McKiernan's Cappacon making up for lost time

A decent point-to-pointer for the Flavins in Tramore a few years ago before being sidelined for 763 days at one stage, Cappacon is making up for lost time, doubling up in the first split of the Menapia Motors Renault Opportunity Handicap Hurdle at Wexford.

Following up on a Sligo success from 18 days back, the easy to back Cappacon (5/1 joint favourite) was looking good from some way out and eventually defeated Oskar High by a length and three parts.

Winning trainer Oliver McKiernan said: "We are delighted. Barry (Browne, winning rider) said the little cut in the ground helped him. I thought it might be more against him the way he ran the last day. He travelled well and jumped well, it was a good battle in the end. 

"I know Norman Lee (trainer of Oskar High), so the two of us were shouting together, but one of us had to win and one had to be second. We were lucky to be first today.

"He won two point-to-points so he should get further. He has had a lot of problems but he seems okay now, and touch wood he'll be alright tomorrow. If everything is alright he could go next weekend to Listowel for another handicap hurdle.

"Barry gave him a lovely ride from start to finish. He jumped well the whole way. He missed one the last day at Sligo at a very critical spot, but he came back on the bridle again and won. He would have won easier there had he not made that mistake.

"He had a fair battle today. Norman's horse was in front and he had to catch him and go by him. Norman's horse wasn't giving up. They are two grand horses."

The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer reported to the Stewards that Cailean's Angel trained by Eamonn Francis Gallagher was found to have blood at the nose following exercised induced pulmonary haemorrhage.

D.J. McInerney, rider of Cailean's Angel trained by Eamonn Francis Gallagher, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount burst a blood vessel.

Under the provisions of Rule 90 (iv), the Stewards allowed Realta Rathcabhain trained by Desmond McDonogh, to run on receipt of the trainer's written assurance that the horse was correctly vaccinated in accordance with Rule 91.

(DM & EM)