdle while Sean O’Keeffe, Taghmon, added to the Wexford tally with a victory on Betutea (7/4 fav.) for Willie Mullins.
Duncormick jockey Eoin Staples was also amongst the winners at Down Royal on Friday. He was aboard Boycetown (6/4 fav.) for Gavin Cromwell.
So a good weekend for Wexford racing connections, and more winners are possible as the Christmas racing festival continues today (Monday) at Leopardstown and Limerick.
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