Icelip and Sean Flanagan© Photo Healy Racing
Tramore regular Icelip registered his third win at the Co Waterford venue today, landing the Win Big With Jackpot Races 3-6 Handicap Hurdle for trainer David O’Brien and under jockey Sean Flanagan.
The son of Urban Ocean is normally ridden from off the pace in his races and similar waiting tactics were applied successfully today as Flanagan crept his way through the field to eventually edge past Tintown Robin at the last, for a half length win.
Today was Icelip’s ninth start and third win at the venue and afterwards trainer O’Brien stated “he probably hit the front a bit soon because he started having a look and if you don't hold him up, it's race over but Sean gave him a great ride. He will be kept to local tracks and is a great fun horse.”
He added “it's great for John 'Bubbles' Grant (member of the Fastey For Fun Syndicate) who had his 90th birthday party on Friday. He’s from Waterford and has Double Windsor with me as well. He was singing and dancing Friday night, out until 4 o'clock!”
Well-backed 7/4 favourite Balinaboola unfortunately suffered a fatal injury at the first hurdle.
By Tom Weekes, quotes from Donal Murphy
