Grand National winner Jimmy Mangan, played his part in the success of neighbouring trainer Eamonn Gallagher's Cailean's Angel in the opening division of the Mallow (Mares) Handicap Hurdle at Cork Racecourse Mallow on Sunday, as the trainers led home a local Conna 1-2.
Trainers Mangan and Gallagher are near neighbours in Conna, Gallagher's winner Cailean's Angel eventually beating Mangan's runner-up Capture The Action by a length and three parts.
“I have the bragging rights in Conna and I actually worked her in Jimmy's (Mangan) the other day, so I'll have to thank Jimmy!” Eamonn said. Eoin Walsh did the steering.
Phillip Enright’s fine season continued as Arthur’s Baby took the handicap hurdle at odds of 11/2 while Denis O’Regan had a 16/1 winner on Sunday at Cork as Pour Sioux won gamely in the opening mares' maiden hurdle.
Midleton rider Paul Townend had a fine week at Galway, taking the 'top jumps jockey' gong with five winners.
There was a double for Willie Mullins and stable jockey Townend on Wednesday as Kaatskill Nap took the maiden hurdle at odds of 7/4 favourite before Bon Retour took the handicap hurdle at odds of 7/2, denying the trainer's nephew Emmet and hot favourite Pilbara. Townend also rode Jon Snow for Mullins to take the novice hurdle on Thursday at Galway sent off the 2/7 favourite.
Willie Mullins took the €80,000 handicap hurdle on Friday with Great White Shark, beating stablemate My Sister Sarah at odds of 5/1.
That was a double for the pair, N'golo having won easily in the opening maiden hurdle at odds of 11/8. Townend is now up to eight winners for the season.
Banteer native Eoin Walsh is making waves and he teamed up with trainer David Dunne as Ballycastle Girl took the staying handicap hurdle at odds of 80/1 Saturday at Kilbeggan.
Joseph O'Brien unveiled quite a smart prospect when Pista bolted up in the fillies' maiden Sunday at Ballybrit under Cahir rider Shane Crosse at odds of 12/1. The pair combined when Galileo Chrome was a hugely impressive winner of the Leopardstown rated race at 4/7 favourite under Crosse, who was full of praise for the horse afterwards on Friday.
Crosse and O'Brien completed a double when Numberoneson took the ten-furlong handicap (4/1) and a fantastic treble for the pair, a four-timer for O'Brien, was completed when 17/2 chance Full Moon Magic won easily in the first division of the 12-furlong handicap.
The top of the apprentice jockeys' table is dominated utterly by the Premier County right now. Ryan has 19 winners in the lead, Crosse has 18, Fethard rider Ben Coen has 15 and Sheridan has 14, himself six winners clear of fifth.
FIXTURES
Leopardstown – Thursday, August 6 (first race 1pm); Sligo – Friday, August 7 (first race 1pm); Tipperary – Friday, August 7 (first race 4.10pm); Cork – Saturday, August 8 (first race 2pm); Kilbeggan – Saturday, August 8 (first race 4.40pm); Curragh – Sunday, August 9 (first race 2.10pm); Downpatrick – Sunday, August 9 (first race 2.30pm).
