All-Ireland winner has first track success

Paul O’Flynn, who trains locally at Ballyclough and won an Senior Football All-Ireland medal with Cork in 2010, recorded his first racecourse success as Pops Well took the Glenview & Rathbarry Studs Mares Maiden Hunters Chase.

Ridden by Ciaran Fennessy the daughter of Dr Massini won three point-to-points since September of last year, with her most recent success coming at Knockanard in February.

Back on the racecourse today for the first time since June of last year, the seven-year-old was sent off an 8/1 chance.

She made all the running, and kept on well in the straight, seeing off the challenge of Chestnut Friar (12/1), for Martin Hassett and Colman Sweeney, by three and a quarter lengths. Most Chaste was sent off the 11/4 favourite and she dead-heated for third with Theatre Princess (12/1).

O'Flynn, who has had six point-to-point winners, said afterwards: "I got the same enjoyment out of winning that as I did winning the All-Ireland!

"I’m working with horses full-time now, and I might go back to football next year, but I’m concentrating on the horses for the time being.

"This mare likes to run fresh and we knew she was in good form, she was working well at home.

"Ciaran rides out with me and I’m so lucky to have him. She’ll be kept going for the summer but she'll have a small break first."

SUSPENSIONS

There was sting in the tale for Fennessy as he was given a one day ban by the Stewards for using his whip with excessive frequency aboard the winner, while Colman Sweeney was give a two day ban for his ride on Chestnut Friar who finished second.

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes