Tom Weekes
Envoi Allen team combine for Cork double
Gorgeous Tom and Darragh O'Keeffe
© Photo Healy Racing
Trainer Henry De Bromhead and jockey Darragh O'Keeffe followed up yesterday's Grade 1 Nicholson Chase success with a Cork double today, as Gorgeous Tom (13/8f) landed the Grade 3 Paddy Power Betting Irish EBF Novice Chase.
The pair won yesterday's top-level Down Royal race with three-time Cheltenham festival winner Envoi Allen and today began by landing the opener with Jane Eire before Gorgeous Tom completed the double.
Gorgeous Tom, a six-year-old son of Champs Elysees, raced with the pace and having led at the second-last, finished well to comfortably beat Monbeg Park by 5.5 lengths.
De Bromhead reported “obviously he had a mishap (when falling) in Tipperary which was frustrating but he was back on track there and Darragh was brilliant on him. He came well recommended and while he wasn't a bad hurdler, we hoped he'd step forward for a fence.
“There is the Drinmore (novice Grade 1 at Fairyhouse, early December) for him so we'll see and enjoy today.”