Cappoquin trainer Patrick Duffy was celebrating at Tipperary on Thursday, where Courtin Bb landed the second division of the 3m handicap hurdle. Duffy bred, owns and trains the nine-year-old which scored a 10-length success under Mikey Hamill at odds of 11/2.
Tallow trainer John Morrison landed the 2m4f handicap chase at Wexford on Friday, with Arch Melody which he also owns and bred.
The well-fancied 6/1 chance went a couple of lengths clear before the final fence and maintained the advantage all the way to the line to beat the David O’Brien-trained Double Windsor under Sean O’Keeffe.
While Cahir apprentice Nathan Crosse was on board as the Willie McCreery-trained Sweetest Taboo won the 5f handicap for the second successive year.
A 10/1 chance this time, she was never far off the pace and scored despite jumping the roadway inside the final furlong.
Cork jockeys made the best of starts at Bellewstown on Saturday night when winning the opening two races.
Davy Russell was first up with the Gordon Elliott-trained Amor Verdadero in the mares’ maiden hurdle, the 3/1 chance winning well from the Mags Mullins-trained Cotton End.
Darragh O’Keeffe had to work a little harder for his success on the Eamonn Gallagher-trained Cailean’s Angel in the opportunity handicap hurdle.
A first winner on the racecourse for the Conna trainer since October 2013, the six-year-old was sent off a 7/2 chance in the colours of owner Vincent Sheehan and won by half a length from Gone Galavanting.
Paul Townend enjoyed three winners over the week. He combined with Willie Mullins to win the Grade 3 Grimes Hurdle with Thomas Hobson at Tipperary on Thursday.
Soon at the head of affairs, the even money favourite survived a mistake at the second last hurdle but picked up well when challenged by his main market rival Band Of Outlaws after the final flight to win by a neck.
The champion jockey got a second winner in the 2m4f maiden hurdle when he partnered the Edward O’Grady-trained Rasiym, a 5/2 chance to a six-length success from 6/4 favourite Fightfortheroses in the colours of Brian Comer.
Townend rode a second winner for Mullins when successful at Wexford on Friday night with Poker D’Ainay in the 2m4f maiden hurdle. The John Brennan-owned 5/4 favourite ran out an easy winner.
Trainer Aidan Fogarty enjoyed his second winner of the week as he landed the opening median auction maiden with Croughavouke which is owned and bred by his father Joe.
Wayne Lordan was in the saddle as the 6/1 chance beat the Jessica Harrington-trained Pixel Power by three parts of a length.
Upcoming Fixtures
Leopardstown – Thursday, July 11 (First race 5.50); Cork – Friday, July 12 (First race 5.40); Limerick – Saturday, July 13 (First race 2.45); Navan – Saturday, July 13 (First race 1.55); Fairyhouse – July 14 (First race 2.00); Sligo – July 14 (First race 1.45).
